Category: industry updates

CU Phosco, in partnership with Mway Comms, has successfully upgraded the
lighting along the M49 link road, replacing outdated SON lighting with advanced
P862 LED luminaires. This project, initiated by National Highways, is part of a £126m
Nationwide Project aimed at significantly improving energy efficiency, safety, and
greatly decreasing the CO2 footprint of the road lighting in accordance with the
current National Highways drive lower CO2 emissions.

Unique in that it is only accessible from other motorways, the M49 motorway is a
critical route in England, linking the M4 (J22) with the M5 (J18A). Constructed
alongside the Prince of Wales Bridge in 1996, the M49 provides essential
connectivity for motorists between the outskirts of Avonmouth and South Wales. Due
to its importance in facilitating regional travel, National Highways sought to
modernise the road's lighting to reduce maintenance costs and improve energy
efficiency.

In 2019, National Highways Area 1/2 engaged CU Phosco to design a
comprehensive lighting solution for the M49 link road. This project, spanning the 5-
mile stretch between the M4 and M5, aimed to replace ageing SON lighting with
modern, energy-efficient alternatives. Although delayed due to cable infrastructure
challenges, the lighting redesign was completed in 2023, allowing CU Phosco to
partner with Mway Comms for installation.

CU Phosco worked closely with National Highways and Mway Comms to deliver a
solution to optimise safety and efficiency along the M49. A total of 255 P862 LED
luminaires with ANSI Nema sockets to accommodate the Lucy Zodion CMS were
installed, replacing the outdated SON stock. The P862 luminaire, known for its
superior optical performance and thermal management, was chosen for its ability to
meet National Highways' strict specifications and supplied, including safety Tether
kits.

The P862's dark sky certification ensures minimal light pollution, while its lightweight
design and low wind profile made it ideal for installation on existing lighting columns.
This project utilised various outputs and bespoke hybrid optics to complement its
future-proof design, offering an optimal balance of efficiency, longevity, and
performance.

The new LED lighting system significantly enhanced visibility and safety along the
M49 while also delivering substantial energy savings, helping to align with National
Highways' sustainability goals.

Additionally, the P862's design reduces the need for frequent maintenance, further
cutting operational costs. This modernisation effort not only improves the driving
experience for road users but also supports National Highways' long-term objectives
of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing road safety.

Stuart Griffin, Contracts Manager, Mway Comms comments, “Mway Comms and CU
Phosco have worked closely to deliver this lighting scheme. Early supplier involvement ensured that all lanterns were delivered in advance of the planned install date to allow for detailed planning to be undertaken, in what has turned out to be a very busy section of the national motorway system. Other major projects in the vicinity, that were utilising the M49 as part of their diversion route restricted the access for installation, but with all 350 lanterns available from the start, works could be rescheduled at short notice to minimise time lost to cancelled road space.

A successful project and I look forward to working with CU Phosco again in the near
future on similar schemes.”

TRILUX has unveiled Osido, a new outdoor wall light range that delivers
harmonised aesthetics, intelligent technology, and enhanced sustainability for building
surrounds. The series launches with four shapes—square, rectangular, round, and oval—offering a consistent design language across different outdoor applications.

Developed with flexibility and ease of installation in mind, Osido features an innovative one-person
mounting system, a face illumination module for improved safety, and a specially angled indirect
light component that directs illumination onto façades, reducing scattered light in the upper half-
space and enhancing architectural staging. Available since February 2025, the range will soon
expand to include bollards, spotlights, and ceiling luminaires.

A Cohesive Lighting Concept for Building Surrounds

Exterior façades, staircases, pathways, and entrance areas often require different lighting
approaches, leading to inconsistent visual designs. Osido eliminates this challenge with a
coordinated family of luminaires, ensuring a harmonised appearance while maintaining exceptional
lighting performance. The series also integrates seamlessly into indoor spaces, providing design
continuity across entire buildings.

The Osido wall lights boast a modern, minimalist aesthetic, featuring gently rounded edges and a
high-quality die-cast aluminium housing with no visible screws. Standard finishes include elegant
anthracite, with custom colour options available on request.

Innovative Installation – Quick, Secure, and Tool-Free

A standout feature of Osido is its newly developed Plug & Play installation system, enabling fast,
one-person mounting. A larger cavity behind the mounting plate allows easy cable routing, while a
fixed plug connector ensures a secure electrical connection. Thanks to an automatic safety catch,
the luminaire housing attaches to the mounting plate without tools, providing tamper resistance and
theft protection.

Versatile Optics for Every Lighting Requirement

Osido offers a diverse selection of MLT optics, allowing the luminaires to meet both functional and
decorative lighting needs. Options include:
 Direct and direct/indirect distribution for different lighting effects
 Narrow or wide beam angles for targeted illumination
 Asymmetrical light distribution for pathway lighting
 A face illumination module directs soft lighting towards pedestrians, improving visibility and
enhancing perceived safety in outdoor spaces.

With luminous flux packages ranging from 500 to 4,000 lumens and three light colour temperatures
(2,700K, 3,000K, 4,000K), the range provides complete design flexibility.

Sustainability Meets Smart Technology

Osido combines high energy efficiency (≥ 143 lm/W) with a long service life of 50,000 hours,
reinforcing TRILUX's commitment to sustainable lighting solutions. A unique 6° angled indirect light component ensures precise façade illumination, reducing spill light and enhancing architectural
integration.

For further energy savings and automation, the luminaires can be equipped with smart control
options, including:
 Switchable (ET), dimmable (ETDD), and Casambi (ETBLE+CAS) variants
 An emergency lighting version with a monitoring module
 Full integration with TRILUX LiveLink light management system for networked control and
automation

With Osido, TRILUX delivers a future-proof lighting solution that merges design, smart control, and
sustainability, setting a new benchmark for exterior lighting.

Pharos Architectural Controls is set to continue its busy schedule of industry events, with the announcement that it will be returning to Las Vegas for this year’s LightFair show.

Pharos will be on stand 1842 to meet delegates and showcase a raft of important updates to its product offering, with a particular focus on Pharos Expert.

The team will be demonstrating the latest changes to the Expert range, including additional capability to support the Pharos RIO G4 – a four-port gateway which now adds convenient Ethernet-distributed DMX ports to an Expert system. The show will also offer the chance for Pharos to showcase its latest improvements to Expert software, including RDM (Remote Device Management) fixture status monitoring and support for luminaires with extended parameters, such as focus, zoom and gobo.

Expert software version 1.2 also introduces support for two new capacity variants of Expert Control: Expert Control 4 and Expert Control 6. The four-universe Control 4 offers 2,048 DMX channels and the Control 6 – with six-universe capacity – supports 3,072 channels. The form-factor is the same as the Control 1 and Control 2, with two convenient local DMX ports on board. All channels are available via eDMX protocols, such as sACN and Art-Net, or via DMX ports on the new Pharos RIO G4.

Finally, visitors to the stand will be able to experience demonstrations of the Expert Control 6 with a Pharos RIO G4 combination, along with the Expert Touch mobile app. The app turns any phone or tablet device on a local Wi-Fi network into an elegant user control interface for scene selection, colour and intensity override, as well as to view the programmed schedule and even pause upcoming events.

This will be only the second event attended by the Pharos team since the controls specialist opened its new office in Denver earlier this year. This new location, selected for its proximity to Denver International Airport, will operate as the primary base for the Pharos US team’s training operations and serve as a central location for managing demo products and product servicing. It will also allow Pharos to more effectively provide technical support to customers in the Midwest and along the West Coast.

