The importance of the new Dunfermline research and development base of EDMI, one of the world’s leading smart meter providers, has been confirmed by a VIP gathering at its official opening next month.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael will attend the event with key EDMI executives from Singapore and the UK at the premises in Pitreavie Business Park.
EDMI which produces premium metering products, advanced infrastructure and energy management systems, had a turnover of £85 million last year.
Owned by the Osaki Electric Co Ltd, it has been operating in the UK since 2004 and in the past three years has significantly expanded its operations to include Dunfermline, Newcastle and Reading.
The expansion was prompted by the UK Government’s decision to roll-out 53 million smart electricity and gas meters in homes and small businesses by the end of 2020.
By that year all Scottish residential customers will have an EDMI product in their homes.
The Dunfermline facility is the global R&D centre for EDMI’s smart gas solutions, focusing on a range of ultrasonic meters using state of the art technologies.
Commercial manager for gas, Richard Sedgwick, said: “We believe our range to be the smallest and smartest designed in the UK.
“Since 2012 we have played a significant role in ensuring that the smart meter roll-out is a success for all parties.
“This has included engagement with industry working groups, standards bodies and the Department of Energy & Climate Change.
“This has led to rapid expansion for our business, and our success was cemented in 2013 when we were awarded the contract to supply 10 million communications hubs to Arqiva for Scotland and the north of England.
“The contracts to supply the big six utilities with smart gas and electricity meters are currently out to tender, and we are hopeful that we will be successful with a number of them.
“We see our expansion continuing over the coming years, supporting British, European and global markets,” he added.
The Dunfermline EDMI base now has a workforce of 12.
It works closely with a number of Scottish companies who provide supporting engineering services.
Expenditure with these companies including Abelon Systems, Heriot-Watt University, Shore Design, Stream Communications and RSD Communications has exceeded £1.5m.