A Q&A between Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC (AIM:LST) CEO Simon Deacon and Proactive on the company's latest milestone—a new project supporting Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in developing a smart agriculture research centre.
Proactive:
Simon, very good to speak with you this morning. How much of a showcase is this for your AgTech capabilities?
Simon Deacon:
Good morning, Stephen. Good to see you again. This is a really good showcase for our AgTech division, bringing together all of our product range. As you know, we design, develop, and manufacture within our UK circuits electronics solutions division up in Manchester. So what this is doing is bringing all of our capabilities—our turnkey approach—to Nottingham Trent University (NTU), who are looking to develop a smart agricultural research centre.
It's a really exciting project for us to get our teeth stuck into.
Proactive:
As you said, this incorporates a whole range of AgTech products as well as other parts of the business. Simon, how does the broader group set you apart from competition?
Simon Deacon:
Over the years we've developed a number of products and designs. Within Tomtech, we’ve been operating for over 30 years, so we have a lot of experience within the AgTech division. We’re bringing sensorGROW, which is our sensing technology and software, and nurturGROW, our lighting products.
On top of that, we’re integrating the Tomtech computer system for environmental control—so that NTU can manage the environment in their controlled agriculture research. This brings together all of the key products we’ve developed and will be a great showcase as NTU expands into vertical farming, indoor growing, and commercial projects.
Proactive:
AgTech’s been making great progress this year. Simon, what do you see as the key drivers for further growth for the AgTech division?
Simon Deacon:
We’ve worked very hard over the years to build our profile and brand. Our sensorGROW and nurturGROW offerings, along with the Tomtech computer system, are starting to scale. We see growth both in the UK and internationally—especially in Eastern and Western Europe and other parts of the world.
Whether it's building glasshouses or polytunnels, we’re also seeing a resurgence in vertical farming in some regions. It’s an exciting time for the AgTech division. That £45 million quoted pipeline is being converted regularly, and there's a lot more to come.
Proactive:
What do you see as your key tools in driving further value, Simon?
Simon Deacon:
The key tools come down to providing that turnkey solution for our clients. They don’t just want lighting—they want control of the whole environment. Having that capability in-house, including manufacturing, is really shaping our future in the industry and in the AgTech division.
Proactive:
Well, Simon, congratulations on this latest contract win. I hope you'll keep us posted on the next one.