Peli Products Leads the Way in Environmentally Friendly Area Lighting with the Acquisition of Blue i UK
03 June 2008
Peli™ Products, the global leader in the design and manufacture of virtually indestructible cases and advanced lighting systems today announces the acquisition of innovative lighting manufacturer Blue i UK Ltd. This purchase will enable Peli Products to expand its presence in Europe, Middle East and Africa while continuing to develop new products and technologies.
The acquisition of Blue i complements Peli Products strategic vision to position the company as the pioneer in new lighting technology, and further supports the company's leadership position in the global lighting technology market.
In 2003 the company revolutionised the lighting industry with the creation of Recoil LED technology. Now, through the acquisition of Blue i, Peli Products takes a further step towards the launch of its Advanced Area Lighting Group (AALG), a new line of products bringing next generation Area Lighting Technology to market.
The Advanced Area Lighting Group will drive primary R&D to bring portable, powerful, energy-efficient and environmentally responsible lighting technology to remote area applications.
"More than three decades ago Peli Products pioneered an entirely new industry for protective case design and manufacture and is still recognized today as the global leader," said Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO of Peli Products.
"We are taking that same pioneering spirit to become the leader in designing and building the most advanced environmentally safe and energy-efficient lighting technology on the market. The lighting industry hasn't even scratched the surface in effectively integrating LED technology into commercial applications for lighting large areas – that is the sole focus of the AALG and the major reason we have acquired Blue i."
Through the acquisition of Blue i UK, Peli Products will be manufacturing in the UK for the first time. Blue i UK is a leading-edge designer and manufacturer of maintenance free portable lighting products with a recognised tradition of innovation and award winning products and services. Their expertise in LED technology and cordless portable technology is an ideal addition to Peli™ Products AALG.
Blue i founders, Neil Walker and Darren Judd, were recognized last year for Blue i's success as a finalist for HSBC's annual: "Start-up Stars" Awards in the UK for new and growing businesses. Now, the two join Peli Products lighting group to continue inventing the future of advanced lighting.
The acquisition of Blue i UK enables Peli Products to position itself as the lighting technology leader in launching handheld, remote area and area lighting systems. Along with the creation of the AALG, Peli is bringing new technology to a US$4 billion area lighting technology division.
The new area lighting systems being designed and built by Peli Products after the acquisition of Blue i are harnessing the power and energy-efficiency of Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology and taking it into new commercial applications beyond the company's rugged and powerful handheld torches that are used by militaries, first responders and in industrial and hazardous settings around the world.
Peli Products already delivers the battery-powered portable area lighting systems that provide 15 hours of continuous light and approximately 50,000 hours bulb lifespan for such end users as nighttime road construction crews, railway engineers and first responders.
The systems are designed for anyone who needs to illuminate a large area without the gas consumption, noise and air pollution associated with today's industrial diesel generator-powered lighting towers that use energy-zapping outdated light bulb technology.
The company is developing an ambitious expansion plan in the EMEA region that involves Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom, among other countries. At the end of last year Peli Products started manufacturing six of their most popular Protector Case models in Germany. The company predicts calls for additional models to be produced at this new facility in 2008 in order to meet increasing global demand.
Peli Products has also opened offices in France and Germany and is in the process of opening one in the UAE. The company bases its EMEA headquarters in Spain, where it has doubled its staff to support the growth. "Our objective is to strengthen our offering and therefore our position as a leader in the EMEA markets", says Lyndon Faulkner. "This commitment is part of an aggressive plan that will triple our sales over the next five years."
