Sometimes all you need to find your way is a light at the end of the tunnel, especially if you’re on a night time trail walk through Yellowstone Park, home to a variety of snakes.

“If you come across one of those (snakes) in the dark, it could really spook visitors,” says Eddy Butler, President of EB Engineering Ltd. in Sidney, B.C. “So we designed a low-light, low-voltage system that could help visitors see the path in front of them without ruining the experience of a late-night stroll with a big abrasive light.”

2010 Games experience
Although you can find Eddy’s lights in other places as varied as naval bases to the Lions Gate Bridge, the most visible of projects would have been during the 2010 Winter Games when EB Engineering Ltd. was contracted to light the Olympic rings welcoming visitors to the Vancouver International Airport and Coal Harbour. The project employed an Internet monitoringsystem that updated them on the status of the lights every six seconds.

Starting in 1998, Eddy was confident that he had the right product for the marketplace. EB Engineering Ltd. is now breaking ground in solar and wireless communications for lighting and distributing their Sun Beacon brand of lights worldwide.

“As a small business owner you have to believe that you’re going to be a success from day one.”

Not only is Eddy able to provide employment for his wife and son, but over the year he has provided jobs to others in the community including contracting the majority of work that he outsources locally.

“Providing jobs in small communities is a huge benefit to those families that live there,” says Eddy. “If you’re going to live in the community, then you should be prepared to support it.”

Great access to markets
By operating his small business in British Columbia, Eddy has been able to take advantage of the province’s numerous natural advantages.

“We have great access to the U.S. market and the fast-growing economies in Asia,” says Eddy.

Location alone isn’t the only bonus that B.C. offers.

“There is a real hub of expertise in our area and accessing that expertise enables us to build a better product,” says Eddy. “People want to live here.”

For more information, visit www.sunbeacon.com

This small business profile first appeared in Small Business Profile 2011: A profile of small business in British Columbia. Aussi disponible en français.

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