2:01pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010
By Ian Boydon
A HIGH-tech Ulverston firm has won a contract to supply lighting for the Austrailian Navy’s submarines.
The £270,000 deal will see Oxley Developments at Ulverston supply LED (light emitting diode) internal lighting for the ‘first in class’ Collins Class diesel-powered attack submarine – which are being refitted by Australian firm ASC Ltd.
Andy Bednarek, sales and marketing director at Oxley Developments, said: “We are delighted that ASC has awarded us the contract to provide an LED lighting system for the Collins Class submarine.
“Growing our LED-based lighting business in the marine environment is a key part of our strategy.
"We have already won contracts for surface vessels but this is our first major submarine project.
“We are very excited by the challenge and look forward to delivering a reliable and cost effective system for the Royal Australian Navy.”
Oxley Developments, which employs around 200 people at its Priory Park site, specialises in solid state lighting (LED) technology – primarily for defence markets.
If the Austrailians are happy with the lighting it is hoped Oxley could win contracts to fit its products on a further five Collins Class vessels that are to be commissioned – which could be worth more than £1.3 million.
Although no new jobs will be created as a result of this initial contract, there could be the possibility of growth should the other contracts be secured.
Will Taylor, design and communications officer at Oxley, said: “It is the first submarine contract for us and the first of many we hope.
“It will protect jobs and if we win more orders it will create more jobs in the future”
The lighting units will replace fluorescent lamps in both the living and weapons compart-ments of the submarines and provide a ‘fit and forget’ solution with their long lifespans and lower energy use.
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