Name

Fotolec Technologies Ltd

Legal name

Fotolec Technologies Limited

Website

https://fotolec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fotolec Technologies Ltd is a UK family-owned manufacturer (founded 1976, Thetford) of GlassGuard shatterproof fluorescent and LED lamps, proprietary LED luminaires, and BioShift UV-C disinfection chambers, serving food manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, pharmaceutical, and military customers via direct B2B sales and global OEM coating services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lighting Manufacturing

NAICS

Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Electric Lamp Bulb and Other Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (335139)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hazardous Location & Explosion-Proof Lighting (ATEX/IECEx, intrinsically safe fixtures) (IMAGAIAC), UV Germicidal Light (UV-C) & HVAC Disinfection Systems (HSAOAIAI)

Keywords

• Shatterproof lighting
• Industrial LED fittings
• Fluoropolymer lamp coating
• Food safety lighting
• UV-C disinfection chambers

Headquarters

HQ city

Thetford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Specialist Shatterproof Lamps: Manufacture and sale of GlassGuard BlackBand shatterproof fluorescent lamps (T5, T8, T10, T12), UVA insect lamps, UVC germicidal lamps, and HID lamps. Products sold with fragment retention coating applied. Revenue from one-time product sales with varying wattages, lengths, and colour temperatures.
2. Shatterproof Coating Services (OEM): Direct extrusion, dip coating, and powder coating services applied to customer-supplied lamps and linear tubular products. OEM partner for outsourced shatterproof lamp coatings. Customer own branding facilitated. Global dispatch and call-off stocking available.
3. LED Fittings and Luminaires: Sale of in-house manufactured LED luminaires including LiveLED, SurVivaLED, BayLED Eco, ReliaLED, InvincaLED, ViaLED, FloodLED, BaseLED 69, PetroLED, ZexLED, EmLED, BulkLED, PaneLED, UFO LED, and Animal-Centric Lighting. Incorporates Philips/Signify LED components. Revenue from product sales of fittings and luminaires.
4. FEP Heat Shrink Tubing: Sale of GlassGuard FEP Heat Shrink Sleeving in T5, T8, T10 & T12 sizes on continuous 100M reels or cut lengths. Enables customers to make their own shatterproof lamps to IEC 61549 standard. Used in lamp processing applications.
5. UV-C Disinfection Chambers: Sale of BioShift UV-C pass-through disinfection chambers. Two sizes (large with four trays, small individual use). Uses ultraviolet C germicidal radiation. Primarily for healthcare and industrial facility bio-security protocols.
6. Philips RDL Distribution: Official UK distributor of Philips RDL (Retail Display Lighting) products. Stocks complete range including LED drivers, Integrade LED units, profiles, centre cables, side cables. Replacement parts and components. Split box quantities with next day dispatch.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fotolec Technologies Ltd manufactures specialist shatterproof lamps and LED fittings under its GlassGuard brand, using proprietary FEP and FTFP fluoropolymer coating technology that retains glass fragments to IEC 61549 standard on accidental breakage. The company also produces in-house LED luminaires for industrial, outdoor, and hazardous-area applications, UV-C germicidal and insect-attracting lamps, BioShift UV-C disinfection chambers, and provides OEM coating services (direct extrusion, dip coating, powder coating) to global lamp manufacturers.

Product overview

Fotolec Technologies Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer of specialist lighting solutions established in 1976. The company operates two main product divisions: (1) Shatterproof Lamps and Coatings under the GlassGuard brand, including BlackBand fluorescent lamps (T5, T8 formats), LED tubes, FEP heat shrink tubing, and various coating services (dip coating, powder coating, direct extrusion) that retain glass fragments in case of breakage to IEC 61549 standard; (2) LED Fittings for industrial, outdoor, and special applications including LiveLED, SurVivaLED, BayLED Eco, ReliaLED, InvincaLED, PaneLED, UFO LED, BaseLED 69, ZexLED, PetroLED, ViaLED, FloodLED, BulkLED, and EmLED. The company also offers specialized products including BioShift UV-C disinfection chambers, Opti-Catch retrofit LED insect lamps, Safelux Red military-approved lamps, UVA/UVC germicidal lamps, and Animal-Centric Lighting developed with Signify. Additional offerings include coating services and distribution of Philips RDL products. All products emphasize contamination control, energy efficiency, and compliance with food safety standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GlassGuard: GlassGuard® is Fotolec's brand for its shatterproof coating products, including BlackBand® fluorescent lamps, FEP heat shrink tubing, and fluoropolymer coatings for glass fragment retention to IEC 61549 standard.
• BioShift
• Opti-Catch
• Safelux

