A GROWING Keighley lighting company has bought a troubled Cornwall-based manufacturer out of administration.

And Powerlite, based in Alkincote Street, says there are plans to "increase dramatically" the workforce over the coming months.

The company paid an undisclosed sum for Fitzgerald Lighting, whose factory is in Bodmin.

Powerlite said the acquisition would strengthen the product range and service on offer to customers and make the merged operation "a major force" in the UK lighting industry.

"Fitzgerald has been struggling for some time but now – with a clean sheet – we are aiming to bring it back to the forefront of luminaires manufacture," said Nick Robinson, managing director of Powerlite.

"It has a fantastic history of manufacturing and we intend to harness this skill base to rejuvenate the brand.

"With our expertise in the lighting industry, the acquisition of Fitzgerald supports our strategy to lead the market and meet the future requirements for a single provider to manage all lighting needs.

"The acquisition provides a major growth opportunity for both our businesses, through an extended service offering for our clients."

There are currently 71 workers in Keighley and 20 at the Bodmin factory, with plans to grow.

Mr Robinson said support would be maintained for all Fitzgerald products in the marketplace, with their original warranties.

He added that production will be resumed at Bodmin in the next week under the new, combined enterprise known as Powerlite Fitzgerald.

Small quantities of products are already being delivered to Fitzgerald customers.

"We will have extensive ranges of commercial luminaires produced in the two factories," said Mr Robinson.

"We're committed to investment in the UK manufacture of quality lighting products."

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

Now it is a major international manufacturer 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.