BSPA sees the light

BIRMINGHAM Science Park Aston (BSPA) is entering into an agreement with a lighting specialist to create an industry-leading test and measurement operation for energy efficient lighting and photonics products.

The venture, with Bridgend-based LUX-TSI to create LUX-OPC, is expected to create eight jobs and will offer cutting edge facilities for SMEs working in this field. 

BSPA’s Optical Performance Centre will become one of two state-of-the-art testing laboratories to be run by LUX-TSI. LUX’s Bridgend facility focuses on energy efficient lighting, electrical performance and safety testing, while the Birmingham testing laboratory will specialise in the optical performance aspects of new lighting and photonics technology and deliver training programmes for the industry. LUX-TSI will manage both facilities; in return, BSPA will take an equity stake in the business.

Dr David Hardman, CEO of BSPA said: “A key driver for this agreement was the opportunities that LUX-TSI’s ‘preferred partner’ status with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) will generate for Birmingham. UL is the world’s largest safety testing company, and since 2010 LUX-TSI has tested the performance of a vast array of consumer electronics and new energy efficient lighting products.”

The science park’s £770,000 project, which will be run under the new arrangement with LUX-TSI, is to be known as the Ultra Efficient Lighting Product Development Centre.