Products and services

• GlassGuard BlackBand Standard Fluorescent Lamps Shatterproof fluorescent lamps (T5, T8, T10, T12) with high-temperature fluoropolymer coating applied externally to retain glass fragments and phosphor powder on accidental breakage, compliant with IEC 61549 standard and FDA 21CRF177.1550 for food contact. Sold in multiple wattages (8W-80W), lengths, and colour temperatures for food production, industrial, and hygiene-sensitive facilities.
• GlassGuard T8 LED Tubes Retrofit LED tubes with GlassGuard fluoropolymer shatterproof coating for replacement of fluorescent tubes in high frequency, mains, or direct mains connection applications. Offers up to 60% energy saving versus conventional T8 lamps and up to 50,000 hours service life. Used in food manufacturing and industrial facilities requiring fragment retention.
• GlassGuard LED GLS Lamps Virtual filament LED chip traditional GLS and candle-shaped lamps with GlassGuard fragment retention coating. Impact resistant to 4 metres with up to 90% energy saving compared to halogen and incandescent lamps. Designed for food processing and hospitality environments requiring shatterproof illumination.
• Opti-Catch Retrofit LED Lamp LED replacement for fluorescent insect-attracting lamps using UV and blue LEDs with patented diffusion technology. Directly replaces 15W fluorescent lamps in existing switch start systems without upgrades. At 6W, more efficient and cheaper to run than traditional lamps, lasting up to three years versus one year for fluorescent. IEC 61549 compliant with GlassGuard coating.
• GlassGuard FEP Heat Shrink Tubing FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) heat shrink sleeving enabling customers to make their own shatterproof fluorescent lamps to IEC 61549 industry standard. Available in T5, T8, T10, and T12 sizes on continuous 100M reels or cut lengths for lamp processing applications.
• Safelux Red T5 8W Military NATO Approved Lamp Low light level red fluorescent lamp emitting up to 26% more light between 600-700 nanometres than standard red lamps. NATO approved for sensitive military locations with anti-tear polycarbonate sleeving. NATO Stock No. 6240-99-537-0535.
• GlassGuard BlackBand UVC Germicidal Lamps UVC germicidal fluorescent lamps with high-temperature resistant fluoropolymer coating for glass fragment retention. Used in sterilization systems for food, water, and air filtration applications requiring shatterproof UV-C sources.
• GlassGuard BlackBand UVA Insect Lamps UVA insect lamps in linear, circular, single-ended, and U-bend configurations. Coated with high-temperature resistant fluoropolymer for shatterproof protection in Electronic Fly Killers (EFKs) used in food production and hygiene-sensitive environments.
• GlassGuard Dip Coating Service FTFP fluoropolymer dip coating service for products with low heat tolerance including LEDs, sensitive electronics, and plastic components. Cures at lower temperatures than standard fluoropolymer coatings with up to 98% UVA transmission and high chemical resistance for splash-proof or waterproof encapsulation.
• GlassGuard Teflon PFA Powder Coating Service High-temperature Teflon PFA powder coating service for elliptical glass and odd-shape vessels up to 190mm x 330mm. Withstands in-service temperatures up to 260°C for industrial applications requiring durable fluoropolymer finishes.
• GlassGuard Direct Extrusion Coating Service Direct extrusion coating service for linear fluorescent and LED lamps at high speed providing shatterproof coatings to IEC 61549 standard. OEM partner for outsourced shatterproof lamp coatings with customer own branding facilitated, call-off stocking, and global dispatch. ISO 9001:2015 certified and major lamp OEM supplier approved.
• BioShift UV-C Disinfection Chambers Pass-through UV-C germicidal radiation chambers for disinfecting shared handheld devices, hand tools, mobile phones, shoes, and personal belongings. Eliminates over 99.99% of common viruses in one minute of exposure. Two sizes available: large with four trays for high-traffic entrances, small for individual use. Stainless steel construction using ONCE (Signify) UV-C technology.
• LiveLED IP65 LED Batten Fitting IP65 LED batten fitting with GRP open-rated body. BRC approved luminaire incorporating Philips BlackBand FEP coated chemical-resistant LED T8 lamps for food production and processing facilities.
• ReliaLED LED Bay Fitting Powder-coated steel bay fitting designed for clean operating environments with temperature control. Up to 255W system wattage with up to 40,000 luminaire lumens output for industrial high-bay applications.
• SurVivaLED IP66 Chemical-Resistant LED Luminaire IP66 chemical-resistant LED luminaire with GRP body and PMMA diffuser designed for harsh environments including food production wash-down zones. Stainless steel accessories for demanding applications.
• BayLED Eco High-Bay LED Environmentally friendly high-bay warehouse LED lighting using Philips Fortimo HE HV4 LED boards and Xitanium drivers. Up to 238W system wattage for warehouse and industrial facility illumination.
• InvincaLED Stainless Steel Harsh Environment LED Stainless steel harsh-environment LED fitting designed for extreme operating temperatures and chemical cleaning regimes. Up to 130W system wattage for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing facilities.
• PaneLED Office LED Panel Office environment LED panel lighting with aluminium and plastic construction providing uniform, even light distribution for offices, retail spaces, classrooms, and conference rooms.
