Leicestershire lighting firm plans further US expansion

A Leicestershire-based business which specialises in LED design and installation will see its ambition to expand further into the United States realised, after securing a £25,000 funding deal.

The cash will come from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), supported by the European Regional Development Fund, through a small business loan from appointed fund managers Enterprise Loans East Midlands.

Ventola Projects, which operates from Anstey and a factory in Blaby, was established in 2007 by managing director Mick Ventola following more than 25 years’ experience in the industry working within electrical contracting and data systems.

Ventola said: “We’ve been involved in lighting for more than ten years now, but my personal experience goes back further than that. I started out in 1989 as a sole trader working in electrical consultancy and during this time I started nurturing business connections across the world, from the US to the Middle East, as well as back home in the UK, expanding into new markets and sectors.

“Since then we have gone on to deliver some very high profile projects including work on palaces for the emir of Qatar and home of a Kuwaiti sheikh, which have both been an amazing experience. On top of that, we’ve also extended our links with a company in the States who will now supply our branded products as our official distributor for this region.”

Ventola said his firm will use the cash to attain certification, manufacture forward stock and invest in marketing and PR activity.