AmbiSpace Becomes UK Manufacturer of Specialist Fibre Optic Lighting Products

Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024

AmbiSpace Ltd is delighted to announce that they are expanding the company with the acquisition of machinery, equipment and materials following the closure of Flexion Optical Fibre ltd.

This exciting expansion ensures AmbiSpace continue to lead the way in the industry as Sensory Specialists with the capability for production and extrusion of fibre optic lighting products. AmbiSpace Ltd is now one of only two companies in the UK producing fibre optic lighting products and the only sensory specialist company with in-house fibre optic production capabilities.


Moving to a new unit near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, AmbiSpace is thrilled to welcome three new members to the AmbiSpace team. Steve Lewis - Head of Fibre Optics, Cheryl Wrenn – Fibre Optics Technician Supervisor and Jenny Alexander – Senior Fibre Optics Technician. Formerly of Flexion Optical Fibre Ltd, they bring over 75 years of specialist experience, knowledge, and expertise in the field of fibre optics for sensory industrial, medical, and commercial product development, manufacture, and supply. 

Steve Lewis said:


“We are looking forward to working with the AmbiSpace team and the exciting new challenges ahead as we help to make AmbiSpace the leading sensory company in the UK with new innovations and ideas to support people with special needs and neurodiversity in everyday places”

With this new facility, machinery, and expertise, AmbiSpace has already begun the production of bespoke fibre optic carpets at their new premises for supply to a commercial partner for use in the aviation industry.


Kevin Wheatley, Managing Director of AmbiSpace Ltd is confidently targeting the full extrusion and polishing lines will be up and running by January 2022 for full production of polymer and glass fibre optic lighting products.

“As a long standing client of Flexion we were immensely disappointed to hear of their plans to close the business earlier this year. It is an important product range for our sensory customers and not one easily replaced from elsewhere. We realised that other Flexion clients would be in the same boat, so we immediately began to look for a way to rescue the business and keep it going.

 

It was a challenging process, but a successful result delivers a giant step forward for AmbiSpace as we add UK manufacturer of a uniquely specialised product range to our portfolio of specialist services. Combining the exceptional skills of Steve, Cheryl and Jenny with our existing team of creative designers and engineers is going to turbocharge growth for the business and stimulate innovation in fibre optic lighting.”

AmbiSpace has a reputation for quality of service and collaboration with commercial clients and partners, with this exciting development they are looking forward to freshening up the fibre optics market and supplying innovative UK manufactured products to existing and new clients. If your business would like to learn more, purchase or develop products with AmbiSpace, please get in-touch via email to kevin@ambispace.co.uk.

Contact Us

Share Post

Introducing the Nook Stop – Making Shopping Inclusive at Frenchgate

By Melissa Holling • March 27, 2025
The Nook Stop is coming on 3rd April 2025!

Celebrating Young Entrepreneurs: Primary School Enterprise Challenge 2024 Awards Ceremony

By Melissa Holling • July 9, 2024
Last week Ambispace managing director Kevin Wheatley had the great pleasure of joining the judging panel as The Barnsley Metrodome buzzed with excitement as young minds gathered for the Primary School Enterprise Challenge 2024. This annual event provides a platform for primary school students to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and compete against each other to win trophies, and this year a very special prize for the school of the overall winner.

Pentonville Prison Sensory Room: A Transformative Space for Neurodiverse Inmates

By Kevin Wheatley • May 18, 2024
In a ground-breaking initiative, Pentonville Prison has unveiled its new neurodiversity unit, complete with a state-of-the-art sensory room designed and installed by sensory specialists, AmbiSpace Ltd . This innovative rehabilitation room aims to enhance the well-being and self-regulation of inmates with neurodiverse conditions that in prison frequently leads to challenging behaviour and self harm.

Innovative Fibre Optic Star Wars Mat Helps Cody

By Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024
With AmbiSpace’s new fibre optic manufacturing facility in place, we have been working hard over the last few months to create and innovate new fibre optic products to be utilised to help neurodiverse children. This month, AmbiSpace supplied a fantastic Star Wars sensory fibre optic carpet to Cody Hepple’s son, Logan. Logan has several different neurodiverse issues that can cause sensory overload, the main one being hypersensitivity. Fibre optic products have been proven to have a naturally calming effect and provide visual stimulation for people who are neurodiverse and suffer from sensory overload. Cody was thrilled with the new play mat for her son Logan and sent us a lovely comment. “The sensory fibre optic carpet is a brilliant addition that my son loves, it's easy to clean and move around and safe to touch. Logan has a multitude of problems, one being hypersensitivity. When he lays down on the rug it seems to have a calming effect on him, and he can really relax and enjoy the amazing colours while he listens to his favourite music.” Contact us to find out how we can make your favourite themed carpet come alive with the skilful integration of twinkling fibre optics

Sensory For Mainstream Schools - Purpose

By Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024
Having a clear purpose from the outset of what you want a sensory facility to do for you will help narrow down your search and avoid investing in something that doesn’t deliver as intended. Key points to decide upon are:

Sensory For Mainstream Schools - A Quick Guide

By Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024
So, you have been tasked with creating a proactive space within your school to support pupils with SEND and to help manage the mental health, social anxiety and wellbeing of pupils and students returning after lockdown. You know of and may have seen sensory rooms and products being used in specialist schools but your expertise in working with SEND pupils does not really extend into the sensory area. A quick internet search pops up numerous suppliers and a plethora of dazzling products that look amazing, but how can you narrow it down to make sure you get the most out of your budget and provide the best support for your students? Having worked with young people with special needs myself, and as a multi award winning designer of countless sensory rooms and products over the last 12 years I would like to share these focus points to help you in your quest.

Sensory Nook is a Certified Autism Resource

By Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024
Sensory Nook Approved by IBCCES

Sensory Nook Supports the LA Raiders

By Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024
Ford Motor Company Sponsors Sensory Nooks in LA Raiders New Stadium

Immersive Classroom for Inclusive Learning

By Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024
Immersive Learning Through Experience

Sensory Rooms - Essential Tools or White Elephant?

By Kevin Wheatley • January 11, 2024
"Multi-sensory therapy is an activity which usually takes place in a dedicated room where patients experience a range of unpatterned visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile stimuli. These rooms are designed to create a feeling of comfort and safety, where the individual can relax, explore and enjoy the surroundings". (Baker et al, 1997). Sensory rooms first appeared in the Netherlands in 1970 as a safe calming space in which neurologists could observe mental health patients while they explored their surroundings using their senses. From this start the idea of a relaxing space capable of delivering multi and specific sensory stimulus evolved and expanded beyond healthcare and in to special needs education. This evolution over the next 30 years came from a very narrow base and although it spread quickly there was limited innovation of products and design as suppliers largely grew in number by existing companies splitting and replicating what had been done before. Sometimes they did this very well and sometimes not so well. I personally have visited many sensory rooms up and down the country, usually as a result of them reaching the end of their productive life and in need of updating. I have seen very good examples and some that left me with a sense of despair. What I have gained from all the places I have visited is the insight that a well designed sensory room is an extremely valuable resource for the people who use them on a daily basis.