On 29th January we lost a much-loved and respected figure in our industry, Tony Kay, the Executive Chairman of DANLERS Limited. He was 86.
Tony gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics from Manchester University in 1956.
In his early career, Tony joined the aircraft industry, working in engineering research with Avro. He then moved on to various roles in production management and quality assurance management, including positions with the telecoms company STC.
In 1971 Tony founded Home Automation Limited - designing and manufacturing dimmer switches and other lighting controls. Known for his innovation, Tony won many awards for his products, and his remote-control dimmers were featured on the BBC programme “Tomorrows World”.
In 1991 Tony founded a new electronics design and manufacturing company, DANLERS Limited – mainly specialising in energy saving lighting controls. In 2010, DANLERS proudly won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation, for the ongoing development and commercial success of the company’s product range.
Over the years, Tony was extensively involved with the British Standards Institute (BSI), the British Electro-technical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA) and the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) – working on issues around mains signalling, electronic switches, single phase products, energy saving lighting controls and more.
Tony was also keenly involved in local politics, town twinning activities and the Catenian Association network of Catholic men.
He will be sorely missed and remembered by all those who knew him, for the energy and commitment he put into everything he did, and for his unwaning enthusiasm for telling jokes!
Tony passed away peacefully on 29th January 2022, with family at his side, at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.
He leaves behind his second wife Jean, three sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.
May he rest in peace.