GlassGuard® is Europe’s leading manufacturer of fragment retention lamps, providing a solution for all businesses and organisations wishing to eliminate glass contamination from accidental lamp breakages. We manufacture an extensive range of products to IEC 61549 (BS EN 61549) Fragment Retention Lamp Standard. They are designed to provide the highest level of protection for the food production, pharmaceutical, hotel and catering industries as well as public areas such as schools, leisure centres and hospitals.

GlassGuard® is a trading division of Fotolec Technologies Ltd.

Established in 1976, the company originally manufactured and distributed reprographic lamps for the printing industry. The business was founded on innovation, using existing technology and resources. Today, we continue to deliver a first class service based on the same principles.

Key Milestones

1976 – Reg Payne starts his business under the name of Fotolec.

1992 – The first GlassGuard® fluorescent lamp is produced after market research showed a need for shatterproof lamps within the food industry.

Late 1990s – GlassGuard® recognises a new developing market. Lamp coating techniques are developed to increase product ranges for metal halide, mercury and incandescent lamps. National electrical wholesalers become distributors of GlassGuard® coated lamps.

2001 – Operations expanded with the investment of automated machinery to produce 20,000 hour service life fluorescent lamp coatings. GlassGuard® move to a new site in Thetford.

2001 – GlassGuard® joins the Lighting Industry Federation and establishes a technical committee to drive an international standard for fragment retention fluorescent lamps.

2003 – Contracts secured to supply major pest control OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) with GlassGuard® coated UVA insect lamps.

2004 – Operations extended overseas with the signing of major distributor deals within Germany and France.

2005 – GlassGuard® secures business with major retailers to provide GlassGuard® lamps for food preparation areas.

2006 – Major food giants Cadbury and Nestle begin to use GlassGuard® lamps at their manufacturing sites.

2010 – BS EN 61549 (IEC 61549) Fragment Retention Lamp Standard is introduced throughout Europe.

2010 – GlassGuard BlackBand® fragment retention lamps to BS EN 61549 (IEC 61549) is launched.

2010 – GlassGuard® enters into a partnership with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to promote industry compliant fragment retention lamps to all certificated food and packaging manufacturers.

2011 – GlassGuard® joins electrical industry portal Voltimum as a manufacturing partner.

2012 – GlassGuard® extends overseas operations with the signing of major distributor deals within Spain.