VAILO founder and CEO Aaron Hickmann, along with his immediate and some extended family, has relocated to Brisbane, as local organisations prepare for the Olympic Games.

VAILO is an Australian advanced technology company specialising in manufacturing ultra-high-performance LED sports lighting and LED digital displays tailored to sporting venues and major outdoor events.

Hickmann said being on the ground in Queensland was important in helping VAILO build its network as government get underway in upgrading and building venues and stadiums to broadcast-ready standards.

“Our talks with the state and regional governments have been positive,” Hickmann said.

“We have the ability to offer venues a world-class and truly customised solution using our ultra-high-performance Australian-made luminaires and high-quality digital displays – and to work with local companies, such as electrical installers, to ensure everyone benefits from the Olympic opportunities.”

While the 2032 games are a key focus for Hickmann, VAILO will also be looking to export into international markets, initially USA.

VAILO business development executive (QLD) Dan Newman

The company has made its first appointment in Queensland, hiring Dan Newman as business development executive (QLD).

Newman has extensive experience in territory management and business development, including at Coca Cola Amatil for 10 years and in industrial sales, dealing closely with councils and construction companies.

Along with Hickmann, he will focus on building strong relationships for the company in Queensland, providing a launch pad for what VAILO hopes will be a strong ongoing market for its product.

VAILO was founded in 2012 and has rapidly grown in the past two years from 12 to over 25 employees.

It is Australia’s only producer of advanced sports lighting and in 2022 took out a prestigious Australian Good Design Award for its flagship product, Zenith Gen-V.

The stadium light was designed with Australian conditions in mind with internal wiring making it ‘cockatoo proof’, offers ultra-high efficiency with over 130 lumen per watt to place more light on the ground, and weighs just 24 kilograms, the lightest in its class.

Hickmann said VAILO is “future-focused” and constantly researching and developing products that will improve sustainability, reduce carbon footprints and “provide significant benefits to wide-ranging communities”.

It has developed strong partnerships with sporting and other organisations – including The Committee for Brisbane, GWS GIANTS and Hawthorn Football Club amongst others – and is the naming rights sponsor of the VAILO Adelaide 500.

The scale-up was named as one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading places to work in the 2023 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list.

VAILO is currently hiring for business development and lighting designer roles in Queensland and across Australia. To apply visit vailo.com/careers

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