Suntoy promises to give our planet a brighter future by making every hour a solar-power-hour.

Consol Solar Jars take the South Korean market by storm

By |2025-02-24T15:50:43+00:00January 10th, 2020|

Sin Sung Kim has introduced the Consol Solar Jar™ into the South Korean market in late 2015. Subsequently, demand has skyrocketed, the most popular consumer being the avid camper. Since outdoor camping trends have risen in South Korea, so has the interest in Solar Jars which seem to have found their way onto the “most wanted list” of necessities for tourists and locals alike to go camping with. So now, camping becomes more glamorous as we add lamps to the picture, turning the regular camping experience into a rather “glamping” one. The Consol Solar Jar™ was also recently featured in one of South Korea’s most infamous camping magazines “GO OUT”!

It seems as if the Consol Solar Jar™ is becoming a timeless classic for many consumers, fulfilling many different purposes from being utilised as décor, to becoming the main source of light when electricity sources are not so easy to come by.

Sin Sung Kim initially shipped 504 Consol Solar Jars from South Africa to South Korea to add to his Nowa Polished Pottery collection of eco-friendly products. Little did he know that within 2 weeks, the Jars would be distributed; leaving Sin Sung Kim having to hastily order a second batch – which he is now expecting arrival of in March this year.

Due to the Solar Jars popularity, Sin Sung Kim has decided to launch a special “Decorate Your Jar” competition for consumers, encouraging them to decorate the jars and post pictures of their master pieces on their respective blog sites to win various to prizes.

It is anticipated that before 2016 is out, a minimum of 10000 Solar Jars will have made their way into the very lucky hands of consumers in the South Korean retail market place.

Nowa Polished Pottery is aiming at becoming the South Korean distributor of choice for eco-friendly products.  Adding the Consol Solar Jar™ to its already established collection of environmentally friendly products has certainly given this goal a sizable boost and will continue to do so as the Consol Solar Jar™ shines its light into all corners of the globe.

How to make me SHINE!

By |2025-02-24T15:50:44+00:00January 10th, 2020|

I can shine as you dine, on a romantic mid-night snack.

I give you light at the dead of night, with no need for even a power pack.

I try to please and you’ll see I collect sun during the day like a busy bee. I’m made for you, me and everyone.

So c’mon, just flip my switch and turn me on!

I’ll brighten your night and brighten your day and whenever you need me I’ll chase the darkness away.

Suntoy Solar Jar Team Adventure

By |2025-02-24T15:50:44+00:00January 10th, 2020|

It was non-stop adventure in the wild of the South African Pilanesberg for some of our Suntoy team members including Distributors Heiner Klaus from Europe, Nick Wiehe and Jean-Philippe Pierre from Mauritius, joined by Suntoy’s CEO Harald Schulz, brand Manager Adam Viles, and production manager Rolf Willenbrock who descended on The Ivory Tree Lodge for some fun in the sun from 26 – 28 Feb. 2016.

Being from the warm shores of Mauritius, Jean-Philippe did not take too kindly to the fresh crispy morning air as we embarked on our first game-drive.  In no time at all, Jean-Philippe was wrapped tightly in a thermal blanket, lying low to avoid the wind?  Sorry Jean-Philippe, us native South African’s could not help finding this amusing in the middle of one of our warmest months of the year. 🙂

We witnessed the most spectacular sunrise and close-up sightings of some of the big five including Elephant, Rhino, Lion and Giraffe to name but a few….

We came across an Elephant in Musth who decided to give charge towards us at a point during the drive when we had stopped to observe the majestic animal…. Never had we experienced a Jeep in high-speed reverse as we did in that moment, and not a moment too soon either…. pretty adrenalin pumping stuff.

It did not end there, as the great African sun, set behind the hills in the west, it coloured the skies with breathtaking shades and shapes, giving birth to the night skies and our next adventure which was an evening game drive that delivered the opportunity for us to view – the all African night owl – amongst other – foxy – animals who prefer to remain unseen or heard.  A whole new kind of excitement…

No sooner had we returned from our evening game drive, the African Gods decided it would be a good time to bestow upon us, their most thunderous hurricane-like storm sending us all rushing inside for shelter…. It was this ominous event of nature that rewarded us with an unexpected gift and opportunity to mingle with other lodgers, and in so doing, displaying our Consol Solar Jar™ on some of the tables in the dining area; leading to much interest shown by locals and international visitors. O what a night….