Michael Grosse (MG), Regional Sales Manager for the Americas at Pharos Architectural Controls said: “LightFair’s rich history in the industry makes it an important date in the Pharos calendar. This year we are taking the opportunity to showcase some of the much-anticipated updates to Pharos Expert that will continue to revolutionize the way that designers, specifiers and installers approach lighting projects.

“My team and I look forward to joining over 15,000 industry peers, customers and friends to showcase Pharos technology and help them bring their lighting projects to life.”

Award-winning Northern Irish beauty brand BPerfect has expanded its reach with the launch of its first England megastore in Manchester’s Arndale Centre. The brand’s vision was to build an immersive beauty destination that offers customers an unforgettable shopping experience beyond the product itself. The goal for the brand’s first England store was to create an unparalleled retail experience and also act as an interactive space for events and customer engagement.

Light Forms worked closely with Ripple, who created the displays for the store, and client BPerfect to illuminate the stunning design for the flagship site at Manchester Arndale. The brief was to create a clean, bright atmosphere to beautifully highlight the products, but also to make an impact with feature lighting which stands out and makes the space truly special. Light Forms and Ripple ensured that the design fit in with the existing aesthetic of the BPerfect brand, as an extension of its already successful stores but with new dynamic additions.

Light Forms supplied a variety of luminaires to meet this brief, including Nova93 Track Spot & Powergear Track, Moonfull Stretch, and the new innovative Lightrod 40. The Light Forms team completed lighting calculations to ensure that the lighting worked perfectly in the space and met the desired brief.

This dynamic lighting, due to the adaptable track spot lighting, intuitively guides customers throughout the store, with strategic lighting accents of suspended rods at consultation areas and demo stations creating an immersive environment. The Lightrod 40 fittings provide the desired feature focal point, creating a ‘spine’ of light that supports the heart of the store.

The lighting has enhanced the in-store experience and created a luxury beauty destination that evokes the BPerfect brand perfectly.

Daniel Wolfenden, Design & Marketing Director at Ripple, commented: “It’s so important to be working with people and companies you can trust to bring your ideas to life and Light Forms are certainly one our design team are always thrilled to work with. Our recent project for BPerfect in Manchester, lighting was a key component, with a variety of engaging zones within one open plan space, we created a lighting scheme to work hand in hand with the scheme, to ensure the spaces weren’t in competition, but instead, created flow, dynamism and focal zones to assist customers in the space. As always Light Forms were able to deliver products for this specific vision and ensure the light levels intended would be delivered.”

Paul Shoosmith, Director at Light Forms, said, “We are extremely proud to have been part of this project, working with Ripple to design BPerfect’s first flagship megastore in England. The project has received incredible feedback and has been called the brand’s best store yet. We are thrilled to have helped BPerfect with their incredible expansion as the brand continues to grow, and to see our lighting as an integral part of the store’s functionality and aesthetic.”

Project credits:
Client – BPerfect
Retail Design – Ripple
Lighting – Light Forms

The DALI Alliance are delighted to invite lighting professionals from across the industry to join the live announcement of the 2024/2025 DALI Alliance Awards.

Held at 1PM GMT on Monday the 24th of March, the winner’s announcement will unveil those organizations who have been recognized for the application and innovative use of DALI protocol, including Best Use of D4i,

Open not only to members, this year the DALI Alliance and chosen esteemed judges were delighted to see a 27% surge in submissions, highlighting how DALI is continually revolutionizing the lighting industry and providing opportunities for organizations to adopt smarter and more efficient solutions. Notably the 2024/2025 entries identified how the global open standard has enabled seamless interoperability of components from differing manufacturers – one of the greatest benefits of the DALI protocol.

Following a refresh to the awards program for 2024/2025, the live announcement is set to celebrate expert adoption and use of DALI, champion best practice and recognize the winners and highly commended organizations who have embraced the technologies and benefits of DALI.

