CU Phosco expands lighting column portfolio with Nedal aluminium range and acquisition of ALC ECHALON patents

  Posted by: electime      1st September 2026

A new partnership with Nedal Aluminium will see CU Phosco carry forward more than 30 years of ALC expertise, while giving specifiers greater choice across steel and aluminium lighting columns.

CU Phosco is expanding the breadth and depth of its lighting column portfolio through a new partnership with Nedal Aluminium B.V. and the acquisition of The Aluminium Lighting Company’s (ALC) patented technology, including the Echalon® raise-and-lower column system.

From 1 September 2026, CU Phosco will become Nedal’s distribution partner for the UK and Ireland, ensuring continuity for existing customers while bringing aluminium alongside its established steel lighting column range.

The move follows the planned conclusion of operations at ALC, a family-run business that has represented Nedal in the UK and Ireland for more than 30 years.

During that time, ALC helped establish aluminium lighting columns across the UK market, developing specialist solutions and building a strong reputation for engineering knowledge, technical support and customer service.

For CU Phosco, preserving that legacy has been an important part of the transition. As another long-established family business with deep roots in lighting column design and manufacture, CU Phosco will carry forward ALC’s patented technology and specialist product knowledge while providing the scale, engineering resource and nationwide support to develop the range further.

More choice for specifiers

The addition of aluminium is a strategic extension of CU Phosco’s existing column capability rather than a move away from steel.

By offering both materials, CU Phosco can give consultants, specifiers, local authorities, contractors and infrastructure owners greater freedom to select a column according to the requirements of the individual project.

Steel will continue to provide the right solution for many applications. In others, aluminium can offer important advantages including lower weight, corrosion resistance, reduced maintenance requirements, passive safety and long whole-life performance and some environmental benefits.

This breadth means material selection can be driven by the application, environment and performance requirements.

Sustainability and whole-life performance

Sustainability is another important part of the expanded offer.

Nedal aluminium columns are manufactured using re-melt aluminium and are fully recyclable. Their lightweight construction can simplify transportation, handling and installation, while aluminium’s natural corrosion resistance helps reduce ongoing maintenance requirements.

Nedal has also invested extensively in reducing the environmental impact of its manufacturing operations, including the use of recycled aluminium and green electricity, alongside external sustainability and responsible sourcing programmes.

Combined with a long service life and low maintenance requirements, these characteristics make aluminium an important additional option for projects where whole-life environmental performance is a key consideration.

Passive safety designed into the column

The Nedal range also strengthens CU Phosco’s ability to support projects where passive safety is a priority.

Passively safe columns are designed to manage the forces generated when struck by a vehicle, helping reduce the severity of the impact on vehicle occupants.

Nedal offers Low-Energy (LE), No-Energy (NE) and High-Energy (HE) passive-safe solutions, giving designers greater flexibility when selecting columns for different road environments and risk profiles.

This capability is particularly relevant for highways and road-lighting applications, where the requirements of the location need to be balanced with structural performance and the safety of road users.

Protecting the column where it matters most

The range also incorporates Advanced Root Protection technology, designed to protect the section of the column most exposed to aggressive ground-level conditions.

For asset owners, this adds another important dimension to the whole-life case for aluminium. By considering protection at and below ground level alongside the inherent corrosion resistance of aluminium, the system is designed around long-term asset performance rather than simply initial installation.

Continuing the development of patented technology

As part of the transition, CU Phosco has acquired ALC’s patents, securing the future of technology developed by the business and creating a platform for its continued development.

Central to this is Echalon® patented raise-and-lower aluminium column system.

Designed for locations where access is restricted, Echalon® incorporates an integrated hinge mechanism that allows the column to be lowered for installation and maintenance. Its design can reduce reliance on external lifting equipment and make access to luminaires and equipment quicker and simpler.

Available in conical and stepped configurations and in heights up to 12m, the system is particularly suited to railway platforms, pedestrianised town centres, car parks, and other locations where conventional maintenance access can be difficult or disruptive.

The lightweight aluminium construction, one-person safe operation and passive-safe options further extend its application across rail, highways and public infrastructure.

By acquiring the patents, CU Phosco will protect the engineering legacy behind Echalon® while supporting its future development and application.

Building on more than 30 years

The new arrangement has been carefully planned between ALC, Nedal and CU Phosco to ensure continuity for customers and current projects.

Existing ALC customers will continue to have access to Nedal aluminium lighting columns and Echalon®, alongside technical advice, project support and after-sales service.

For CU Phosco, however, the partnership represents more than continuity.

It brings together its established expertise in steel lighting columns with Nedal’s specialist aluminium capability and ALC’s patented technology, creating a broader portfolio designed to give specifiers genuine choice across materials, applications and performance requirements.

At the same time, it ensures the expertise and innovation developed by a respected family-run British business over more than three decades is not lost, but carried forward into its next chapter.