A CRUMLIN-based firm is lighting the way to a greener future after winning a big contract to produce environmentally-friendly streetlights.

Plastic injection moulding and assembly specialist IPS Manufact-uring, has been commissioned by Mooncell Technologies to produce an innovative form of street lighting that is driven by solar and wind power.

This has the potential to enable countries worldwide to significantly reduce electricity consumption. Already orders are being placed from as far afield as South Africa and Cyprus and IPS has created 40 jobs at its plant ,with the prospect of more as demand increases.

IPS was awarded a grant of £150,000 by the National Assembly for Wales, which enabled it to purchase equipment essential to get the project off the ground.

The grant application process and financing was handled by Stephen Williams, a partner in chartered accountants Kilsby & Williams, who have significant experience of negotiating similar deals.

Mr Williams said: "We became involved with IPS right at the outset, when it was apparent that the project had significant scope. We could see the potential of what they were trying to achieve and facilitated the process by securing the finance.

"There is a real entrepreneurial driving force behind IPS. It's great to see a local company doing so well and actually creating jobs in an economic downturn."

Ken Browne, joint managing director of IPS with Ivan Bignell, said: "The street lights will primarily be used for remote areas where it is very expensive to lay cabling. However, there is a strong 'green' message behind the lights, and we hope that they will eventually become popular in urban areas as well."

Ivan Bignell said: "The Mooncell Technologies contract is a real breakthrough for our company and we envisage that we will double our turnover in six months. We are already increasing our skills base by taking on engineering and design staff.

"We really couldn't have got going without the finance and Kilsby & Williams played a pivotal role in helping us to secure this."

*PICTURED: IPS boss Ken Browne (left) celebrates the go-ahead with Stephen Williams who helped clinch.