High Technology Lighting

JCT600 Keighley Albion sponsorship boosts profile of junior rugby ⇑

Published: 17.02.2009

Keighley Albion RFC's new Under 13s junior team has received a major sponsorship boost from West Yorkshire-based JCT600 Ltd, one of the largest privately owned motor retail groups in the UK.

Albion, now aligned as an official feeder club into Keighley Cougars RLFC, has launched an Under 13s side for the first time, which is sporting a JCT-sponsored kit for its debut season in the local junior winter league.

The kit - also jointly sponsored by independent West Yorkshire communications group Link Telecom, of Saltaire - was officially presented to Albion players at JCT600's headquarters in Apperley Bridge, Bradford, by chairman Jack Tordoff.

The deal was brokered by Graham Kemp, of Riddlesden, joint managing director of Leeds-based lighting design specialist High Technology Lighting, which also sponsors Keighley Albion.

The company has a long-standing business partnership with JCT600, having designed and installed new lighting systems at many of the group's regional dealerships, along with its Tordoff House head office.

Together, High Technology Lighting and Link Telecom are also key players in a ground-breaking sporting and private sector partnership seeking to bring about a major resurgence in youth rugby across the area - and make Keighley the great rugby town it once was.

Earlier this year, the two companies teamed up with Keighley Albion and Keighley Cougars to promote junior rugby to all local young people, with the project initially kick-started through a link-up between the Albion U8s & U9s teams and Cougar Cubs.

Regular training sessions, supported by inter-club games and other awareness-raising initiatives, have been staged regularly throughout the year. These, coupled with Cougars' success this season, have already achieved much in helping to attract new interest in the junior game.

Cougars general manager Helen Carter said: "I am thrilled that JCT600 have supported Keighley Albion U13s this way. We have been working closely with the Albion junior set-up and they are going from strength to strength.

"As the Cougars climb the league ladder, as we are doing after our Grand Final win, it is imperative that rugby league is supported at grass roots level to allow us the opportunity to be able to pick home-grown talent. We already have with the likes of James Feather, who came through the Cougar Cubs ranks."

Pic caption 1: Members of Keighley Albion U13s are pictured with their new JCT600-sponsored kit at the group's head office in Apperley Bridge. Back right is JCT chairman Jack Tordoff and back left Albion coach Dean Brookes.

Pic caption 2: Members of Keighley Albion U13s are pictured with their new JCT600-sponsored kit at the group's head office in Apperley Bridge. Centre is JCT600 chairman Jack Tordoff.

For further info, contact Robin Moule, Moule Media, 01756-700445, mobile 07976-559961, e-mail robin@moulemedia.com

Partnership aims to put junior rugby on the map again ⇑

Published: 17.02.2009

A major resurgence in youth rugby across the Keighley area and beyond is poised for lift-off following the launch of a forward-looking sporting and private sector partnership.

Keighley Albion RFC and Keighley Cougars RLFC have teamed up with Leeds-based High Technology Lighting and mobile communications group Link Telecom, of Keighley, to promote junior rugby in a joint effort to make Keighley the great rugby town of old.

The initiative is being kick-started through a link-up between the Albion U8s & U9s teams and Cougar Cubs.

However, all local young people between the ages of seven and 18, both boys and girls, interested in either rugby league or union, are being encouraged to get fully involved.

There's an open invitation to youngsters from across the region to attend the first training session, to be held indoors at Marley Stadium, Keighley, this Saturday (Feb 21), 9-30 - 10.30am.

Freddie, the Cougars mascot, will be present, along with Keighley Albion coaches, Cougars Foundation Manager Dean Muir and Cougar players. It promises to be a fun session, with the emphasis on participation for all ages.

The project is the brainchild of Keighley Albion, which launched junior rugby two years ago with just four rugby-mad youngsters. The club now has 20 junior players - and a vision to breathe new life into youth rugby right across the area in the hope that new Under 7s, Under 8s and Under 9s teams can be established to play in the summer leagues.

Dean Brookes, Albion's first team and junior coach, and club chairman and junior coach John Normington are driving forward the scheme.

They said: "Interest among the region's children in rugby is waning - it's a real uphill battle to get young people involved these days. What we are trying to do is promote amateur rugby at all junior and open age levels, with a major emphasis on developing the junior game.

