Marl International Limited specialise in the design, manufacture and supply of visible LED indication, illumination, components and systems.

With over 35 years' experience, an ongoing commitment to our ethos of Quality and a company that is constantly growing, we are seen as a pioneering leader in the specialised field of LED technology.

Our main product ranges include:

Marl invests £120,000 in prototyping

Marl's new PCB router

Marl International has invested £120,000 in tools for prototype and small batch production, to handle growing demand for its specialist LED lighting assemblies. The investment will allow Marl to turn around prototypes of its bespoke lighting solutions for customers and its own LED lighting products significantly faster. Marl, a pioneer in LED lighting, attributes its success to the fact that it handles the whole process from design to prototyping, volume manufacturing and test on a single site.

The new machining centre and printed circuit board (PCB) router will allow Marl to turn around most prototypes within a week of the acceptance of a design by its customers. The tools produce housings, mechanical parts and circuit boards straight from the CAD (Computer Aided Design) output generated by Marl's design team.

Commenting, Marl Managing Director Adrian Rawlinson said, "Marl's strength is our ability to produce energy efficient lighting solutions for specific customer requirements. Well-known organisations that we have supplied include the Formula 1 Association, British Energy, British Waterways Board, Network Rail and Nokia Siemens Networks. We have also been very successful in engineering our own products to address specific market opportunities, such as infra-red LED assemblies for use by the security forces, and security lights. The investment we have made will allow Marl to be even more agile when addressing these kinds of opportunities in future."

Marl has invested in an LPKF Protomat® S100 PCB routing machine, a Hurco TM6 2-axis CNC (computer numerical control) lathe and a Hurco VM20 3 axis machining centre. The Hurco machines increase Marl's capacity to produce prototype housings and mechanical parts by 50% and doubles the company's rate of mould tool production. Both machines feature a high degree of automation, allowing designs to be built straight from the CAD files generated by Marl's design team.

The LPKF PCB router is a state-of-the art system, which eliminates the need for Marl's staff to handle hazardous etching chemicals. This CNC machine also works direct from CAD files, and can build single or double sided boards with up to two layers. It can produce aluminium clad boards, which is key for designs where thermal management is a factor. Using the machine, Marl can produce a prototype PCB in just a few hours.

Marl named Business of the Year

Adrian Rawlinson, David Ford and Marl staff accepting the award
Photograph courtesy of The Westmorland Gazette

Energy efficient LED lighting specialist Marl International was named Business of the Year at the Westmorland Gazette Business and Tourism Awards, fighting off competition from companies across South Cumbria, North Lancashire and the Dales. Marl was also presented with The Westmorland Gazette's Innovation and Technology Award.

Presenting the Business of the Year award, Tony Whiteway of sponsors CLB Coopers said, "Marl International is a dynamic and fast growing player in the LED lighting industry, a market they helped develop from its infancy. Marl pioneered a new technology, built up a leadership position, and supplies blue chip companies around the world with energy saving lighting solutions. As a result of Adrian Rawlinson's vision 30 years ago, Ulverston can boast an internationally successful technology business bringing 120 quality manufacturing, engineering and management positions to the town."

Accepting the award, David Ford said, "On behalf of the whole team at Marl, I am delighted to accept this prestigious award. One of our strengths is the fact that all our products are designed, assembled, tested and shipped under one roof here in Ulverston, Cumbria. Marl continues to invest in this team. For example in 2011, we spent £120,000 in new machine tools enabling us to turn around prototypes more quickly and reliably in house."

Marl International was one of the pioneers of the LED industry, with nearly 40 years experience of providing innovative photonics solutions. Marl has now supplied more than 100 million LEDs. Some of the world's first solid state light bulbs were made by Marl in the 1980s and today these are still enhancing the operational performance and reliability of host equipment in countless defence and aerospace applications.

Subscribe to our mailing list