Energy firm Direct Savings warms to expansion opportunity

a SCOTTISH company that started life in a garden shed two years ago is to create 40 jobs in
response to increased demand for its energy-efficient products.

Direct Savings, founded by managing director Ged Smith and his wife Eileen, currently employs some 130 people across sites in Livingston, Peterhead, Bradford and Milton Keynes.

The firm, which specialises in loft and cavity wall insulation, has now invested £400,000 in its new Livingston headquarters and is diversifying into areas such as infrared heating, which Smith said is more efficient than conventional warm air systems.

He said: “We are predicting major expansion of our business over the next two years. That success will be channelled back into the business – both to benefit our staff and to continue to research and develop products that will benefit homeowners for years to come.

“Big plans like these require additional space and increased staff support, which is why now is the ideal time to invest in new premises and to recruit up to 40 more staff.”

The company said it had an annual turnover of about £12 million and expects to see a major boost to sales from the infrared systems, the first of which are being installed at properties in Ayrshire.

Smith added: “We expect to grow from initial estimates of installing 40 systems a month to 160 systems within a very short period. Even if we conservatively install 120 systems a month, it will see revenues of up to £10m achieved within 18 months.”

Direct Savings is also developing a blind to retain warmth in winter while keeping heat out in summer, and an insulation system that aims to replicate the efficiency of double glazing without customers having to replace their windows.