• UFO LED High-Bay Warehouse Luminaire Warehouse high-bay LED lighting using Fortimo High Bay G2 Module with best-in-class energy efficacy of up to 170 lm/W for logistics and warehousing applications.
• BaseLED 69 IP69 LED Luminaire IP69 chemical-resistant LED luminaire with PMMA body and diffuser designed for aggressive and demanding environments including food, agriculture, and chemical industry applications.
• ZexLED Explosion-Proof LED Fitting Explosion-proof LED fitting for hazardous areas compliant with ATEX directive 2014/34/EU for use in explosive atmospheres in Zone 1 and 21. Designed for pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and petrochemical facilities.
• PetroLED Forecourt LED Luminaire LED lighting designed for petrol station forecourts to enhance safety and reduce energy and maintenance costs. Up to 72W system wattage for outdoor hazardous-area-adjacent environments.
• FloodLED Exterior LED Flood Light Exterior building LED flood lights for replacing high-intensity discharge versions to reduce energy and maintenance costs in outdoor commercial and industrial applications.
• ViaLED Street Lighting LED street lighting using Philips Fortimo Fast Flex modules and Xitanium outdoor drivers for various street lighting applications. Up to 120,000 hours service life for municipal and infrastructure projects.
• EmLED Emergency LED Bulkhead Emergency LED bulkheads and luminaires for replacing old GLS and compact fluorescent bulkheads to reduce energy and maintenance costs in commercial and industrial buildings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 99.99% virus elimination in 1 minute of UV-C exposure in BioShift chambers
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ONCE (a Signify Company)coreTechnology or IntegrationONCE (a Signify Company) is the UV-C technology provider for Fotolec's BioShift UV-C disinfection chambers. ONCE provides the ultraviolet C germicidal radiation technology used in the BioShift pass-through chambers for disinfecting shared devices and personal items. Testing by a recognised laboratory confirmed >99.99% virus elimination in 1 minute of exposure.
• Signify (formerly Philips Lighting)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFotolec is a licensed user of Philips/Signify branded LED components, controls and drivers. Philips LED boards and drivers are incorporated into Fotolec's luminaires offering up to 100,000 hours service life and high efficacies. Products include Philips Fortimo Fast Flex modules, Xitanium drivers, and Master T8 LED tubes. Also official UK distributor of Philips RDL (Retail Display Lighting) products.
• BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFotolec Technologies is in partnership with BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Foods Standard). Fotolec is the only lighting manufacturer in partnership with BRCGS. Works closely with certificated food processing and distribution sites to consult and deliver fit-for-purpose low maintenance lighting installations tailored for different environments. Supports food manufacturers with compliance and best practice.
• Lighting Industry Association (LIA)minorOthersLong-standing member of the Lighting Industry Association (LIA). The LIA provides technical, reliable and accurate information to assist in professional development as a lighting manufacturer. Membership provides credibility and confidence to customers in delivering quality compliant reliable products.
• ONCE / Signify — Animal-Centric LightingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFotolec distributes Animal-Centric Lighting products by Once (a Signify Company). This is the world's first lighting technology combining UV with colour preference technology for poultry. Stimulates circadian rhythms for natural hormonal and physical development. Products include IxoS Pro LED, Silox Pro Tube, SLS-2 Sunlight Simulator, Tulex Pro Tube, EPU-1500 Electronic Dimmer.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eaton (Cooper Lighting Solutions): Eaton's lighting division, including the legacy Crouse-Hinds hazardous-area brand, provides industrial, hazardous-location, and food and beverage lighting fixtures. It competes with Fotolec's ZexLED, SurVivaLED, and other industrial LED luminaire product lines.
• MaxLite: MaxLite is a US-based LED lighting manufacturer with a broad portfolio of commercial, industrial, and hazardous-area fixtures. Its energy-retrofit and industrial fixture ranges overlap with Fotolec's LED luminaires for warehouses, food facilities, and harsh environments.
• Hubbell Lighting: Hubbell is a US-listed broad-line electrical and lighting manufacturer, including the Chalmit hazardous-area lighting brand that competes with Fotolec's ZexLED. Its industrial solutions overlap with Fotolec's lighting fixtures for industrial and logistics facilities.
• GE Current, a Daintree company: GE Current is a major industrial LED lighting and controls provider serving commercial, industrial, and food and beverage customers globally. Its broad portfolio overlaps with Fotolec's commercial and industrial LED fittings and energy-retrofit use cases.
• Signify (Philips Lighting): Signify is the global lighting incumbent and parent of the Philips brand. It is simultaneously a Fotolec supplier (LED components, UV-C) and competitor through its broader industrial, food, and UV-C portfolios that overlap with multiple Fotolec product lines.