"Some of these youngsters may well go on to play professional rugby, but one of the main thrusts is to allow those that don't make the grade to continue to play and enjoy amateur rugby at grass roots level. The whole ethos is all about opening up access to youth rugby from the earliest years."

Cougars were quick to offer their support when learning of the flagship scheme. The club is producing 25,000 leaflets promoting the initiative, which are being distributed at Cougar-run street academies and in Freddie Club goody bags going out to all schools across the region.

The club's community development officer, coaches and players will be involved, while information will also be handed out at school festivals being staged at Cougar Park.

In addition, Albion junior players will be given free entry to all first team home league games on production of a membership card, while Albion junior teams will be able to adopt a player, who will then have a training session with them. A Cougar Cubs v Albion Juniors match is also being lined up for Good Friday.

Cougars' general manager Helen Carter said: "Junior rugby league is paramount to the success of the Cougars and we have been committed to developing the game at grass roots level for many years through our award-winning development programme in schools.

"Many of our 1st team players have come through the Keighley Cougar Cubs, including James Feather, Gavin Duffy, Simon Bissell, Tom Hall and Karl Smith. Developing players at this level really does benefit us, not only on the pitch, but also because these young players become our future fans."

Corporate sector support has been pledged by High Technology Lighting and Link Telecom.

Graham Kemp, joint managing director of High Technology Lighting, lives in Riddlesden and his son Harvey plays for Albion Juniors. His company already sponsors an Albion kit and has now agreed to season-long sponsorship deal in the Cougars match day programme as part of the package.

Graham said: "Initiatives such as this teach our young people all about team spirit and camaraderie by getting them out and about and involved in a healthy, safe and structured sporting environment to assist their future development.

"We want as many youngsters as possible to turn up at Saturday's first training session and urge them to bring along a friend. Let's get youth rugby up and running again and help make Keighley a great rugby town once more."

Gary Fawcett, chief executive of Link Telecom, was initially concerned because there were no opportunities for his nine-year-old son Sam to play junior rugby locally. Now a director of Keighley Cougars - his company is also one of the North of England's leading private sector sponsors of education-related initiatives - Gary said:

"It's all about raising awareness of this vital initiative at every opportunity - and getting the region's children and young people engaged in junior rugby, both from a very young age, while at the same time encouraging any late starters. These young people represent the future of rugby in Keighley."

Once the weather improves, future junior rugby training sessions will be held at Albion's Highfield Lane playing fields from beginning of March, with training continuing indoors at Marley Sports Hall on Saturday mornings (9.30am start).

Full details about Saturday's opening training session and the project in general are available from Dean Brookes on 07802 328390, e-mail tucker.brookes@blueyonder.com or John Normington on 07725 230368, e-mail johnpnormington@googlemail.com

ENDS

Pic caption: Teaming up to promote junior rugby across the Keighley area are, from left, Link Telecom's Gary Fawcett, Keighley Cougars Helen Carter, Keighley Albion's Dean Brookes and High Technology Lighting's Graham Kemp.

For further info, contact Robin Moule, Moule Media, 01756-700445, mobile 07976-559961, e-mail robin@moulemedia.com

HTL shines new light on flagship Lapicida HQ ⇑

Published: 23.01.2009

High Technology Lighting has designed and installed a bespoke lighting system for the largest stone and marble showroom in Europe.

The contract has been completed by the Leeds-based lighting design specialist at Lapicida's purpose-built 32,000 sq ft showroom and distribution centre in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

Lapicida Stone Production is one of the country's leading importers and distributors of premium stone tiles.

The showroom, with its sweeping barrel-vaulted ceiling, incorporates sensors that ensure lighting levels are as energy-efficient as possible.

High Technology Lighting's brief was to design a tailor-made, eco-friendly lighting solution ideally suited to, yet in total keeping with the building's charismatic structure.

The installation, since entered for a national lighting design competition, involved many bespoke fittings utilising both low energy LED and inductive lighting technology.

Thomas Holgeth, joint managing director of High Techology Lighting, explained: "Our remit was to light a very large space and we used multiple manufacturers to design a lighting solution to accommodate the specialist needs of the entire building.

"If people tell us they do not particularly notice the lighting, then we know we have been successful. The feedback we have received from Lapicida has been extremely positive."

