Essex: Lighting firm Armadillo LED eyes overseas growth

A NORTH Essex lighting company is growing its sales nationally and internationally after securing �150,000 in funding from regional finance provider Finance East.

Armadillo LED, formed in 2009, has developed a cutting-edge range of interior, exterior and street light LED applications which offer substantial energy savings and help clients to achieve carbon reduction targets.

The company has been assisted by Chris Chapman of Cambridge and London-based My Business FD, which provides part-time finance directors to growing companies.

Armadillo, which is based in Great Dunmow, began working with Mr Chapman in April last year, with two successful bids, totalling �150,000, being submitted to Finance East shortly afterwards.

Since then, Armadillo has secured a number of major contracts, with clients including Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Harlow and Marriott Hotels nationally.

A recent three-week “road show” tour in Brazil has also resulted in the company establishing a permanent base in Rio de Janeiro in order to capitalise on infrastructure upgrades planned in the country ahead of the 2014 Fifa World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

David Bide, managing director of Armadillo LED, said: “We are currently investing in larger 2,500 sq ft hi-tech facilities in Great Dunmow, and have strengthened our team to ensure we are well positioned to take advantage of growth and the number of high profile contracts we have in the pipeline.”

He added: “Working with Chris has been invaluable. He brings a huge amount of experience to the table and not just on the finance side.”