DALI are inviting professionals from across the industry to join the live celebration at 1PM (GMT) on the 24th of March by joining the Webex link: https://ieee-isto.webex.com/ieee-isto/j.php?MTID=mfd36b80c7eb4448c01d6e82886cfa41f

The DALI Alliance (also known as the Digital Illumination Interface Alliance, or DiiA) is the global industry organization for DALI-based digital lighting control, driving market adoption and standardization of the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI®) protocol. The alliance develops technical specifications, promotes interoperability, and manages the DALI-2, DALI+ and D4i certification programs, ensuring that lighting control systems are scalable, flexible, and future-ready. The DALI Alliance works with manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users to support innovation and drive the adoption of intelligent, connected lighting solutions.

For more information, visit www.dali-alliance.org.

TRILUX partnership Delivers Intelligent and Sustainable Lighting for Centraal and
Musis Parking Garages

UK, March 2025 – The municipality of Arnhem has embraced a smarter, more sustainable
future with the modernisation of lighting at its Centraal and Musis parking garages. Working
in partnership with ITN, TRILUX provided a cutting-edge, wireless lighting solution that
enhances energy efficiency and supports circular economy principles by recycling old
luminaires into raw materials for new fixtures.

With a strong emphasis on quality, longevity, and sustainability, TRILUX's solution went beyond
conventional lighting upgrades. Integrated smart controls, sensor-based dimming, and wireless
communication optimise energy consumption while reducing CO₂ emissions. The project also
features a fully circular recycling process, setting a new benchmark for municipal lighting schemes.

A Smart, Wireless Lighting Network
A key requirement of the project was the implementation of an intelligent lighting system that
adapts dynamically to usage patterns. TRILUX equipped the parking garages with MyMesh-
enabled luminaires, creating a fully networked, sensor-driven environment without the need for
additional DALI control lines.
"The luminaires operate at an energy-saving base level, automatically adjusting brightness based
on real-time occupancy data," explains Martijn den Besten, Business Development Manager at

TRILUX. "If no movement is detected, the lighting dims further, and as soon as activity resumes,
the system instantly returns to the required illumination level. This maximises energy efficiency
while ensuring safety and comfort for users."
All luminaires are seamlessly connected to the LiveLink Premium light management system,
allowing the municipality to remotely monitor, adjust, and optimise settings for different parking
levels. The result is a high-performance lighting infrastructure that is cost-effective, long-lasting,
and environmentally responsible.

Closing the Loop: A Fully Circular Lighting Approach

The Arnhem project also demonstrates TRILUX's commitment to circularity. Instead of disposing of
old luminaires, TRILUX and ITN established a closed-loop recycling system to recover and
repurpose materials.

"ITN collected and transported the decommissioned luminaires to the Recycle Service Center in
Amsterdam, where they were fully dismantled," explains Raymond van Dijken, Sales Manager at
TRILUX Benelux. "Optics, housings, clamps, ballasts, electronics, and lamp sockets were
separated and processed for reuse. The housings and optics were recycled into high-quality
granulate, which is now being used as raw material in our Zaragoza factory to manufacture new
waterproof luminaires."

By integrating smart controls and circular economy principles, the Arnhem municipality is reducing
its environmental footprint and setting a precedent for sustainable public lighting projects.
With long-term efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability at the heart of this initiative, TRILUX
continues to drive innovation in smart, responsible lighting solutions—helping cities transition
towards smarter, more sustainable urban environments. For further information about TRILUX’s
refurbishment solutions visit https://www.trilux.com/en/service/lighting-renovation/refurbishment/

In celebration of reaching a 25-year foundation tenure, Magarpatta commissioned the facade illumination of their city gates. A 450-acre gated community consisting of commercial areas, residential compounds, hospital, school, 25-acre urban park, and a shopping mall. To mark a quarter-century, they wanted to create an awe-inspiring lighting display at the main entrance.

The gates at the entrance were adorned with beautiful, dynamic lighting to enhance the appeal for both residents and visitors. Semblance Studio, a local lighting design firm from Pune, chose K-LITE to provide the lighting solutions. opted to include exceptional structural lights and those positioned to pick out prominent features at the city mantel.

