Harvard extends reach

INNOVATIVE manufacturer Harvard Engineering is celebrating another year of growth after opening international offices across Europe and the US.

The Yorkshire company, which designs, develops and manufactures LED drivers and control products for the lighting industry, opened facilities in Italy, Germany and the US last year as part of a five year growth strategy to increase exports from 25 per cent of turnover at the end of 2011 to 50 per cent by 2015.

Harvard said the US accounts for 20 per cent of the $75bn global lighting market and the expansion offers the company “a significant opportunity”.

Harvard has also put in place distribution partnerships in the Czech Republic, the Middle East, Ireland, and Australia.

It already has an office in France, covering both the French and Spanish markets, and plans to appoint sales representation in the Benelux region in the near future.

Russell Fletcher, sales and marketing director at Harvard, said: “Following our continued success in the UK, we put together an expansion strategy to make our market leading products available worldwide. The new offices are just the first step in our progressive plan to make Harvard an internationally renowned brand.”