Jobs boost as CircoSense rolls out smart energy unit

A renewable technology start-up is aiming to take on up to 50 staff after unveiling a system that slashes hot water consumption and fuel bills.

MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, left, talks to CircoSense managing director Gerry Kennedy at the launch event. Picture: Contributed

CircoSense, which is based in Clydebank, believes that its device is the first of its type to be offered in the UK and promises to be the first in a range of smart energy products developed by the new venture.

The patented technology is said to drastically reduce hot water consumption in hospitals, schools and other commercial buildings, while also cutting carbon emissions and fuel bills. It has already been successfully trialled in Renfrewshire Council buildings.

At a launch event for the showpiece system, managing director Gerry Kennedy outlined ambitious plans for company growth and revealed that the nascent business plans to take on up to 50 staff within the next 12 months.

The start-up is an offshoot of Campbell & Kennedy (C&K), a long-established company that is best-known for being an official installer of Sky satellite dishes in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as carrying out large-scale electrical contracts for the likes of local councils and housebuilders.

C&K has repositioned itself in the renewables sector and has grown to become one of Scotland’s biggest installers of rooftop solar systems for schools, hospitals and council premises.

Provisional figures indicate that turnover in the year to March totalled £15.7 million, compared with £10.7m the previous year, while net profit before tax amounted to some £820,000, up from £279,000.

Among the crowd of more than 50 in attendance at the firm’s HQ for the launch of the CircoSense3000 device were politicians and senior council officials, along with business and industry figures.

The company’s new office is located just a short distance from two icons of Scotland’s 20th century industry – the former John Brown shipyard and Singer sewing machine factory.

Speaking at the event, West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said he was eager to support a technology business that “innovates to solve real 21st century problems”.

He added: “The Scottish Government’s energy and carbon reduction targets are a critical part of this nation’s responsible approach to tackling climate change.

“I’m proud to have businesses like CircoSense based in my constituency and delighted to see them partner with such an established firm as Campbell & Kennedy.

“They are part of the global entrepreneurial response to climate change and their continued investment in West Dunbartonshire shows that our communities are open for business, especially for industries of the future.”

Kennedy said that after building the new venture’s headcount up to about 50 within the next year, there were plans for “serious growth” in the longer term. The new product was part-funded by Scottish Enterprise.