With this ‘key to the city’ type honour, K-LITE supplied products including Form-17, Underwater lights , Aster 15 solutions which combined to form a cohesive lighting scheme. Form-17 fixtures were installed in the niche of the entrance and Aster 15 were placed in the niches of the entrance lateral walls adjacent to the water fountain. The addition of underwater lights to accent the fountains cast light within the waters to texture the elements at the entrance. The lighting heightened the attraction of the city’s celebrations, thus giving credence to the extent of K-LITE’s lighting solutions, working to a brief that created a welcoming and impactful display.

This award-winning metropolis is part of a ‘vision shaped by values’ scheme created to ensure sustainable developments, for building family units, and creating homes for long term appreciation of new build eco-cities. The project follows an internationally acclaimed model that emphasises sustainable living and responsible development.

Over the years, K-LITE has successfully anchored responsible actions in its corporate philosophy, contributing to a stable ecological, economic, and social framework. In this changing world, K-LITE takes pride in its sustainable lighting solutions, advancing energy efficiency, reducing maintenance needs, and promoting a commitment to sustainability across projects worldwide.

Project Credits:

Client: Magarpatta City

Lighting Designer: Semblance Studio

Lighting Manufacturer: K-LITE

Photography courtesy of K-LITE

Echoing the same sleek styling and modern design aesthetic, Ansell Lighting has created a
slimmed-down version of its popular outdoor Reef wall light.

Available in both directional and bi-directional formats, the highly robust, polycarbonate Reef
S lamp has been designed to ensure long-lasting performance, withstanding even salt air
and coastal spray. Re-enforced with a five-year warranty, the IP65 rated lamp is the ideal
option for any outdoor lighting project.

Inventively, Reef S is also supplied with three interchangeable Gobo inserts, enabling a
range of decorative beam angles to be easily created for unique visual effects. This is the
first lamp designed for residential applications to offer this innovative feature, fulfilling current
market demand for products that deliver a highly personalised lighting experience. CCT
Selectable between 3000K and 4000K, Reef S also offers users the added flexibility of
choosing between warm or cool lighting hues.

Easy to install, Reef S features a unique lockable installation base plate and push-fit loop-
in/loop-out terminals with a WAGO "park" area, facilitating quick and efficient wiring.
A PIR option is also available for added functionality, providing increased convenience and
security.

Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, commented “Reef S is a fantastic new
addition to our Reef outdoor lighting range and represents a new era of innovation for
residential lighting. Not only does it look great, but it is easy to install and will stand the test
of time. It offers users the ability to create interesting lighting effects in their own homes,
providing both versatility and durability in one stylish package.”

White Light is delighted to honour the achievements of former Managing Director Bryan Raven, whose dedication to theatre, sustainability, and industry development has left a lasting impact. Though surprised by the recognition, Bryan has been deeply moved by the response, receiving hundreds of heartfelt messages from colleagues and peers acknowledging his leadership, reliability, and unwavering commitment to the industry.

Throughout his career, Bryan has been instrumental in driving industry-wide initiatives. He played a key role in White Light’s long-standing sponsorship of TheatreCraft, ensuring that aspiring off-stage theatre professionals have access to valuable career support. Reflecting on his involvement, Bryan recalls: “I was introduced to TheatreCraft over a decade ago through personal relationship and their mission resonated with me. It is such a vital event for our industry as it allows the next generation a much-needed insight into the various resources available and the paths they may be able to take. It’s all about encouraging and making sure everything is completely accessible – hence the importance supporting them through sponsoring. One of my proudest achievements is to see that TheatreCraft has become an integral part of White Light’s annual calendar, championed internally by various team members.” Bryan’s commitment extended to helping with the development of TheatreCraft Next Generation, dedicated to 7-15 years old, held at the Science Museum in London in 2024.

