Zero 88 celebrates 35th anniversary as part of Cooper Controls Ltd

At PLASA 07 Zero 88 celebrated its 35th birthday and announced a new chapter as part of Cooper Controls Ltd. Founded in 1972, Zero 88 has enjoyed a long and successful history in the entertainment industry. Over the years they have serviced different markets from their early disco days to the broad range of theatre, live performance, late night venues and architainment applications supplied today. Probably two of the best known products were the Sirius range of lighting desks and the Betapack dimmers. Betapacks are now in their 3rd generation. In 2000, Zero 88 merged into the newly created iLight group. This group of companies was set up to address all areas of the lighting control market. iLight was focused on architectural lighting and Zero 88 retained its focus on the entertainment market. During this period the Frog range of lighting controllers and the Chilli range of dimmers were introduced to the market. In 2005 the iLight group was acquired by Polaron plc, a diversified AIM listed group of companies with a focus on lighting control. Their investment saw the launch of the Frog 2 and Jester lighting controllers and the launch of the Betapack 3.

Pictured at PLASA 07 (left to right): Graham Eales (Managing Director - Zero 88), Mark Eubanks (Director Business Development - Cooper Controls), Joe Stelzer (Managing Director, Global Business - Cooper Controls), Claire House (Marketing Manager - Zero 88)

Finally in 2006 Polaron was acquired by the US Fortune 500 company Cooper Industries (NYSE:CSBE) and a new sub division, Cooper Controls was established within one of the core businesses Cooper Lighting.. Cooper Controls has a strong focus on addressing all lighting control needs globally. iLight continues to be focused on architecture and Zero 88 on entertainment. Also part of Cooper Controls are two energy management based lighting controls businesses: Novitas (occupancy sensors) and PCI Lighting Controls (relay control panels). With these acquisitions, Cooper Controls now offers a comprehensive suite of lighting controls solutions from architectural dimming to entertainment control to energy management systems. Being part of a major corporation, whose focus is to be a leader in the development of comprehensive and integrated lighting control systems, has brought a new dynamic to Zero 88. Graham Eales, Managing Director of Zero 88 explained “With corporate offices in the Middle East, Asia, Russia and Europe we are better able to provide local market support and technical service to our dealers and end user customers.” The growth opportunities provided by increased investment in research and development and a resulting pipeline of new products will be of great benefit to the rapidly growing Zero 88 dealer and distributor network. Cooper Industries, Ltd. is a global manufacturer with 2006 revenues of $5.2 billion, approximately 85 percent of which are from electrical products. Incorporated in Bermuda with administrative headquarters in Houston, Cooper employs approximately 31,000 people and operates eight divisions: Cooper B-Line, Cooper Bussmann, Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Cooper Lighting, Cooper Menvier, Cooper Power Systems, Cooper Wiring Devices and Cooper Tools Group. Cooper Connection provides a common platform for Cooper's marketing and sales to electrical distributors.

Celebrating: Graham Eales and Franck Tiesing, Northern Europe Sales Manager of Zero 88