Durham City’s Artech Lighting opens new bases after contracts success

A lighting maker has opened new bases to build on growing momentum.

Artech Lighting is now running branches in Scotland and London.

Bosses say the expansion comes after the Durham City-based business defied the COVID-19 pandemic to secure a host of orders and contracts.

Work included supplying lighting for projects such as Sunderland’s new City Hall, office developments in London and the redevelopment of the University of Strathclyde.

It has recruited experienced lighting experts Nathan Thorpe and Jack Martin to spearhead its expansion, with Nathan the new managing partner of Artech Lighting (London) and Jack holding the same title for its Scottish venture.

Director Stuart Hylton [pictured below] said: “It is a really exciting time and I’m delighted to welcome Nathan and Jack.

“Having spent the last three years establishing ourselves in the UK and global marketplace, we are certain this executive team will ignite the next stage of our evolution.

“These hubs are the future of the business. Not only will they allow us to penetrate new markets, but they will also help as we expand our manufacturing operations here in the North East, creating more highly skilled jobs at a time when they are most needed.”

Nathan, from Witham, operates across all sectors and has established a strong reputation in and around London.

Spending 20 years at Zumtobel Lighting, he secured work on many major projects, notably for the Barbican refurbishment and redevelopment of Financial Times’ headquarters.

He said: “I genuinely believe this is a fantastic opportunity and the perfect time for Artech Lighting to take a significant share of the London market.

“I want to ensure that the Artech brand becomes one of the most recognised in the London lighting market and to be part of the DNA of this dynamic, growing business is exciting.”

Lighting controls expert Jack, from Ayr, has overseen his own business and worked as a lighting consultant throughout the UK and Middle East in recent years, having established himself with electrical controls specialist Helvar.

He added: “Opportunities like this don’t come along too often, so when it did, I grabbed it with both hands.

“The structure of the business, customer service and product quality are second-to-none.

“I’m really happy to be part of a business competing with established global brands offering lighting of superior or equivalent performance with no compromise on quality or service.”

Artech says each its new hubs will use its Durham production facilities and will receive support with product design and development, project support, purchasing, sales, marketing, quality systems and centralised accounts.