Energy-saving gadget clocks up one million sales

A firm has clocked up more than one million sales of an award-winning gadget which helps computer users save electricity.

Bright Ideas Global, of Melton, which launched the Ecobutton two years ago, said it would deliver hundreds of thousands of units in 2009 after winning a deal with a UK energy company.

The firm said the unnamed company would begin giving the device away to customers as a promotional gift later this year and said it would be worth a "seven-figure" sum.

Director Jeff Gunn said he was expecting the firm's turnover to soar to "several million" in 2009. Turnover reached £640,000 in 2008.

The Ecobutton has been sold in the thousands to blue chip firms including BT, Orange, Shell, Microsoft, HP, Fujitsu and Intel.

It is made in the Far East but uses software designed for Bright Ideas Global.

When it is connected to a PC, users can put their computers into energy-saving mode at the push of a button if they are leaving their desk.

It has picked up a string of awards, including one from the annual National Energy Efficiency Awards, backed by EDF Energy.

The firm is exporting to Europe and the United States, and has offices in Austria, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

It is hoping to open an office in the US, where Mr Gunn recently appeared with the Ecobutton on shopping channel QVC.

Much of its sales have been through promotional companies, which supply businesses with branded items such as pens and mouse pads.

Mr Gunn said: "There are a lot of things going on. We're now starting to move the product on the next stage. It's exciting.

"We're about to finish developing a new product aimed at large-scale businesses. It will provide businesses using the Ecobutton with software which they can use to measure energy use."

The company, which employs nine people in Melton, was started three years ago by Mr Gunn and business partner Neil Hames.

Mr Hames said: "It's amazing how much electricity is wasted by people leaving their computers on but this makes it a lot simpler for them to put it into a more eco-friendly mode."

Mr Gunn, who was diagnosed with epilepsy while establishing the business, was recently named among the country's top 100 entrepreneurs in the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Awards. Ten finalists will be recognised in October with awards in three categories.

John Davis, from Barclays, one of the judges, said: "The calibre of this year's entries is outstanding and we hope that with this recognition, Bright Ideas Global will continue on the road to success.

"We hope Jeff's story will inspire other budding entrepreneurs, who face similar difficulties in their private lives, to turn their business dreams into reality."