A BRIGHT future looks to be ahead for a growing Keighley lighting company.

Powerlite has invested more than £500,000 in new production machinery.

The company is also expanding its workforce to meet demand after winning multi-million pound contracts, against European and Chinese competitors.

Powerlite Lighting Solutions began as a small supplier of component spare parts into the solarium market in 1984.

Now it is a major international manufacturer – with a 40,000sqft production and office facility – supplying LED products for the commercial, architectural, industrial and exterior lighting sectors.

It supplies to almost every major electrical wholesaler in the UK.

The firm has managed and completed numerous massive schemes, from relighting the M6 toll road to a roll-out across Aviva offices.

Around 60 people are currently employed by the Alkincote Street company, but a recruitment drive is now underway.

Managing director, Nick Robinson, said: "The latest contracts were won – after several rounds of tough bidding and technical submissions – because our products offered overall better value than those of our competitors.

"Our delivery times are much shorter than importers' and we are more flexible to offer solutions which accurately meet clients' requirements.

"As a result of the new contracts, we are employing a number of additional staff.

"We will be advertising multiple roles, from warehouse and dispatch staff to assembly and manufacturing operatives."

New equipment will enable the firm to more than double its production capacity, and the assembly department will be redesigned to cater for the increase.

The latest developments build on an impressive start to the year for Powerlite, which in January took £1 million-plus in orders – a record for a single month.

It set out its aim to increase turnover to £10 million by the end of this year.

Mr Robinson added: "Because we manufacture everything in our own factory we can supply exactly what our customers require – on short lead times and at competitive prices.

"The manufacturing processes cover the full production chain.

"We make a technically advanced product with efficiencies and quality other manufacturers struggle with.

"We compete with Chinese suppliers and have the package of price and products which make us successful.

"We're constantly investing in new products, systems and machinery, which is what is driving our growth.

"Our sales, admin and production teams all have a 'can do' attitude which makes work a pleasure, and we give a great customer experience."