ACDC creates 20 new jobs

A Pendle based manufacturer has created 20 new jobs after investing in new machinery, with support from a government grant.

[caption id="attachment_40463" align="f-align-medium-right f-align-center" width="300"] Ian Clark, ACDC[/caption]

ACDC is a manufacturer of architectural LED lighting, a cost effective and energy efficient alternative to halogen light sources. Their products are created in Barrowford and distributed worldwide, earning the company the Large Business of the Year title at the last two Red Rose Awards.

As the lighting industry is at a stage where LED will become the dominant source, ACDC recognised an opportunity to grow by investing in manufacturing equipment to create new products to complete their lighting range.

To achieve this growth, they also needed to increase their office space, due to their current facility being full.

ACDC received a non-repayable £150,000 grant payment to contribute towards the full cost of the project from Regenerate Pennine Lancashire which is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. The project has led to the initial creation of 20 jobs and the company plans to create further roles over the next four years if growth continues.

Ian Clark, finance director at ACDC, said: “It is clear that an LED boom is happening, so by increasing our production rate and product range we can grow and create new jobs quickly. We predict that around 75 to 100 jobs could be created by 2018 as a result of our investment.

“Regenerate’s financial contribution was a big help as without it, new product development would have been staggered over a much longer period. This would have delayed recruitment or even prevented it from happening.” Hugh Roberts, deputy director at Regenerate, said: “This support from the Regional Growth Fund will help ACDC with their growth plans and capitalise on the rising demand of LED lighting, creating new jobs and opportunities for people in Lancashire.”