May 1, 2008
By Eric Gaertner
Muskegon Chronicle

MONTAGUE -- Spectrum Illumination, an industrial lighting manufacturer in the city's industrial park, evidently has a future as bright as its products.

The company, which began in 1999 in the basements of the founders' homes, is ready to expand its facility to nearly three times its current size, adding 4,600 square feet to the 2,400-square-foot building at 5114 Industrial Park Drive that has housed the company's operations since 2005. The city's planning commission recently approved the company's expansion plans.

The company expects three or four new full-time jobs to be created with the expansion.

"We're out of room," said Dave Muyskens, owner of Spectrum Illumination. "Business is good. We've been growing. To go to the next level, we're going to have to expand."

Spectrum Illumination makes light emitting diodes, or LEDs, a semiconductor diode that emits light. LEDs are used in electronic appliances and in fiber-optics.

Muyskens said the company has some new products that are ready to be unveiled in three or four months.

The expansion project calls for the current space to be used for offices and a new atrium entrance and training center to be added. The new 4,600-square-foot space will house the company's manufacturing. Some additional parking also is planned.

Muyskens said company officials are reviewing building quotes from contractors and they expect work to be completed before fall.

Spectrum Illumination has its headquarters in Montague and distribution centers in England and Japan.