Managing director of Lapicida, Jason Cherrington, said: "Naked light was also integral to both the ambience and atmosphere of the new showroom. I was guided by the experts and High Technology Lighting has equipped us with a fully-controllable and flexible low energy system that helps us meet our environmental obligations."

ENDS

Pic caption 1 (choice of pics): The Lapicida showroom. Lighting solutions were provided by High Technology Lighting.

Pic caption 2: Leading lights. High Technology Lighting's joint managing director Thomas Holgeth joins Lapicida owner Jason Cherrington at the new showroom.

Bright spark Chris now on books
at High Technology Lighting ⇑

Published: 27.08.2008

So impressed was a Leeds-based lighting specialist with the winner of its annual design awards that it offered him a job with the company.

A bright future now beckons for Chris Bromfield, 22, following his transition from education to a full-time career in the in-house design department at High Technology Lighting, of Middleton Grove.

Chris was a student in design department at Leeds Metropolitan University when earlier this year winning the "Enlighten Design Competition 2008" run by High Technology Lighting.

He saw off strong competition from 13 other design students in the university's School of Architecture, Landscape and Design with a bespoke high-end luminaire providing a low energy lighting solution designed for use in prestige residential developments.

All entries had to incorporate Philips new 'Touch-dim' control gear with linear and circular TL5 fluorescent lamps technology.

Chris, from Wood Green in North London, who gained a BA (Hons) 2:1 design degree at Leeds Met, has spent the summer on work experience in the London-based visual merchandising depart of fashion retailer Jaegar.

He has now moved back to Leeds to take up his first job with High Technology Lighting. "I am really excited and looking forward to the challenge of a career in the lighting sector. It's a dream come true," enthused Chris.

On day one, he was given the task of designing a light fitting for one of the company's Scottish clients.

Chris will also have a major involvement in designing luminaries as part of a government-funded research programme designed to shine the spotlight on - and cut - energy usage across the British construction industry.

High Technology Lighting has been chosen, in the face of strong competition, as the lighting industry's representative on the flagship one-year sustainable technology project and is working in partnership with the School of the Built Environment at the University of Salford.

Thomas Holgeth, joint managing director at High Technology Lighting, said: "The Enlighten Award, which is always based around an energy efficient source, is purpose-design designed to encourage innovation and raise awareness of the industry sector.

"It also recognises and rewards good ideas and helps identify the potential lighting design stars of the future. Chris fits the bill perfectly and he is already making an impact. Being young, enthusiastic and full of bright ideas, he will be good for us too."

High Technology Lighting also reports that its 2009 Enlighten Design Competition will soon be open to the latest intake of students in Leeds Metropolitan University's School of Architecture, Landscape and Design.

Based on the success of the initiative to date, entries are also being invited from other universities across the region.

ENDS

Pic caption 1: Bright spark. Chris Bromfield, right, with Thomas Holgeth, joint MD of High Technology Lighting.

Pic caption 2: Chris Bromfield, new kid on the block at High Technology Lighting.

Background information: Established in Leeds in 1982, High Technology Lighting was acquired via a management buyout in 1997 by then senior managers and now joint MDs Graham Kemp and Thomas Holgeth.

The ISO registered company services markets across the UK, Ireland and Europe and since the MBO has seen turnover grow from �1.3 million to almost £3 million.

High Technology Lighting was highly commended in The Lighting Design Awards, 2008, the industry "Oscars."

Students share Enlightening experience ⇑

Published: 27.07.2008

Chris Bromfield, 22, a student in the design department at Leeds Metropolitan University, is the winner of the "Enlighten Design Competition 2008" run by Leeds-based High Technology Lighting.

The brief in the third annual contest staged by the Middleton Grove lighting design specialist was to design a high-end luminaire utilising Philips new 'Touch-dim' control gear with linear and circular TL5 fluorescent lamps technology.

The competition has been designed to encourage innovation and awareness of the potential the lighting sector can offer and recognise and reward good ideas.

A total of 14 third year BA (Hons) design students in Leeds Metropolitan University's School of Architecture, Landscape and Design entered this year's competition, with Chris judged the victor with his entry "Luminous Attitude," a bespoke low energy lighting solution designed for use in high-end residential developments.

Chris, who hails from Wood Green in North London - he learned the day after his competition success that he had gained a 2:1 - explained:

"A bullet fired through an apple was my inspiration for this light. The clear hand-moulded globes have been worked to reflect the impact of the explosions, utilising a circular luminaire in the base and capturing a moment in time."

Chris said much of the influence for his work came from a three-month Erasmus exchange project in Finland last year and he had since been experimenting with organic forms of lighting.

He now hopes to take his award-winning entry into production. "I regard this success as a major stepping stone to a future career in the design industry," he said.

Chris, who also designs furniture, would appear to have every chance of making these dreams come true should he follow in the footsteps of the inaugural winner of the competition in 2006, Jamie Norris-Green, 24, of Bradford, one of this year's judges.

As a direct result of his success Jamie was offered at job with London-based lighting design consultancy Sutton Vane Associates and has since returned to Leeds to work as a lighting designer with another leading international consultancy Faber Maunsell.

He said:" If I had not taken part in the Enlighten Award I may not even have gone into the lighting design sector. It gave me my all-important first step on to the employment ladder."

The 2008 runner-up was Pontefract- born and bred Dominic Northern with an entry that brought together an unusual combination of light and water. Reflecting a plumbing system, light is allowed to leak out through slashes in the pipework, with a stop tap operating as a dimmer.

Dominic's entry was designed specifically for use in schemes where industrial buildings are converted into prestige residential developments, incorporating sustainable re-use of original features.

The judging panel also comprised High Technology Lighting's joint managing director Thomas Holgeth, the company's lighting designer Richard Whawell, and David Williamson, northern key accounts manager with Philips Lighting, who have been involved with the competition since its inception.

Mr Holgeth congratulated all entrants on their achievements, noting that the standard of entries had improved year on year. He presented a Philips digital photo frame to the winner and certificates to all finalists - plus a cheque for �600 to be used by the design department towards the cost of participation in this year's "New Designer Exhibition" at the Business Design Centre, London, in July.

Mr Holgeth said: "The Enlighten Award, which is always based around an energy efficient source, is designed to raise awareness of the industry sector and help identify the potential lighting design stars of the future.

"We are seeking to develop key skills and improve the lives of young people. These students represent our industry's future workforce and many hold the key to ensuring that our region competes effectively in the years to come."

Pam Oswin, senior design tutor at Leeds Metropolitan University, commented: "Investing in links with our local communities is very important to us and the Enlighten Award helps equip our students with new skills that will actively help them find future employment.

"It is also important that we develop external links with local firms. It provides much more weight for our students, giving them access to the expertise and feedback from professional companies such as High Technology Lighting.

"It also gives students more of an idea of what it's like in the wider world and equips them with more confidence by actually working with people who are in business. This is invaluable - courses like ours cannot survive without it."

Mrs Oswin said the exhibition of the students' work had impressed vice-chancellor Simon Lee, who had actually bought some of the exhibits for display in the university's head office.

Mr Holgeth added that based on the success of the Enlighten Award to date, entry would be opened up to other universities across the region in 2009, with interested parties invited to contact High Technology Lighting on 0113 277 8077 for full details.

ENDS

Pic caption 1: Thomas Holgeth, left, joint managing director of High Technology Lighting, with Enlighten Award winner Chris Bromfield and his prize-winning entry "Luminous Attitude."

Pic caption 2: Thomas Holgeth, right, joint managing director of High Technology Lighting, with Enlighten Award runner-up Dominic Northern and his entry.

Pic caption 3: Students who entered High Technology Lighting's 2008 Enlighten Award are pictured with the judges.

2 pics of the award-winning product are also attached

Lighting firm enters new chapter ⇑

Published: 27.06.2008

High Technology Lighting's success story in the West Yorkshire libraries sector continues.

After completing an installation contract for Bradford Metropolitan Council as part of the �1.1m refurbishment of Keighley Library, the Leeds-based lighting design specialist clinched an order from Calderdale Council to carry out a similar scheme at Brighouse Library, which is currently being revamped.

It is also engaged in discussions with Bradford Metropolitan Council regarding a further lighting contract involving the restoration of the city's Manningham Library. Refurbishment work is due to start in the near future.

At Keighley Library, the first Carnegie library in England, High Technology Lighting installed a bespoke modular lighting system, incorporating decorative pendant lights. The project has since been commended in the Bradford District Design Awards 2008.

