Member Article

Night vision specialist sets its sights on jobs

A leading night vision product manufacturer is expecting to double turnover and create new jobs with the launch of a brand new innovation.

NiteSite, which has been supported by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), has developed the NiteSite ‘Spotter’, a new handheld unit that provides a guaranteed range of 400 yards.

The York-based company is entering full production on the new device and, following successful exhibitions in Germany and Las Vegas, will officially launch it to the marketplace in June.

As a result, sales are expected to hit £800,000 this year, marking a major transformation in fortunes from its launch in 2011, when all members of staff – including the Directors - worked through the night to assemble more than 200 units.

Jake Horwell, European Sales Manager, continued: “The business has been based on innovation from day one and we are continually talking to the market about what solutions they are looking for.

“Our original products – the NS50 and NS200– have been a huge success and helped provide us with a platform to build on. The impending launch of the ‘Spotter’ marks the next stage in affordable night vision technology.”

He went on to add: “The Spotter is going to be extremely affordable and we expect it to be very popular with hunters and the security market. Our products are different because they have successfully replaced expensive technology associated with the sector, with a much simpler process that is based on the principles of a security camera system.”

Bringing a new product to market is never easy for a SME and the management team at NiteSite quickly enlisted the support of the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to help it turn the ambitious plans into reality.

Advisor John Dodgson visited the business to understand the project and develop an action plan that involved bringing in product design specialists LDT Design to help with the development process.

MAS provided funding for three consecutive projects that firstly involved concept design, market research and 2D foam sketch models then led on to a 3D CAD model of the surface which was suitable for soft tooling.

The final assistance focused on developing the 3D design so that the product could be manufactured using injection moulding production techniques and was suitable for full-scale manufacture.

Jake picked up the story: “We couldn’t have got the ‘Spotter’ developed so quickly without the support of MAS and LDT Design, who both acted as great sounding boards and a constant source of fresh ideas.

“Thanks to the external assistance we had effective prototypes ready for the two recent exhibitions and now have tooling in place that we can put into immediate production when the orders start rolling in.”

John Dodgson, Manufacturing Advisory Service Advisor, added his backing: “Every now and again you come across a company that truly understands its market and, more importantly, shares a business-wide desire to innovate.

“NiteSite is one such example and, better still, they have not been afraid to seek external help when they need it. By tapping into MAS, we have provided strategic and financial support - the latter focused on calling in the dedicated expertise of LDT Design, who have made a phenomenal difference.”

Lee Taylor, Owner of LDT Design, said: “It gives you great satisfaction when a product comes alive and reaches the marketplace, especially when it is as innovative as the ‘Spotter’.

“We work with MAS on a regular basis to help get projects off the ground, unleashing the potential of the region’s manufacturing companies in the process.”

With the launch of the ‘Spotter’ hand held night vision product imminent, the York-based firm is expecting to double turnover this year and build on recent investment that has seen them overhaul its existing building to include large factory space for storage and packing and a dedicated workshop for R&D, assembly and repairs.

Thanks to the recent exhibitions, NiteSite currently supplies its products across the UK and in multiple international countries, with that figure expected to grow within the year.

Jake concluded: “This is a very exciting time and, as part of our expansion, we are hoping to create various new jobs across the business.”

MAS, which is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), works for manufacturers and through experienced advisors can help shape strategy, create new products, reduce waste and review supply chains.

Companies can take advantage of a free review that identifies key priority areas and funding is available for improvement projects focused on increasing efficiency, developing new products, strengthening supply chains and boosting sales.

For further information, please go to www.mymas.org or follow us at @mas_works. More details on NiteSite can be found at www.nitesite.co.uk or by contacting 01759 377235. LDT Design can be reached on 01904 691476 or via ww.ldtdesign.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .