A BLACKBURN firm which supplies lighting to a host of global firms has been taken over by the third generation of the same family.

Andrew Gibson, managing director at Tyson Lighting, has purchased the remaining shares from its previous owners – his mum and dad Philip and Carol Gibson and his uncle John Gibson.

The company, which has a 20,000 square feet headquarters at Gibson House, in Walpole Street, had a turnover of £3m last year with clients including Pizza Hut, Greene King and Harvey’s Furniture Store.

In the past year, Tyson, founded in 1961, has increased staff numbers, scaled up production and invested in new IT systems as it attracts new customers from Asia and Europe.

Andrew Gibson said he hoped to build on the firm’s success, which saw it complete 1,200 projects in the retail, hotel and leisure sectors last year.

He said: “At Tyson Lighting, we are known for supplying an excellent product at a fair price. We remain focused on our customers, ensuring we deliver the very best from initial concept right through to continuity of supply.

“We’re nimble enough in size to move with fashion and trends, whilst simultaneously anticipating client and market demand both in the UK and internationally.

“We are working hard to secure long-term partnerships with specifiers and clients who we know rely on us to be a well-educated and efficient authority in lighting.”

Philip Gibson will stay on as chairman of the group, which has recently taken on a sales agent in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and is partnering with a Saignon-based architect to assist with the development of its Asian market.

The Richmond Terrace office of Farleys Solicitors provided legal advice for the takeover, while Egan Roberts, based at Philips Road Business Park, handled the financial side of the deal.

Keith Roberts, principal of Egan Roberts said: “Having worked with the Gibsons for many years, we look forward to watching the business develop further during this next exciting phase of its growth.”