Ambitious expansion plans by leading electrical solutions provider, Scolmore Group, will see three major developments come to fruition during 2019 - the launch of a new, independent lighting company; the appointment of industry expert Mike Collins to head up this new enterprise, plus the acquisition of an additional 67,000 sq. ft. of head office and warehouse space, to accommodate the rapid growth that the business is enjoying.
In a bid to position the company among the top performing UK lighting solutions providers, Scolmore has made a significant investment to develop a dedicated lighting company – OVIA Ltd - that will allow them to extensively broaden their product offer and operate in a wider range of sectors alongside the mainly residential and light commercial ones they currently service.
The company is delighted to have secured well-known and highly respected lighting industry operator, Mike Collins, who moves from Ansell Lighting to head up the new OVIA company. Having spent his entire working career within the electrical industry, Mike brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge, garnered during this time working within both wholesaler and manufacturer environments.
With OVIA Ltd due to be officially launched later in 2019, Mike, who joined the company in early May, is focussing his efforts on an extensive research and development programme to create a comprehensive lighting product offer that will meet the requirements of the new sectors the company will be targeting. These include Commercial, Industrial, Utility, Amenity Emergency Lighting and Floodlighting. A team of experienced sales reps are being recruited over the next few months to create a network of talent to take the new OVIA Ltd offering out to customers across the UK.
The name OVIA is already a well-known name within the industry having been introduced by Scolmore in 2011 as the umbrella brand for the company’s growing lighting collection. Having enjoyed considerable success with its lighting division to date, Scolmore recognises the huge market potential that has come with the transformation of the lighting sector in recent years, with the emphasis on energy efficiency and connected systems.
Scolmore has a reputation for innovation – the result of a commitment to invest in new and improved products and the latest technologies – and will continue to demonstrate this through the new company. A history of industry firsts within lighting helped shape the company’s reputation. Scolmore was the first to market in 2005 with fire-rated downlights, with the award-wining FlameGuard® fire protected and acoustic rated products. They were also the first to introduce an integrated downlight that overcame the issue of shallow ceiling voids, with their Inceptor integrated downlight with patented pre-wired Flexi driver. Inceptor remains a highly-regarded brand among contractors and wholesalers and the key features and benefits of this sophisticated product range will help shape the new OVIA product offer.
Commenting on the new developments for the business, Scolmore Group managing director, Gary Mordue, said: “Whilst operating as a totally separate limited company, OVIA Ltd will have the full backing and support of the Scolmore Group, with the same commitment to only supply through the wholesale channel which is set up to supply and service the professional electrical contract market. This joint partnership will continue to guarantee our wholesale partners a range of high-quality, value-for-money products backed up by excellent local stocks, delivery service and the ability to offer detailed product support via trained staff and installer training, making sure the end user gets the best possible products and solutions for the job.
“The investment in somebody as well-known and experienced within the industry as Mike to head up the new venture, demonstrates the significance we attach to the development of this stand-alone company. I feel very confident handing the reins to this new venture to someone of his calibre.”
Added Mike Collins: “I am delighted to be joining the Scolmore Group at what is clearly a very exciting phase in its development. The company doesn’t hold back when it sees an opportunity to develop a new product offer that will stimulate growth for itself and its customers. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to head up this new business. Our aim quite simply is to bring to market - on the back of extensive research with customers, contractors and competitors - a range of OVIA lighting products that will provide contractors with the quickest and easiest to install lighting solutions that will save them time and money on a project and that they can source through the reliable wholesale channel.”
It is anticipated that the new OVIA company will occupy the current head office space in Tamworth, Staffordshire, with the existing Scolmore business being relocated to the new nearby premises which are due to be up and running early next year.