Direct peers

• Hanovia (a Halma company): Hanovia is a UK-based specialist in UV-C disinfection technology for industrial, food and beverage, and healthcare applications. It directly competes with Fotolec's BioShift UV-C disinfection chambers in germicidal solutions for hygiene-sensitive environments.
• Glamox: Glamox is a Norwegian lighting manufacturer specializing in LED solutions for marine, offshore, industrial, and harsh-environment applications. Its IP-rated and hazardous-area luminaires overlap with Fotolec's SurVivaLED, InvincaLED, and industrial LED fittings.
• R. STAHL: R. STAHL is a German specialist in explosion-proof and hazardous-area lighting, control, and electrical equipment with ATEX/IECEx certifications. Its product range directly competes with Fotolec's ZexLED ATEX-certified explosion-proof fitting for Zone 1 and 21 hazardous areas.
• Shat-R-Shield: Shat-R-Shield is a US-based manufacturer of shatterproof and protective-coated lamps for food processing, food service, and industrial applications. It is the closest direct competitor to Fotolec's GlassGuard BlackBand business, competing on the same IEC 61549 fragment-retention standard.
• Dialight: Dialight is a UK- and US-based specialist in industrial LED lighting with strong positions in hazardous area, food and beverage, and heavy industrial applications. It directly competes with Fotolec's ZexLED, SurVivaLED, and BayLED product lines in industrial installations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fotolec-technologies-ltd

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fotolec Technologies Ltd