Innovation, Business and Rural Development
December 1, 2011

A Bright Future for Local Marine Lighting Manufacturer

Marine Industrial Lighting Systems, a supplier of lighting in the marine services sector, will receive a $500,000 investment from the Provincial Government. The investment will help the company with product development and certification activities to capitalize on emerging business opportunities in the Canadian and European offshore and marine industries.

“Many of Newfoundland and Labrador’s companies operating in the ocean technology sector have, or are about to enter, exciting growth periods,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “Marine Industrial Lighting Systems is an example of one such enterprise. The company has been effective in creating awareness of its lighting system and is now well-positioned to take advantage of large marine and industrial market requirements for custom manufactured, efficient lighting products.”

Marine Industrial Lighting Systems has partnered with Lightpartner, which is based in Germany. The partnership is focused on developing a full range of explosion-proof lighting for use in offshore industries in Asia, the Middle East, and North Sea.

“This is another fine example of a local company expanding its business,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Service NL and MHA for Topsail. “Marine Industrial Lighting Systems has been in operation for more than a decade and with such vision and determination will prove to be a leader in marine technology for years to come.”

Established in 2000, Marine Industrial Lighting Systems will use the investment for product testing and development and implementation of a quality assurance system. The company will also utilize greater marketing and business development activities to expand its operations.

“This funding will help the company proceed with the development and certification of new products, some of which currently do not exist in the marketplace,” said Sid Cox, President, Marine Industrial Lighting Systems Ltd. “It also provides us with a strategic foothold going forward, and emphasizes to the global market that leading edge technology can be performed in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

This investment was made through the OceanTech Smart Growth program. Initiated under Oceans of Opportunity: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Ocean Technology Strategy, a five-year, $28 million strategy designed to capitalize on opportunities and expand the local ocean technology sector, this program helps private sector enterprises advance projects that focus on ocean intelligence, ocean observation, and vessel observations.

“There are tremendous opportunities for companies operating in the ocean technology sector,” said Minister Hutchings. “Through Oceans of Opportunity, the Provincial Government is supporting small businesses capitalize on those opportunities. We are committed to continuing to develop the sector and increase its value, which currently sits at half a billion dollars.”

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Media contacts:

Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570; 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca	Janice Cave Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Paul Davis MHA for Topsail 709-729-6670 janicecave@gov.nl.ca
Sid Cox President Marine Industrial Lighting Systems Ltd 709-747-5504

2011 12 01             10:20 a.m.