Firm finds bright future in beam of light

A tight focus on High Intensity Discharge bulbs and flares led to Reva International Ltd.'s current spot expansion of business and staff.

It's a good spot to be, says Tillman Frick, chief operating officer of the firm, a privately held company based in Reno and specializing in creating exclusive technology for government clients.

The company, founded in 2000 by Tillman Frick and his brother,Markus, finds most of its customers in the U.S.Armed Forces, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and homeland defense.

But there are a few others, says Frick, in industry, and even a yacht owner or two who have sought out the company's products.

The products chiefly HID bulbs and other high intensity illumination products are highly specialized.

It's light bulbs with cutting edge technology.Most have safety, law, or military uses.

There's the battery-operated flare, a high-tolerance light that replaces roadside strike flares.

There's the infrared version of a flare for use in covert military operations.

But the most popular product is the RI-2200, a searchlight that illuminates objects 3/4 of a mile away and is used by the armed forces and law enforcement services.

The company applied to the Nevada Commission on Economic Development for tax abatement, citing its imminent expansion as its qualification for the incentives.

Based on its expansion plans, Reva International was awarded a 10-year, 50 percent property tax abatement, as well as sales and use tax abatements and deferrals.

Expansions have already begun.

Specialized equipment is on order, some of which will allow the company to laser-engrave products,making it easier to identify them as well as track them.Other equipment will aid in metal machining and filter coatings.

A dozen new hires are in the offing, too, some of them skilled machinists, programmers, and skilled assembly workers.And next up for the fast-moving company: expanded research and development, says Frick."We have big plans," he says.

The company is expecting continued growth this year, and more next.

Possibly, even with a new building to house its growing success.

"We came here for the good business climate," says Frick, the good weather, and the skiing.And, despite the winter's 90-year storm, it's all been good.