Marl International has invested £150,000 to modify the assembly line with capability of handling PCB boards of up to 600mm long at its site in Ulverston Cumbria. This improvement enables LED output to double andputs the company in a prime position to benefit from the rapid growth of an emerging ‘green’ lighting technology.

Marl is not only ramping up its output of LED lighting modules that act as a direct replacement for much less efficient lighting technologies, but will also enter the electro-mechanical module assembly business aiming to match offshore pricing with quality, UK manufactured products. Existing customers include the Formula 1 Association, British Energy and the British Waterways Board.

The new line has been accommodated at Marl’s existing premises, which have been extensively refurbished to accommodate the equipment. A team from Marl’s 120 Ulverston staff has been retrained to operate the new line, which is fully automated, and will run on a 24 hour shift basis. Marl has experienced rapid, profitable growth over the last two years and has funded the investment from the cash that it has generated. In October 2011, Marl announced a £120,000 investment in its prototyping facilities