History of Fans

Origin of the Hand Fan

The origin of this common and special artifact is quite uncertain. It can be assumed that the origin of the fan can be found in prehistoric times, when humans discover fire and use any kind of object to blow air and keep it alive. Thanks to artistic representations of this object, we know that fans were used by Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. From Egypt, the oldest known representation its in the head of a ceremonial hammer that can be seen at the Asmolean Museum of Oxford. It belonged to "Narmer", that around 3000 B.C. and for the first time united high and low Egypt. This representation shows a group of royal servants, two of them are slaves carrying fans. Egyptian fans were big, fixed, and semicircular shaped, made with feathers and with long handles. Their function was double: blowing air and scaring away insects. As time passed by, fans become an ornamental object with a distinctive meaning. Other artistic representations on which fans appear can be found on the Beni-Hasan tombs, from the XII The dynasty (1791 - 1796 back.), Rameseo sculptural works (XIX Th dynasty) and mural paintings of Medinet-Habu (XX Th dynasty). Greeks and Romans used fans, a proof of that fact are the many literary quotes from diverse classic authors. For instance, Euripides on his Hellenic tragedy tells about a eunuch that fans Menelao's wife while she sleeps with the aim of insects not to disturb her. Other authors that mention the fan are: Menandro, Ovidio, Tibulo or Propercio on their works. Greeks had fans of several kinds: the "miosoba", the "ripis" ans the "psigma". Romans had some kind of fans as well. "Flabellum" was the name for the most common one and "muscaria" was the fan used to scare flies. China's centennial fan tradition starts at Emperor Hsien Yuan's time (about 2697 B.C.). A legend claims that the invention of the fan belongs to the daughter of Kan-Si. The story tells that during a mask ball and to avoid heat, she shacked very fast her mask very close to her face, so male guests could not recognize her. Her gesture was imitated by the rest of the ladies

attending to the ball. Some authors declare that the earliest archaeological proof of the existence of the fan belongs to the VIII Th century for the fixed fan in China and to the IX century for the folding fan in Japan. In Occident, during middle Ages, the fan or "flabellum" was used during the Christian liturgy to avoid insects and refresh the believers. After the XIV Th century the flabellum fall into disuse in the roman church (except solemn masses and processions until it finally disappears after Vatican Council II), despite of this, its use was kept in Greek churches and Armenia where it was named "Rhipidion". The fan was also known by Aztecs and Incas. Between the gifts given to Hernan Corts by Moctezuma six feather fans were included. In Spain the earliest references about the fan appear at the chronicles of Pedro the first of Aragn (XIV Th century). Another references of this object appear at the inventory of goods of the painter Bartolom Abella (1429), the inventory of Prince of Viana, and the inventory of Juana the Queen in 1565 (known as Juana the madness). The fans described were semicircular fixed ones. A feather fan was included in the gifts given by Christopher Columbus to the Catholic Queen Elisabeth after his first trip to America.

Origin of the Electric Fan

The earliest electric fans appeared in the early 1880s. The fan was basically a blade attached to an electric motor. The development of the fields of Electrical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering paralleled each other in the industry of electric fans. The early electric motors were bipolar. They were direct current, with all exposed workings. The early blades were adapted from the windmill, with usually six pie shaped flat leafs of brass. Speed control was attained using resistance. In almost all cases resistance wire was used, and in a few cases, the light bulb was used a resistance. These early fans were either a novelty, or an expensive appliance, used in large offices or wealthy homes. After Teslas work on Alternating Current motors, most makers moved toward that standard. In the early 1890s, motors were becoming enclosed. Fan cages appeared. The cage was not there to protect the user, as much as to protect the expensive fan and blade from damage. The blade designs remained six wings. The Alternating Current motor was controlled using induction, rather than resistance.