Pauline Barfield, senior information manager at Keighley Local Studies Library, said figures for increased footfall since the refurbishment were remarkable. In December, 2006, some 15,000 visitors used the library, rising to 19,000 in the same month the following year when improvement works had been completed - an increase of over 25%.

Pauline said: "Feedback about the new-look library has been very positive - it was a dark and dingy place before and is now so airy and clean, with beautiful lighting. It's a complete transformation - we now have a modern library in an old building, both retaining and enhancing the original architectural features."

Kevin Foulstone, project manager and interior designer with Bradford Council, said: "The refurbishment was purpose-designed to bring the library into the 21st Century, while paying due respect to the historic importance of the listed building and its status as the first Carnegie Library. The scale and style of the light fittings were well suited to the overall project."

In Calderdale, a major �600,000-plus refurbishment scheme fronted by the local authority's Libraries, Arts and Museums Service is taking place at Brighouse Library and the Smith Art Gallery, The Rydings.

High Technology Lighting's joint managing director Graham Kemp explained: "Both Keighley and Brighouse Libraries are stunning Edwardian buildings and our brief was to design lighting solutions that were not only eye-catching, but also totally in keeping with these historic properties.

"We view it as our duty to bring such famous buildings back to their former glories in the most sympathetic means possible - to be enjoyed by future generations, as generations before them have done.

"Our success in this specialist field represents a new chapter in the company's continuing development."

ENDS

Pic caption: Let there be light! High Technology Lighting's Keighley Library installation.

Background information: Established in Leeds in 1982, High Technology Lighting was acquired via a management buyout in 1997 by then senior managers and now joint MDs Graham Kemp and Thomas Holgeth.

The ISO registered company services markets across the UK, Ireland and Europe and since the MBO has seen turnover grow from �1.3 million to almost £3 million.

High Technology Lighting was highly commended in The Lighting Design Awards, 2008, the industry "Oscars."

Low energy lighting partnership sets shining example ⇑

Published: 27.05.2008

Leeds-based High Technology Lighting is trialling new energy-saving eco-friendly lighting in partnership with supermarket group Asda plc.

The Middleton Grove lighting design specialist has installed one of the first pole-mounted external Symmetric luminaire LED lighting systems in the UK at Asda's Leeds city centre head office car park in Great Wilson Street.

Results will be monitored closely and compared against Asda's energy usage and maintenance costs on its existing conventional lighting system. With output reduced from 460w to 257w, the estimated energy saving alone is 45%.

Graham Kemp, joint managing director of High Technology Lighting, said: "The system offers Asda the winning combination of reduced energy consumption, virtually maintenance-free ownership and high quality controlled light distribution.

"Our LED lighting solution also offers a user-friendly white light, which is becoming increasingly important for security and general visual perception purposes, at the same time replacing the conventional orange-in-appearance car park and road lighting, which is much more expensive to both run and maintain.

"Until recently, LED lighting has not been bright enough to use for anything other than decorative ambient lighting. We are one of the first companies in the country to introduce a range of exterior LED luminaries and Asda are an ideal partner as they take their green responsibilities extremely seriously. Their security personnel in Leeds have already sung its praises.

"Once trial results are known, we will be looking to develop the lighting system across both existing and new markets."

Richard England, engineering manager with Asda Stores, said: "We are now shining the spotlight on all initiatives where we believe we can save energy and this trial project forms part of our strategy to achieve 30% more carbon-efficient stores.

"We are happy with the lighting effect - now we have to do our commercial sums to see if it will prove viable.

"Environmental protection and economic sustainability cannot be separated as we seek to minimise our carbon footprint by clearly demonstrating that financial and social responsibility can go hand in hand - saving money, while at the same time seeking to be totally green."

Established in Leeds in 1982, High Technology Lighting was acquired via a management buyout in 1997 by then senior managers and now joint MDs Graham Kemp and Thomas Holgeth.

The ISO registered company services markets across the UK, Ireland and Europe and since the MBO has seen turnover grow from �1.3 million to almost £3 million.

High Technology Lighting was highly commended in The Lighting Design Awards, 2008, the industry "Oscars."

ENDS

Pic caption 1 (choice of product pics - lit and unlit): One of the new low energy LED "white" lighting systems installed at Asda's Leeds head office by High Technology Lighting.

Pic caption 2: Leading lights - High Technology Lighting's joint managing directors Thomas Holgeth, left, and Graham Kemp.