A RANGE of safety belts, harnesses and vests designed by South Island company Exelite Industries is set to be officially launched into the European market this year at the famous Le Mans 24-hour endurance race in France.

In a coup for the company, race officials will be wearing the safety gear for the duration of the day/night event, demonstrating the unique technology which was derived from emergency lighting in the aircraft industry.

Because Exelite produces its own vibrant light it has the advantage of being seen from long distances. The electro-luminescent light can be seen from a distance of more than 600 metres from any angle, while traditional retro-reflective materials can only be seen from up to 200 metres in ideal conditions and when a direct light source (such as street lights or vehicle headlights) is present.

In other words, Exelite products do not require light reflected on them to function  in fact the light emanated is enough to allow you to see where youre going in pitch darkness. The illumination created by Exelite is radio frequency generated light rather than conventional incandescent light so the generated spectrum beam is visible in its original form through fog, smoke and rain.

The applications for Exelite products are extensive  the belts are designed primarily for recreational users, such as runners, walkers and cyclists. The harness is ideal for night workers such as road crews, truck drivers, railway workers, emergency workers, miners, and oil-rig workers. Interest has been high from a broad spectrum of industries, with users reporting a much higher sense of safety when wearing the Exelite products.