Looking back at the history of new product - BGB SILS

As a leading global engineering specialist, BGB is always looking for ways to integrate the latest technology into our products and searching for niche markets where new innovations are needed. Back in 2004, when we sat down to discuss how new contactless technology could work for our rotary solutions, our founder David T Holt, asked the question: "Why would you want to drill holes into your million-pound yachts?” The question was raised following our recent investment into an underwater technology firm that provided access to a range of underwater equipment including a powerful, yet cumbersome light. At the time, many believed that creating contactless underwater lighting was an impossible task – which only fuelled our ambition to develop it. Fuelled by the ambition to prove the market wrong, our R&D department started work on increasing the gap allowance between the LEDs and power source when fitted to a vessel, and once we had a working demo, we contacted the industry’s key manufacturers. When British luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker invited us to present our prototype at its Poole HQ, we knew we were onto something big. We have been relentless with the testing of our product after hearing about so many quality issues with lighting in the marine market – especially where cheaper lights are concerned. We want to make sure that our lights are not only tested to the minimal industry standard, but going above and beyond that as well. Recently, we have passed both Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Radio Equipment Directive (RED) testing, and are currently running the product through Low Voltage Safety testing and CE marking – soon, BGB SILS (Submersible Inductive Lighting System) will be ready for full release. The boating industry can, at times, appear to be lacking in innovation, which is why a company like ours, that seems to disrupt the ‘norms’, attracts a lot of attention. With this, we plan to build relationships with like-minded companies that will help us develop the next big thing and allow the marine industry to move forward. When we recently demonstrated SILS at IBEX (International Boatbuilders Exhibition) in Tampa, the reception from delegates was wholly positive, with many commenting on how impressed they were by the technology. Alongside the contactless functionality, we have also worked hard to ensure that the outer housing unit keeps the LEDs cool – increasing their life expectancy (double that of other lighting companies) – as well as using a corrosion-resistant material to maximise this. The technology we have incorporated into the final product also allows users to control each light remotely, using inbuilt Wi-Fi. If users already have Wi-Fi on their vessel, service engineers can potentially fix or pre-empt any problems that may occur, reducing the need to lift the boat out the water. In the next couple of weeks, we will be heading to METS TRADE in Amsterdam to showcase BGB SILS to the European market. Make sure to head across to stand 03.330 if you’re there!