Around 1900, blade designs began to change, along with increased competition. The earliest oscillating fans began to appear. First they were wind driven, and by 1904 the first mechanical oscillating fan appeared. By 1906, all electric motor theory was done. The only improvement on motor design would come in the 1930s. The biggest improvement in motors was improved insulation for copper wires used to wind motors. Until the early 1890s, these wires were wrapped with silk, and later cotton covered wire as insulation. An enamel insulation improved, smaller wires could be used, and thus smaller motors made. By 1910, most fan makers were using rounded edge blades, if not designs they had patented themselves. All major manufacturers were making some form or wind driven, or mechanical oscillator. Motors were all enclosed by now as well as smaller in size. The decade of 1910-1920 brought major changes. Around 1910, electric fans were being made for residential use. These Residential Fans were made for the bedroom. They had six wings, and ran at a slower speed for quietness. Fans were still a major appliance. By 1912, makers were able to spin brass housings on small fans. Shortly afterward, they could spin or stamp steel for motors as well as bases. As World War 1 neared, there were brass shortages, due to the need for brass in ammunition. By the end of this decade, brass cages had been replaced by steel cages. All blades were now rounded in shape. Motors shrank from 8 diameter down to 5. Almost all makers used black as their color on the fan bodies, but General Electric went to a deep green color. By 1920, refrigerated air was appearing in commercial buildings. Fan makers began to market fans more towards residential use, as the new refrigerated displaced their commercial markets. Makers began experimenting with design changes. Two competitors introduced fans designed as radio speakers, in a brown wood-grain finish. Late that decade, General Electric introduced the overlapping blade, which operated much more quietly. These early blades also were made of aluminum, rather than steel. Aluminum was being used more now in manufacturing. Early in 1930, a young woman named Jane Evans came to St. Louis to do some interior design work. She was introduced to the President of Emerson Electric. She proposed a radical stylish design. In 1932 Emerson introduced the Silver Swan. It used a blade made of aluminum, but was based on a yacht propeller design. The design was a major success, and probably helped Emerson survive the Depression. More and more aluminum was used for blades and designs varied greatly. Many colors were offered including Ivory, Forest Green, Dark Brown, Chrome, Nickel, Motors received their last important change. Emerson introduced the capacitor start motor. These started faster, ran quieter and were much more efficient. Motors were now as small as 4 in diameter and could propel a 16 blade made of aluminum. Cast aluminum blades appeared, using the latest aeronautical designs. In the 1940s we were a Nation at war. Fan makers used their capacity to help with the war effort. Few if any electric fans were made for the market. There were no design changes. Production restarted after war ended, with the same designs as pre-war.

By 1950, air conditioning was becoming available for homes. A few makers offered fans for homes with wooden cases, to blend with the televisions. The introduction of residential refrigerated air was the onset of decline for the table fan. During the decade of the 1950s, not much changed in fans. Cost cutting took over design as a selling point. Cheaper fans were made. Some used nylon for gears, versus brass or steel. Colors introduced were Grey, Aqua, Turquoise, as well as wrinkled finishes in paint. By the 1960s, most makers began to phase out their fan lines. By the late 1960s, the last of the good fans were being made.

Fan Industry in Pakistan

Electric Fans Manufacturing Industry of Pakistan Gujrat was started in 1940s by few enterprises. These people faced many hardships and ups and downs in their way to make this fan industry the most efficient industry of Pakistan. This is an industry which is totally developed by the people of Gujrat Pakistan without any help or assistance of any local or foreign organization. The involvement of Government of Pakistan in the development of this industry is also very negligible. Today there are hundreds of fan industries and fan brands in Gujrat. Thousands of Pakistani skilled workers are earning their livings from this industry. Every type, design and quality of fans is being produced in these fan manufacturing factories. These products are worlds best and pride of Pakistanis. Now there are fan industries in Gujrat; from cottage industry to heavy industry, from parts manufacturing units to huge plants. And moreover due to the setup of this fan industry many other industries could groom like Motorcycle Industry, Washing Machine Industry.ETC Although this industry is present from last 60~70 years but after 1980 it shows huge progress. The fan industry is mainly clustered in four major cities of Pakistan namely, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore and Karachi. However, 98% of the countries production is centered at Gujrat and Gujranwala. The sector comprises over 450 SMEs, of which 300 are based in Gujrat and the rest in Gujranwala. The industry produces on average 8 million fans a year with an estimated value of Rs 17 billion. Out of the total production, approximately 30% fans consist of pedestals, 7% brackets and the remaining 63% are ceiling fans. Besides small and medium units, a few units are quite large and have integrated system i.e. from motor winding to high-pressure dies casting. Sales are also fairly concentrated with five large firms in Gujrat and three in Gujranwala, accounting for 40% of total industry sales.

 Exports & Imports

Most of the raw materials used by the fan industry are directly or indirectly imported from different countries. Some of the raw materials used in the manufacturing of a fan are: electric steel sheets, aluminum, enameled copper wire, ball bearing, steel rod and PVC. Global fan trade is classified on the basis of energy consumption. The fans that consume less than 125 watts of energy (SITC 74341; HS 8414.51) are generally referred to as domestic fans and the fans that consume over 125 watts (SITC 74343; HS 8414.59) are classified as industrial fans. Pakistans industry mainly dominates in production of fans which consume less than 125 watts of energy.

