A Blaenau Gwent company that manufactures light filters for the film industry is expanding into the £17 million global 3D glasses market.

 

Cotech Sensitising, which is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, manufacture a variety of coated plastic films that are mainly used as lighting filters by the movie, TV and entertainment industries.

 

The company’s filters have been used to make some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster movies and a network of distributors supply its products to 40 countries worldwide including the USA, Europe, and India. It exports over 60% of its products and turnover for 2008-09 was £1.5m.

 

Employing 19 people at its headquarters in Tredegar, on the Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, the firm was established in 1979 by Ken Wilson and Daniel Llovet. Over three decades jobs have been provided for 105 employees contributing £4.2m to the local economy. 

 

Approximately 500 million 3D glasses are sold around the world each year. Following the renewed focus on developing 3D glass technology, highlighted by Channel 4’s recent week-long run of programmes in 3D, Cotech has plans underway to break into the sector in the New Year (2010).

 

Daniel Llovet, co-founder and Marketing Director, Cotech, said: “We’ve always been a company that’s innovated and diversified to ensure our long term success. Broadly there are two main types of 3D glasses, the iconic blue and red tinted glasses with cardboard frames and polarised glasses with plastic frames which use concentric circles in the lenses to create the illusion of 3D. 

 

“We will produce the blue and red tinted model. Market research tells us we need to manufacture the complete item, lenses and frames to ensure success in this sector. We can easily make the lenses and we’re currently working on production techniques for the frames.”

 

The company, which is also looking to develop new markets with its existing product in China and South Africa, has been supported by Venture Wales the country’s leading business support agency for SMEs.

 

Chris Jarvis, Venture Wales’s regional manger for the upper Valleys, and his team, worked closely with Cotech to develop a business plan to support a £250k expansion project which attracted grant funding that was used by the company to extend its office, warehouse and dispatch unit. Through Venture Wales the firm also worked with partners on export missions which helped it forge new trade links.

 

Phil Cooper, Chief Executive, Venture Wales, said: “Cotech is a great example of a Welsh SME that has created a sustainable business that is constantly evolving to ensure its future success. We’ve been proud to be able to provide advice and support that has helped them to grow and work with new partners.

 

“SMEs characterise the Welsh business landscape accounting for 99% of Welsh firms, and we help over 1,250 grow each year. We’re well placed to provide companies across Wales with credible, practical and effective advice and support.”

 

For more information about Venture Wales please contact tel: 0845 0453 150; or visit the website at: www.venturewales.com