LIGHT SHINING AHEAD FOR ZETA AS IT EXPANDS PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

The Zeta Group designs and manufactures intelligent electronics for the automotive market. It was formed by Phil Shadbolt in 1989 as a spin-out of Oxford Brookes University

By the year 2000, Bicester-based Zeta had become the market leader in special purpose vehicle controls, and diversified into the LED and solar lighting markets.

Zeta Specialist Lighting now develops and manufactures LED and solar powered lighting systems, including for street and amenity lighting, signage and commercial lighting, helping to bring down energy bills and carbon emissions.

The business employs 35 people and turned over £4 million last year.

For his services to business and innovation

Phil was awarded an OBE in 2016. He is also a board director at Oxfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership.

He remains as ambitious as ever for Zeta. This summer the Group was part of a consortium, led by Swindon-based

SSE Enterprise, which secured a £3.4 million government grant for a scheme to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging for drivers without off-street parking.

The £5.2 million EV scheme will see SSE Enterprise install 300 charging hubs at 35 local authority-owned car parks across Oxfordshire.

Managing Director Adrian Dennis said:

“Solar systems are very much driving growth, particularly in the UAE where there is of course an abundance of sunlight”

“Solar systems are driving growth, particularly in the UAE where there is, of course, an abundance of sunlight. We are also seeing increased demand for LED solar signage solutions among sign-makers in Europe, with sales of products including the Zeta Light Guide Panel and Bespoke Solar Signage Kit far exceeding targets.”

The company has also established a new company, Zeta Intersection Management, to development a traffic management system.

It is now seeking investment to develop its artificial intelligence control strategy which it says significantly improves traffic flow through roundabouts and intersections for connected and autonomous vehicles. Zeta is also celebrating 30 years of business by a further 50 per cent uplift in export sales.

Oxfordshire LEP offer a threeyear business support programme called eScalate. It provides access to finance and commercial readiness support for potential scale-up companies, including social enterprises.

For more information, contact eScalate Team on 01865 897181 escalate@oxfordshirelep.com