Lucy Zodion expands Sowerby Bridge facility to meet growing market demands

Lucy Zodion, a British manufacturer with over 60 years of experience in street lighting control and smart city solutions, is proud to announce a significant expansion of its factory in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. This strategic extension aims to accommodate the increasing demand within the electric vehicle (EV) and equipped pillar distribution markets, which is expected to grow by 30 percent annually over the next few years.

The 1000 m2 extension represents a £2.2 million investment, reflecting Lucy Zodion’s commitment to enhancing its production capabilities and supporting market growth. The new facility will feature a state-of-the-art assembly preparation area, 30 assembly bays, a final test area, a 16-tonne gantry crane, integrated inventory management systems, and an internal loading bay.

John Fox, Managing Director of Lucy Zodion, commented, “The expansion of our Sowerby Bridge facility marks an exciting milestone for Lucy Zodion. This new development enhances our production capabilities and embodies our commitment to innovation and growth. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and expanding our talented team, we are well-positioned to meet the growing demands of the EV and streetlighting markets. The scale of this opportunity is immense, and I am confident that our skilled professionals will drive us toward achieving our business goals.”

The expanded factory’s internal layout supports standardised product builds and bespoke unit assemblies for low-voltage (LV) high-powered EV solutions and streetlighting distribution. This expansion is not only a testament to Lucy Zodion’s growth but also a significant contributor to the local economy through job creation and apprenticeship programmes in the West Yorkshire area, a fact that the company is immensely proud of.

Chris Dumon, Operations Director at Lucy Zodion, stated, “This expansion marks a pivotal moment for Lucy Zodion. The new facility’s advanced capabilities will enable us to meet the rising demand in the EV and streetlighting markets, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers. The sustainable design of the build underscores our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and supporting our sustainable development goals.”

Aligned with Lucy Zodion’s dedication to sustainability, the new build includes the installation of 108 solar PV array panels, generating 44,000 kWh annually. Combined with existing arrays, this brings the total to 442 panels on site, with an annual generation of 131,000 kWh. These initiatives will allow the factory to operate off-grid for much of the year, significantly reducing its reliance on external power sources.

The expansion project, led by Operations Director Chris Dumon, has already commenced with excavation and foundation preparation. The facility’s completion is expected by December 2024.