Bryan has also been a driving force in nurturing new talent within the industry. His involvement in Skillscene since 2012 and his position as one of the founding directors of the National College Creative Industries (NCCI) led to the creation of White Light’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has provided over 75 young people with a Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship since its inception in 2011. His advocacy work in government lobbying has ensured that technical theatre careers remain firmly on the agenda.

For over 15 years, Bryan has championed sustainability in the performing arts. He recalls: “In 2008, I collaborated with Julie’s Bicycle on the Greening London’s Theatres guide, a practical guide for the industry launched by the then Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. It outlined how London theatres could cut carbon emissions and implement greener practices.” From his early involvement in the Green in London Theatre campaign to his recent work with the Theatre Green Book, Bryan has consistently pushed for environmental responsibility. His collaborations with sustainability leaders such as Julie’s Bicycle, Paule Constable (Lighting Designer), Paul Handley (Head of Production at the National Theatre), Juliet Hayes (Risk & Sustainability Manager at SOLT) to name but a few, highlight his unwavering commitment. Under his leadership, White Light achieved ISO14001 accreditation in 2022—an international standard for environmental management systems—followed by B Corp certification just months later.

Bryan reflects: “We were introduced to B Corp while working towards ISO14001, and we soon realised our existing practices aligned perfectly. It wasn’t about changing our approach but formalising it. B Corp’s mission resonated with us—to grow a profitable, sustainable business with a global reputation for excellence. This wasn’t a short-term sustainability initiative but a long-term commitment to accountability and responsible business practices.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan played a pivotal role in the #WeMakeEvents campaign, advocating for the live events sector at a time of crisis. His efforts in lobbying MPs at the House of Commons helped bring the industry’s challenges to the forefront of government discussions.
Throughout his time at White Light, Bryan was supported by colleagues who enabled him to focus on these vital issues and help shape a better industry. He laughs: “Of course, not every idea of mine was a winner!”

Bryan’s legacy is deeply rooted in White Light’s values, inspired by founder John Simpson’s ethos of ‘doing the right thing.’ The company remains committed to integrity, innovation, and industry support. White Light’s Technical Director Dave Isherwood comments: “”We are proud to see this carried forward by our team, from Stuart Porter’s work with the ALPD to Jonathan Haynes’ advocacy for the Save the Beck Theatre campaign, and Liz Thompson and Sandra Tyler’s leadership of our apprenticeship programme, among many others. As we look to the future and the next generation of leaders, we remain dedicated to upholding these values. We are also pleased to announce Craig Bennett as our new General Manager, reinforcing our commitment to being the industry’s ‘Partner of Choice.’ Bryan’s contributions to White Light—and the wider industry—are truly invaluable, and we couldn’t be prouder of all he has contributed, continues to achieve, and the invaluable lessons he has shared with us.”

When asked what advice Bryan would offer to those looking to make a similar impact, he shares: “In today’s climate, making an impact is more challenging due to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. However, it is now more critical than ever to pursue a responsible business strategy. The next generation of leaders recognises this, which gives me hope. Demonstrating the business case for sustainability and responsibility to external stakeholders is key to fostering a long-term, ethical approach. It will also help attract future talent, as young professionals increasingly seek to work for organisations that align with their values.”

Even as he embarks on new ventures, Bryan remains deeply connected to the industry. His upcoming projects include presenting a climate change paper at Showlight in Dijon (19–22 May), continuing his engagement with the Power of Events to inspire young talent, and working with Theatre Green Book to address embedded carbon in technical products. He is also mentoring business leaders on their career and organisational growth.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Bryan on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued influence in shaping the future of the performing arts industry.

Photography by Danny Kaan

Lighting connectivity experts Tridonic is sharing the success story of the Tridonic Academy; an education scheme designed to deliver vital skills across the electronics industry.

