A COMPANY specialising in light switching technology is set to embark on a product development and marketing campaign thanks to £500,000 of equity investment.

In addition Exodus Elect-ronic, which yesterday moved from its Wonastow Road home in Monmouth to a 1,000 sq ft facility in Llantarnam Park, Cwmbran has been offered a £250,000 regional selective assistance grant to help it create more jobs and buy equipment.

Exodus, which employs nine people, has developed a 'Smartswitch' system which can control domestic and commercial lighting systems without cabling or wiring connections. Instead, the Smartswitch unit switches lights on or off (or dims them) by sending radio signals to receivers placed above lighting units in lofts or roof cavities.

Using the system removes the need for rewiring - and costly redecorating when lighting systems need to be replaced.

It can provide complete flexibility to office layouts because the switches can be moved around freely - and can be a boon to heritage sites where unsightly wires will no longer be needed.

With the Electrical Manufacturers Association estimating that about 11.3 million light switches were fitted in the UK last year, the potential market for Exodus is vast.

James Hunter Johnston, (pictured) managing director of Exodus, said: "Smartswitch can be used in a huge range of applications. Historic buildings will use them because they want to avoid chasing into walls when rewiring.

"On the other hand, modern offices which change their lay-out frequently will want Exodus switches because they can be permanently or temporarily placed almost anywhere and moved around at will."

Mr Johnston added Exodus has already been involved in some high profile projects, including providing the remote switch, which enabled Charlotte Church to turn on the Oxford Street Christmas lights and supplying Trinity College, Dublin, with a large consignment of switches for use in the refurbishment of student accommodation in one of the College's oldest buildings.

The equity investment is coming from Finance Wales and Wales Fund managers. Richard Harbottle, of Wales Fund Managers, said: "Exodus is an outstanding example of innovation by a Welsh business."