Press Release
Release date: 15 July 2009

Cutting edge technology that can reduce lighting costs by up to 35% has been brought to the Yorkshire and Humber region by York-based company Crucible Technologies, an established company known for its innovative use of technology. The move comes in response to growing demand by Yorkshire-based companies for energy saving technology in a bid to cut fuel bills and reduce CO2 emissions.

The Lighting Energy Controller (LEC) which is already being used successfully across Europe by large international companies like McDonalds and IBM, reduces the energy consumption of lighting without changing the lighting levels.   Over a year, the LEC reduces energy consumption and users’ electricity bills by up to 35% and also extends bulb life, reducing maintenance costs. This means the device, which can be simply fitted to existing lighting systems, usually pays for itself in less than three years.   For some users the return period on investment can be as little as 18 months.

Less energy used means less power needs to be generated, and hence less carbon emissions into the atmosphere, with the LEC enabling the average business user to cut their carbon footprint by 10 tonnes of CO2 per year, an amount equivalent to taking two cars off the road.

Seggy Segaran, Managing Director of Crucible Technologies comments:

“After twenty years of working with innovative technology I see energy saving as an important growth market.  Businesses are keen to embrace energy saving technology because it makes good commercial sense and with climate change high on the agenda businesses and organisations also want to do their bit to help the environment.  The LEC ticks all the right boxes, with thousands of buildings across the world ranging from offices, to logistics centres and airports already using it.  We are very excited about bringing this technology to businesses in the Yorkshire region.”

The Carbon Trust, the government body set up to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, is offering interest-free loans to businesses wishing to purchase energy efficiency technology.
 
Tom Delay, Chief Executive, the Carbon Trust commented:

“Small and medium businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and key to the move to the low carbon world. We are extending a helping hand to them by offering more than £100m in interest-free, unsecured loans at a time when bank funding is hard to come by. Our zero per cent loan offer is as close to free money as a business can get, and is flexible enough to help almost any small or medium business, from the corner fish and chip shop to a factory.”

The new technology has already been tapped by York-based company Pavers Shoes, who currently have over 88 stores in the UK and Eire supported from a state-of-the-art 90,000 sq ft Head Office and Distribution Centre.   The company is set to install a LEC in their high fashion stand alone outlet, Staccato at McArthur Glen Designer Outlet next month for an initial three month trial period.

Jim Young, Facilities Manager - Pavers Shoes commented: “The move is part of a wider commitment by the company to reduce our carbon footprint and energy costs. We are already proactive in reducing these costs through the implementation of wind power in Ireland to provide our stores with electricity.  The LEC offers a win-win situation for Pavers Shoes, potentially enabling us to reduce our carbon footprint at the same time as cutting our electricity costs.  Another very important potential cost saving for us will be extended bulb life, with typically £250 per month being spent on new bulb installations at the York Staccato store alone.  I am looking forward to seeing the results of our trial, and hopefully rolling this out to our other stores across the UK”.

Crucible Technologies offers a free ‘Return on Investment’ analysis and electrical survey to any businesses that believe they will benefit from the technology.  They are also able to manage applications with the Carbon Trust “interest free” Loan Scheme. Successful applications will remove the need for a large capital outlay.

Crucible Technologies are holding a free seminar on the 4th of November for anyone interested in learning more about the LEC.   For more information please contact Seggy Segaran on 01904 792211