The Academy is a partnership between Tridonic and New College Durham, aimed at ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent for the future. Tridonic is the only electronics manufacturing business in the North East of England working on a partnership of this kind.
Since September 2024, students have been able to access a Tridonic Academy designed level 2 electronics course at New College. The course is specifically a Level 2 Engineering operations (Electrical) Course. This provides learners with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the electronics Manufacturing industry.

The course was designed and led through a collaboration between Ben Kennard, Manufacturing and Supply Chain manager at Tridonic and the College. The collaboration started in 2023 with Tridonic, Business Durham, The North East Institute of Technology and New College working together to support education and industry.

Run over the duration of one year, the course combines theoretical principles with hands-on, practical training. Key for Tridonic is the opportunity to teach skills that the manufacturer needs going forward, including surface mount soldering and use of the placement machine. The trained students can then be recruited from the college; providing employment opportunities for local young people and ensuring Tridonic can build a team of individuals with the right skills.

In preparation of the course starting, Tridonic upskilled two members of staff and two lecturers from New College to become IPC CIT trained. A Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) is a professional who trains and certifies others to become Certified IPC Specialists (CIS). CITs are experts in IPC standards, which are globally recognised benchmarks for electronics manufacturing.

Tina Taylor, Ideas and Training Coordinator, received this training, led the teaching at the College and has become the face of Tridonic with students.

Ben Kennard has also been a guest speaker on the course. Ben has been able to showcase his role in the electronics sector, and the benefits of a job in this industry.

Cementing the partnership further, in February Tridonic invited 2 students from the class that were interested in a role at the manufacturer for a ‘Trial a Job’ day. This gave the students a taster of what working at Tridonic would be like, and also for the company to see what their newly acquired skills could bring into the team.

One of the students was so impressive that he has already been offered a job at Tridonic, which will begin at the start of April. He will initially work at Tridonic for 2 days a week while he finishes his course, with a view to moving to a full-time role on completion of his training.

At the start of this month, a Placement machine was delivered to New College, provided by Tridonic who secured a grant from Business Durham enabling the manufacturer to gift the machine to the college. Tridonic is supporting the college in the set-up of the machine, and passing on the knowledge and expertise needed.

Once the machine is live, a member of the Tridonic team will train the students on a one-to-one basis on the machine, while Tina continues with the knowledge training and workbooks on the machine. This ensures that all students are trained on the machine and operations.

Ben Kennard, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Manager at Tridonic, said that the company is actively involved in designing training programmes that equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the lighting industry.
“It’s about offering opportunities for young people and giving them the skills they need to succeed,” he explained. “We believe in supporting the local community, and these Level 2 courses, in addition to the Level 3 and 4 apprentices that we currently offer with New College Durham are a way for us to contribute to the future of County Durham.”

Tina Taylor, Training and Ideas Co-Ordinator at Tridonic added: “I am extremely proud of my class and how they accept me and Tridonic; they love to learn and are full of energy to solder. I am also very proud to be a part of the whole process and show that even though Tridonic is classed as a SME, we are committed to working with young people and the college to secure future talent.”

Through the partnership, learners can also benefit from educational visits to Tridonic’s Spennymoor facility, giving them first-hand experience of real-world engineering and manufacturing environments.

Reflecting on this, Karl Johnson, Head of School Mechanical, Electrical and the Built Environment at New College Durham said: “At New College Durham, we’re all about closing the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing through fantastic industry partnerships.

“Our collaboration with Tridonic is a wonderful example of how education and industry can come together to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience they need for bright and successful careers.

“Our transformational partnership not only provides learners with industry-led training but also showcases Tridonic’s proactive approach in tackling workforce challenges and attracting future talent. By working together, we’re ensuring that learners leave New College Durham with the skills, confidence, and experience they need to thrive in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.”

The collaboration with New College Durham is a vital component of Tridonic’s long-term workforce strategy. The hope is that in June 2025, Tridonic will be able to identify additional students that want to join their team.