Opsol on course to hit £2m turnover

Oct 28 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

AN electronics manufacturer believes it is on course to hit its £2m turnover target after beginning work on a sophisticated “black box” to be used in cars.

Cramlington’s Opsol UK has signed a contract with North Yorkshire firm Blacktrack Limited, which will see it manufacture technology which monitors the speed and stability of cars in the event of a crash.

The firm believes the technology, which is similar to the black boxes used on planes, will help bring in £750,000 worth of business over the next 12 months as it looks to grow its turnover from £234,000 to £2m by 2010.

The firm expects to more than double its sales to £500,000 by the end of the year after working with a number of companies to develop and make a number of sophisticated technologies.

These include a contract with domestic water purification firm O3 Products, also in Cramlington, to develop an “ozone generator” which will neutralise nasty smells in the home rather than hide them with a scent.

The firm is also planning to increase its workforce from eight to about 15 by next year, with more expected as the air freshener technology and black box hit the market.

Production manager Martin Ormston said: “We are well on track to hitting our targets and this new contract will help us grow during what is a difficult period in the wider economy.

“The black box is very high spec and will help to reduce insurance premiums for those wishing to prove that they are safe drivers.”

Other ongoing contracts include the manufacture of a new gynaecological instrument for medical technology firm Tyne Valley Surgical in Prudhoe, Northumberland, and domestic heating and humidity technology for Idratek in Newcastle.