Burn Brite, a member of the Waters family group of companies, is a specialist designer and manufacturer of portable and fixed industrial, hazardous area and mine lighting and has over 50 years experience in research and development of lighting products for industrial applications.

The company is a leading manufacturer of longwall lighting systems in Australia and has systems operating in China. Hazardous area and portable lighting products are also exported to a number of countries including Asia, New Zealand, the United States and the Middle East.

The company operates from a large manufacturing facility in Kilsyth, Victoria and employs 56 workers.

Under the Ampcontrol Group of Companies, Burn Brite manager and company founder Bruce Waters will continue in the same capacity and Ivan Waters will be retained as a consultant.

The existing design and manufacturing team will also remain.

Ampcontrol CEO Dr Alan Broadfoot said the purchase was an important milestone and excellent strategic fit for Ampcontrol.

"The acquisition of Burn Brite Lights is part of Ampcontrol's strategy to grow and diversify our business, domestically and globally, in hazardous area equipment and to increase our total package supply capability to the international longwall mining and oil and gas market," Broadfoot said.

"As one of the world's leading and most technologically advanced electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers and service providers in the international coal mining market, we believe that the investment in Burn Brite will also add support and strength to Ampcontrol's existing and highly regarded design, manufacture and research capabilities.

"This is an exciting investment for Ampcontrol and it is great to see a local business which was founded and is still based in the Hunter exploring new opportunities."

Founded in 1968, Ampcontrol now has its headquarters in Tomago. In recent years the company has experienced dramatic growth to become an internationally recognised organisation, now employing more than 750 skilled people at 20 sites around Australia as well as China, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.