Indicator
To GDP % To Direct Employment (Numbers) To Indirect Employment (Numbers) To Exports (%)

Value
0.27% 30,000 90.000 0.2%

The sector employs around 30,000 thousand workers. However, employment is seasonal as most factories operate for only five to six months during the year. Over the last four years the exports from the sector has increased by about 120% to around US$30 million. Currently only 10-15% of the industry is exporting whilst the remainder is only supplying in the local market.

Source: PEFMA, Pakistan Economic Survey 2008-09 and UN Commodity Trade Data Base

Exports make up only a small fraction of world trade in fans, which amounts to around $3 billion. Pakistans exports are mainly concentrated in low-income markets, such as Africa, Bangladesh and some Middle East countries. The average export price of Fans made in Gujrat and Gujranwala is around $23-25, which is much lower than some of the more sophisticated fans which sell for around US$400-500. The retail price of Pakistani fans in its export markets on the other hand varies between US$32-35

About Us
For more than a decade we have served as fan manufacturer. We give top priority to all our customers with highly reliable production quantities & qualities. We are determined to provide excellence both in our operation and in the advance production technologies. we employ as the leading fans manufacturer in region.

To-day we proudly claim that the common wisdom of buyers when it comes to buying the most suitable high quality fan that comes with distinguished features at the cost they love to pay for MERIC FAN is the only name that stands out in the performance, durability & sophistication. MERIC fans the pride of any room. A perfect harmony of grace and performance. The premium fans distinctively designed in a range of colors & delivers great breeze very silently. Sophisticated, solid and one blends with any kind of decor. Electric & steel sheet also 99.99% pure copper wire ensure consistent quality and greater reliability for longer life & lower power consumption. High quality self lubricated ball bearing for noiseless operation. Special stoving (2-K) paint provide extra shield to avoid rust, moisture & long lasting finish. (Also available in Matt finish color). Precision balance aluminum blades with rightly angle and bend to ensure high pressure air delivery without noise makes MERIC FAN the perfect choice

Our Vision
Our goal is to go beyond the expectation of our customers by providing them, products of outstanding quality and greater value, to extend presence in international market through innovative technology and make the MERIC brand an icon and symbol of quality on the map of this world.

Our Mission
Our mission is to fulfill the needs and expectations by delivering reliable, world class yet affordable products consistently to our customers.

ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY AND CHART

Hierarchical Levels of Management

Top management (including the members of the board of directors of the company- responsible for strategic management). Senior management (or upper management; normally, the heads of various departmentsresponsible for operations management). Junior or lower management (they include supervisors, team leaders or, foreman etc- responsible for transaction control)

Management functions:
Planning:
generating plans of action for immediate, short term, medium term and long term periods.

Organizing:
organizing the resources, particularly human resources, in the best possible manner.

Staffing:
positioning right people right jobs at right time.

Directing :
(includes leading, motivating, communicating and coordinating): Communicate and coordinate with people to lead and enthuse them to work effectively together to achieve the plans of the organization.

Controlling :
(includes review and monitoring): evaluating the progress against the plans and making corrections either in plans or in execution.

Each of these functions is explained in some detail below. 1. Planning

Planning is decision making process. It is making decisions on future course of actions. Planning involves taking decisions on vision, mission, values, objectives, strategies and policies of an organization. Planning is done for immediate, short term, medium term and long term periods. It is a guideline for execution/implementation. It is a measure to check the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization.

2. Organizing
Organizing involves determination and grouping of the activities. Designing organization structures and departmentation based on this grouping. Defining the roles and responsibilities of the departments and of the job positions within these departments. Defining relationships between departments and job positions. Defining authorities for departments and job positions.

3. Staffing
It includes manpower or human resource planning. Staffing involves recruitment, selection, induction and positioning the people in the organization. Decisions on remuneration packages are part of staffing. Training, retraining, development, mentoring and counseling are important aspects of staffing. It also includes performance appraisals and designing and administering the motivational packages.

4. Directing
It is one of the most important functions of management to translate company's plans into execution. It includes providing leadership to people so that they work willingly and enthusiastically. Directing people involves motivating them all the time to enthuse them to give their best. Communicating companies plans throughout the organization is an important directing activity. It also means coordinating various people and their activities. Directing aims at achieving the best not just out of an individual but achieving the best through the groups or teams of people through team building efforts.

5. Controlling
It includes verifying the actual execution against the plans to ensure that execution is being done in accordance with the plans. It measures actual performance against the plans. It sets standards or norms of performance. It measures the effective and efficiency of execution against these standards and the plans. It periodically reviews, evaluates and monitors the performance. If the gaps are found between execution levels and the plans, controlling function involves suitable corrective actions to expedite the execution to match up with the plans or in certain circumstances deciding to make modifications in the plans.