This unforgettable environment awarded us all with the time needed, to put our heads together and discuss relevant topics such as future branding strategies, global marketing, reseller and distributor challenges as well as upcoming product improvements.

Suntoy thanks all participants for sharing this time with us!

The Consol Solar Jar™ Reaches Caribbean Shores

By |2025-02-24T15:50:44+00:00January 10th, 2020|

Born on the island of Mauritius, Corine Park Mazurier has lived half her life on the Greek islands and the other half in the Caribbean (on a yacht) and has now become the official distributor of the Consol Solar Jar™ in the Caribbean.

Corine came across the Consol Solar Jar™ on the tiny island of Rodrigues, at the Bakwa lodge where she sought to investigate and was amazed by what she was looking at.  “How simple – yet versatile, how functional – yet creative.  I was hooked. I purchased one from the lodge and my enthusiasm rubbed off on the other guests who also proceeded to purchase jars.”

Corine is sharing her enthusiasm for the Consol Solar Jar™ in the Caribbean as it completely fits her criteria for what she considers to be an inspiring product.  According to Corine, the Caribbean group of islands all have one thing in common – hurricanes, with most islands often experiencing electrical outages due to weather and this is where the Consol Solar Jar™ comes in very handy.

Corine feels it is important to understand and convey that the Consol Solar Jar™ is “proudly hand made in South Africa” and not “made in China”.

The Consol Solar Jar™ requires loving care and attention says Corine.  Not because it is delicate but because it is important to place it in the sunlight daily to recharge. The Jar needs to play a role in the space it’s in and hence be part of the design (interior or exterior).  “It also requires “props” or accessories which I believe need to be developed or suggested, to shoulder the jar and to make its utility more accessible.”

The Caribbean is one of the finest sailing grounds in the world, where the Consol Solar Jar™ is finding its bearings.  In this context its use is both decorative and functional.  There are an endless number of year round sailors in the Caribbean, from mega yachts (decorative) to small live aboard sailors (functional) who find use in both the utility and the beauty of the jar.

The tourism industry – from cruise ship passengers to yacht charters for day visitors, hotel and villa guests enjoy our personalised jar as it appeals to our clients as a souvenir with the dual purpose of being useful at home.

Welcome to the Suntoy Team Corine.

Press Relase: Consol Solar Jars™ used in interactive light show

By |2025-02-24T15:50:44+00:00January 10th, 2020|

To commemorate the 300th anniversary of renowned British Landscape Architect; Lancelot “Capability” Brown, who shaped our vision of the picture-perfect English countryside, Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park will be hosting a light art commission using 1000 Consol Solar Jars™ as one of its key set pieces.

Compton Verney Park is a place steeped in rich architectural history, its current state being the result of an 11-year restoration project that will see this magnificent building returned to its 1768 splendour and glory that was designed by one of the most important Landscape Architects of the 18th century, Lancelot “Capability” Brown himself.

Visual artist Laurent from Creatmosphere, a cross-genre studio specialising in the interplay of light as art between architecture and space, has been commissioned to create a light spectacular as has never been seen before using our Consol Solar Jars ™. Applying stunning, ground-breaking technologically, this new interactive light commission entitled “IN LIGHT: Illuminating Capability Brown’s Landscape”, launches on the 29 October and runs until the 13 November.

Compton Verney’s 18th century mansion, ‘Capability’ Brown Chapel and Bridge will be lit in vibrant ways for people to appreciate and play with. There is an interactive element that gives visitors the opportunity to take over the light controls and light up various parts of the house and trees in exciting ways. This is the first time globally, that wireless DMX technology has been used to activate so many solar powered lanterns in an art exhibition of this magnitude.  The technological challenge was made easier in collaboration with UJ (University of Johannesburg) and their research facility RC (Resolution circle).

By using 1000 Consol Solar Jars™; a product proudly conceptualised and manufactured by Suntoy in South Africa, Laurent will be filling an entire field with pinpoints of light to map the rich and diverse history of green spaces in a creative and captivating way.  Three centuries later, Lancelot “Capability” Brown’s work is still celebrated and lives on.

