The companies, which supply LED lighting systems for signage applications, have identified a joint strategy as the most effective way of moving forward.

Carl Hodgson, managing director of LUMAIRE, explains: “For us it is both an endorsement and a vote of confidence that we have developed our LUMAIRE product to be at the forefront of the market place and now VINK have embraced this opportunity to carry on from our successful inroads into the sign industry and really drive it forward, providing the distribution platform it deserves.”

Mirroring these comments, David Foreman, who spearheads VINK in the UK, adds: “Some time ago, VINK identified an opportunity in the market place to supply edge-lit illuminated light panels, but until now have not been able to find a product with sufficient quality or a reliable supplier who could provide the necessary support to turn this opportunity into a successful business.”

LUMAIRE’s Simon Berry goes on to explain that the partnership came about through word-of-mouth: “I met with Paul Robinson and Jamie Bonser from their head office and through their enthusiasm for the product we were able to approach David Foreman, who saw a real opportunity in VINK adding LUMAIRE to its portfolio of products.

“Since its launch in September 2013, LUMAIRE has enjoyed a very warm reception from sign-makers as a versatile and bright alternative to LED modules and fluorescent lit fascia signs. The extra thin profile of only 30mm required without the need for rear back trays has meant that sign-makers are now able to install faster and offer brighter, more contemporary looking signs with a much greater profit margin.”

Foreman continues, explaining the further significance of the announcement: “VINK enjoys sole distributorship of the two main brands within this market sector, GE and Osram. When LUMAIRE developed their edge-illuminated product, it came as no surprise that VINK showed great interest, and a partnership was very soon established to take full advantage of each company’s individual skill sets.”

Since the launch, the LUMAIRE light panel has already undergone a number of changes. Berry claims improvements include LED strips that are 20 percent brighter, offer a crisper whiteness of 6500k and the reflective technology on the rear sheet has increased to 98 percent effectiveness.

The improved LUMAIRE light sheet product will be on show at VINK’s stand (F20) during Sign and Digital UK.

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