Lightstep Technologies steps up GCC expansion
Irish fire and life safety firm to focus on pilot schemes in Qatar and UAE’s oil and gas sectors
Lightstep Technologies, the Irish fire and life safety firm, has announced that it has been awarded its first local GCC awards in Qatar, with more to follow in quick succession as it steps up its expansion into the region.
The company designs a lighting guidance system for floors and stairways that incorporate automatic activation in a smoke-filled environment, said Gary Brown, international business development manager. As such, he hopes to tap into a market that has previously been ignored by current incumbents.
“The issues we’ve identified with regards to life safety are that companies specialising in fire safety technologies tend to focus on the actual assets, .i.e.: the buildings themselves. We protect the actual people and the lives within that building. Our goal is to educate the region on the latest developments in the market, and bring in the experience of others in the field to educate the local community,” he explained.
“Currently our business plan is to achieve all local approvals for all GCC regions. The next 12 months will see us focus on agreeing pilot schemes with various oil and gas companies. We are now talking to major oil and gas companies in Qatar and the UAE and our technology is becoming increasingly recognised as being a potential leader in life safety,” Brown added.
Lightstep was recently the recipient of the ‘Outstanding Achievement in Fire Safety’ award from IQPC which rewarded nominees for their ‘outstanding personal contribution to fire prevention or public safety education – above and beyond normal business practices and their leadership skills.
“To be recognised at such prestigious awards is an honour and is very overwhelming. This is the company’s first international fire award outside the UK, and so for it to be earned in the GCC which is our primary market is a great feeling,” Brown said.
He added that he hoped the award would help promote the company and act as a springboard for rapid growth in the region. As such, Lightstep will focus on pilot schemes and the developing market in the GCC.
“We do not want to lose the momentum that has now been gained with the traction we have had here. We want to build upon this success and achieve our overall objective, which is to become number one in the world of intelligent fire safety technology.”
