HARVARD ENGINEERING AND VENTURE LIGHTING IN JOINT WORKING AGREEMENT Leeds based Harvard Engineering plc and Venture Lighting Inc from Cleveland USA have entered into a technical and supply agreement which means Harvard will work with Venture to develop new ballasts for Venture's new lamp developments. The agreement also enables Venture to use its factory in India to manufacture the new ballast technology for sales into the USA. Harvard will still continue to invest in its manufacturing base in Leeds. Established in 1993, Harvard Engineering has grown from a one man operation as a small niche player into an £8m turnover company employing around 130 people. It is now a world leader in the design and manufacture of electronic ballasts and control gear, supplying some of the world's neatest control products for the commercial, retail display, street lighting and emergency lighting industry. The company was advised by Nick Watson and Alex Newman at newly appointed legal advisers Hammonds Venture Lighting is the world's expert in Metal Halide lamps and is the largest manufacturer of these lamps which are used in outdoor and retail display lighting. Based in Cleveland USA with a turnover of over $250m, Venture has operations in UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, the USA and Germany. John McDonnell, managing director at Harvard Engineering says; "The agreement is a great deal for both parties. It enables Harvard to remain at the forefront oflamp-ballast technology whilst retaining its independence and gives Venture the ability to bring new lighting systems to market at attractive price points and distribute them to areas that Harvard has been unable to service. It's an exciting time for us all." Wayne Hellman, chief executive officer at Venture Lighting, the fastest growing metal halide lighting company in the world, adds; "We recognised Harvard as a world class ballast engineering and manufacturing company that had the technical ability to work with our lamp engineers at the cutting edge of HID technology. We have numerous new lamp developments underway and we needed a flexible and responsive design company to keep pace with us. Harvard has the depth and breadth of knowledge in ballasts that when coupled with our expertise in HID lamps will generate exciting new solutions for our customers." Nick Watson, corporate partner at Hammonds' Leeds office, said: "Harvard has market leading technology. It is a real growth business and one to look out for in the Yorkshire market. This is a great deal for John and the rest of his team, and provides a further platform for the company's continued growth". www.harvardeng.com www.venturelightingeurope.com