We here at Suntoy, together with our European distributors Sonnenglas, are enormously proud to have our Consol Solar Jar™ play an integral and creative part in this initiative.  Seeing it being used in this way and not just as originally intended (as a reading light and portable solar lantern), demonstrates its potential as a fun, eco-friendly and sustainable alternative light supply that makes it easy to go green. It truly is bottled sunshine!

Event details can be found here:
Life in light

Contact:
Harald Schulz
Managing Director
Email: harald@suntoy.co.za
South Africa
Ph: +27 87 754 4060

Adam Viles
Suntoy Brand Manager
Email: adam@suntoy.co.za
South Africa
Ph: +27 73 406 1803

Consol Solar Jar™ In The Press

By |2025-02-24T15:50:44+00:00January 10th, 2020|

We here at Suntoy are proudly invested in sharing the many successes of our Consol Solar Jar™ and once again deliver news of how our Jar keeps re-inventing itself. We have been mentioned in a number of publications featuring our famous Consol Solar Jar™ being a main attraction at the 300th anniversary commemoration of renowned British Landscape Architect; Lancelot “Capability” Brown, with Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park in England currently hosting a light art commission using 1000 Consol Solar Jars™ as one of its key set pieces.

 

As the magic continues to spread between 29th October and 13th November 2016, of the artistic and illuminating contribution the Consol Solar Jar™ is creating, the involvement of our Proudly South African star attraction has drawn the attention of the following publications:

Simply Green

An digital publication that focuses on all areas of the ‘Green’ / Sustainability value chain. With focus areas such Alternative and Renewable Energy Developments, Green Building, green products, Energy Efficiency, Impact Investing and more.

See the article on page 38 here.

SA Good News
A website that highlights the positive developments in South Africa.

See the article here.

Germiston City News
Local news and businesses website and newspaper.

See the article here.

The Meetings and Event Planner
Provides user-friendly information that assists these professionals in their day-to-day task of sourcing venues, products, services, speakers and team builders.

See the article here.

R News
They tell the South African story.

See the article here.

Consol Solar Jar™ Steals The Show!

By |2025-02-24T15:50:44+00:00January 10th, 2020|

The Consol Solar Jar™ showcased its international appeal when it took part in the event commemorating the 300th anniversary of renowned British Landscape Architect; Lancelot “Capability” Brown at the Compton Verney Art Gallery in the UK recently. 1000 Consol Solar Jars™ were used as one of the set pieces to showcase the process of photosynthesis using light.

Visual artist Laurent from Creatmosphere, was commissioned to create the instillation using our Consol Solar Jars™ as he was looking for a product that would be environmentally friendly as well as appeal to the aesthetic of life as light.

The “Dress Rehearsal” was held at the University of Johannesburg with close family and friends attending the show. The team from Resolution Circle were great, the Microchip wireless MiWi technology behaved as it should and the Splitbeam DMX crew had patience beyond the call of duty. Without a doubt though the stars of the show, the wireless MiWi/DMX Jars, highlighted what can be done with a humble Consol Solar Jar™. MiWi™ is a registered trade mark of Microchip Technology Incorporated.

Harald Schulz; Managing Director at Suntoy, commented on the ingenuity and skill of our local engineers by saying; “I believe strongly that we need to give them the ability to do a project of this sort and I think that they just about proved that it can be done locally and it doesn’t have to go overseas to be designed elsewhere.”

The event itself titled; IN-LIGHT: Illuminating Compton Verney, was well received and the Consol Solar Jar™ enchanted visitors especially the interactive element that gave them the opportunity to take over the light controls and light up various parts of the house and trees. Julie Carpenter certainly enjoyed herself and commented via the Compton Verney Facebook page; “Loved it – a photographers dream!”

This fantastic experience has been invaluable with Suntoy and the Consol Solar Jar™ receiving coverage in our local press namely Simply Green, City News, SA The Good News and internationally with the UK publication ISI Online and various others. With the technology learnt from the project, university boffins are working on other professional applications and here at Suntoy we are so proud of our Consol Solar Jar™ having showcased its quality and its proudly South African heritage on an international stage at in Warwickshire, UK.

