Greengage AgriTech Ltd - CEO
Greengage is one of the brightest stars in agri-tech committed to solving the increasing challenges in global food production by applying the science of light, academic research and the latest technology to a range of innovative LED lights, sensors and data analytics.
Greengage deliver the very latest in energy-smart and cutting-edge agricultural lighting solutions.
Lighting is an essential part of the agricultural process and within large scale intensive farming, Greengage are market leaders providing cutting edge products that enable farmers to better grow food and improve animal welfare while running a sustainable and profitable business.
Greengage AgriTech Ltd is a leading global manufacturer of "ALIS" an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting and induction power systems, founded in 2008 and based at The University of Edinburgh's Easter Bush Campus in Midlothian.
The agri-technology company provides induction powered “clip on” lighting and sensors to livestock farmers. Their ALIS LED lamps clip onto inductive power systems provide reliable, energy efficient and suitable lighting, sensors and control systems for improved farming environments for poultry, pigs and cattle.
Midlothian Science Zone talks with Mr Steve Parson, CEO of Greengage AgriTech Ltd
What is your background and role in the organisation?
I have over 20 year’s experience in the poultry industry including two years as COO of Grampian Country Food Group (2004 - 2006) and then as MD of Cobb Europe Ltd for three years (2006 to 2009). I have also been a partner in a business that achieved $4m turnover within five years.
I was a member of the British Poultry Council management committee, and a founding board member of the European Poultry Breeders Association.
My role as CEO of Greengage is to manage our team of engineers, agricultural experts and sales staff; meet with board and shareholders and meet with our distributors. I regularly attend trade shows and key events which is important for feeding back industry information and trends to our team and helping to shape the next generation of ALIS products.
What are you focused on at the moment and what does the future hold?
Currently Greengage is focused on delivering new products from our engineering road map. These make the best use of our induction power technology. Participation and exhibiting at key international events, takes our product platform to interested customers.
We are currently working on inductive sensors that will expand the ALIS product platform for new and current system users. These new products allow a “bolt on” option that will be provide key information regarding livestock animals.
Why did you choose to locate to a research campus?
Greengage was established in London during 2008 and in October 2015 we relocated to The Roslin Institute, recognised worldwide as the birthplace of Dolly the Sheep.
We were attracted by the University of Edinburgh's strong agricultural presence and its cluster of animal, livestock and farming expertise in the immediate and surrounding area of the Easter Bush Campus. Having access to world class experts in various fields relating to livestock animals is invaluable to us. Our engineering team has direct contact with leading researchers and this adds value to our product development pipeline.
Scottish Enterprise and local organisations also offered attractive funding opportunities for agricultural organisations such as ourselves.
What do you enjoy most about working in Midlothian?
I travel up from Cheshire to the office for three days of the week so I enjoy the locality of the airport and the contrast of the Pentland hills. In general, the Roslin Institute and the wider Easter Bush Campus is ideal for Greengage and we were one of the first tenants to move into the new gateway development, the Roslin Innovation Centre, which opened late summer 2017.
For further information, please contact:
Greengage AgriTech Ltd
Charnock Bradley Building
Roslin Innovation Centre
University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian, EH25 9RG
e: info@greengage.global
t: +44 (0)131 650 8851