During his time working as Hire Manager at a small local rental company, founder of Illuminate Lighting Ltd Jonathan Pask saw an opportunity. Unable to easily get hold of additional desks and other lighting control equipment, the entrepreneur was driven to create a hire company with a difference; one that offered the latest generation of lighting consoles exclusively to rental houses.
According to Pask, at the core of his business' concept is the promise to deliver the very best equipment, provide excellent technical support and offer the ability to hire only the specific equipment a client requires.
"It's very important that when a customer hires kit it's clean of previous show files and configured for use," says Pask. "We send each console out with the latest software installed (or another version if preferred) and make sure it's physically clean so it feels like a brand new desk each time. If something unexpected happens during a tour, then we are there to support them. That's the standard of service we strive to deliver."
Since forming in 2014 and taking up residence at Production Park, Wakefield, the company has gone from strength to strength, supporting the rental operations of such recent tours as All Time Low, Chris Stapleton, The Cribs and Pierce the Veil to name but a few.
"One of my proudest moments was when a client enquired as to my next investment as they were keen to rent the product as soon as it was in, simply because of the high rental standard and great support they receive," says Pask. "This demonstrated that they trusted me and my company to deliver exactly what we promise to deliver."
Pask ensures this happens by stocking highly advanced, well-maintained control equipment from some of the industry's most well-respected brands, including Avolites. Indeed, Illuminate Lighting Ltd's first ever purchase was an Avolites Quartz with Titan Mobile Wing with Pask citing "Avolites is what I know best."
"I knew the Quartz was going to be very successful so ordered one as soon as it was released," he continues. "It's a fantastic console for its size and is easily my favourite desk to use on a daily basis."
As well as the Quartz, Illuminate Lighting Ltd stocks an Avolites Sapphire Touch console, with Pask recently investing in a second to meet high demand.
"Buying another Sapphire was an easy choice," says Pask. "It's a great console with great hardware features such as the motorised faders and two large screens.
"I find the Sapphire Touches are definitely the most sought after consoles in my stock and I'm certain I will be investing in further units as this demand increases."
Pask praises the intuitive nature of all Avolites products. "What I like most about Avolites and the Titan software is the intuitive but powerful software," he explains, "I've had clients who are not familiar with it at all who very quickly pick up how it works. Everything is where you would expect it to be on the interface and it's very easy to get a show up and running quickly."
Looking to the future of his business, Pask has big plans: "I would like to build on Illuminate Lighting's success by investing in more Avolites equipment to meet the demand of my client base, as well as increasing the range of ancillary products and show control infrastructure in stock such as Titan Net Processors and Titan Network Switches. I'm also about to add another person to my team - 2017 is going to be a great year!"