Mad Hatter’s Party

By |2025-02-24T15:50:44+00:00January 10th, 2020|

Resolution Circle, UJ’s Business Incubator and Research and Development company held a Mad Hatter’s Party on Friday 13th  to kick of the year 2017 with a “hat”, who would have thought of that!

The various teams were encouraged to compete for the most original hat, which were all splendid I thought, but also compete for the best decorated Consol Solar Jar™ in a theme to represent their department.

During a heated judging session, I had the difficult task to find the best of the best. Almost impossible with so much creativity going around, from kitchen to catering, marketing to accounts and admin to engineering, they all put in a special effort with every jar being beautiful, unique and original!

At the end however there can only be one winner and out of 19 entries it was RC’s accounts department who took the price with their “Treachery Chest” Jar (decorated by Stephanie Joubert) for the originality and effort that went into the design. The jar almost made me want to climb inside and start digging.

A close second was the mechanical engineering department “Small Scale Manufacturing” Jar done by Johnny Pretorius and Bianca Boshoff.

The CEO Professor Willem Clarke with his daughter Tabitha had a beautiful quirky entry with their yellow Minion Jar, and the two of them even had matching hats to boot!

There is not enough space to mention all the participants individually but I take my “hat” of and salute you all!

What a rather marvelous event!

If your company wants to host a Consol Solar Jar™ teambuilding, contact us today for more detail.

Harald

The Consol Solar Jar™ captures the hearts of Australians

By |2025-02-24T15:50:45+00:00January 10th, 2020|

Australia, a popular destination of South Africans, both just visiting and emigrating, due to its parallel attributes of sunshine and vast expansive outdoor living, has welcomed a popular South African product to its shores, the Consol Solar Jar™. Suntoy have set up operations in the land down under and has introduced its Consol Solar Jar™ for the first time as a lifestyle product due to the nature of the great outdoor lifestyle of Australians. Beach parties, surfing, camping, cycling, ‘barbies’, boating, fishing and long ‘walk-abouts’ are all pastimes of Aussie sun-lovers who will welcome the little jar that draws its energy in the day and will powerlessly light their way at night.

For our friends down under this is why the Consol Solar Jar™ is a winner:

The Consol Solar Jar™, a 100% recyclable preserve jar, is a multiple design award winning product originating from South Africa. It is handmade and therefore has created jobs for many local town ship dwellers.

It is a green product and with its uniquely designed lid it harnesses its energy entirely from the sun.

Due to its complete portability, it is multi functional and provides night light in the garden, at the table and at all the aforementioned outdoor activity areas for reading cooking and just creating a beautiful ambiance.

It is pretty and fun, as it can be filled with decor of your choice. Anything from sea shells, to fruit, plants or any kind of bric-a-brac. It becomes your own creation!

Our man in Australia

The Consol Solar Jar™ will for the first time be available direct to the public through select retailers and the online store at https://suntoy.mybigcommerce.com, but if you prefer the personal touch and great service, our man down under is Theo van Wyk who can be contacted on 0450 123 606 or at australia@suntoy.co.za. It’s time South Africans returned some of that great Aussie hospitality and there is no better way to do it than with our little jar of sunshine!

A shop called ‘Bottled Sunshine’

By |2025-02-24T15:50:45+00:00January 10th, 2020|

So popular has Suntoy’s little jar of sunshine, the Consol Solar Jar™ become, that a pop up shop in Johannesburg’s trendy Melville area has been opened just to showcase and sell these incredibly versatile products. The shop called “Bottled Sunshine” is at the well known ’27 Boxes’ centre and is testament to the growing interest and enjoyment of these brilliant little jars that harness the sun’s rays to create a useful and attractive night light.

When one visits the shop, one can see how amazing the jars can be made to look. It’s fun to personalise your own jar with whatever you choose, but here there are ideas of how to decorate your jar and some real ‘works of art’ to buy as they are. The shop also highlights jar accessories that work with the jar, like for example the practical hook stand to hang the jar for camping, braais and beach parties etc.

Take a turn there if you’re in the area and see why this famous ‘jar of bottle sunshine’ is growing in stature every day!

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