Light fantastic for Hill & Smith

HILL & SMITH, supplier to the infrastructure and construction industries, has won a £10 million contract to supply the largest street lighting PFI initiative in the UK.

The Solihull-based group has been awarded a contract by Southern Electric Contracting under the South Coast Street Lighting PFI, in partnership with Caparo Steel.

The five year contract starts in April and involves the supply of 100,000 lighting columns by Hill & Smith’s subsidiary Mallatite.

The £225 million, 25 year South Coast Street Lighting PFI is the largest street lighting PFI project in the UK and includes lighting services for Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and West Sussex County Council.  The work involves replacement and maintenance of streetlights, illuminated signs and bollards.

This success follows on from the award last year of an £8 million five year contract for 72,000 lighting columns, under the Surrey Street Lighting PFI Scheme, to Hill & Smith’s subsidiary Mallatite. Several similar major schemes are also being tendered for.

Hill & Smith chief executive Derek Muir said: “We are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project that continues our strong relationship with SEC and highlights the strength of our product and service offering.”

Jacquie Stuart of SEC commented: “SEC are pleased to award Mallatite this contract for the largest street lighting PFI contract in the UK.  This further strengthens our relationship and we look forward to working closely with them over the next five years.  We continue to reinforce our position in this market and are currently bidding on a large range of projects.”