The Journey of Lineglow

When you can't see what you're doing inside the wing of an aircraft during construction, mistakes happen, and those mistakes are costly. Spotting a gap in the market for lighting solutions, we saw an opportunity to innovate and create something better. Have you ever worked in a tiny, dark confined space, trying to hold a torch in one hand and realising you really need both hands free? This was the premise of Lineglow. After successfully selling our first product, Lineglow, and establishing Kwikbolt as a leader in the aerospace industry, we decided to apply our learnings to this new challenge in the maintenance industry.

Building on our extensive experience in product development, we set out to address this specific need. Collaborating closely with industry professionals, we envisioned a flexible LED lighting solution to make work in confined spaces easier and safer. We pitched our idea to a client facing these issues, and over the next year, we developed prototypes, designed for manufacturing, and passed electrical safety requirements. This journey was filled with rigorous testing and continuous improvement, ensuring our product adhered to IP68 rating (means a device can survive against dust and up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes) as well as ETEX explosion proof high standards.

Lineglow was successfully launched at the 2010 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul show in London and was subsequently purchased by a major distributor. The product's success and acquisition underscore our commitment to practical innovation and understanding market needs. This project taught us valuable lessons in product development, marketing, and sales, paving the way for future innovations. By deciding to licence the intellectual property instead of selling the business, we ensured ongoing improvements and a steady revenue stream, demonstrating the strategic value of our innovation.