Group turns enforced change to its advantage

Dec 3 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A MOVE to new premises could herald a period of change and rapid growth at a meter reading company.

AccuRead, which reads meters nationally for utility companies including Scottish Power, E.on, British Gas and edf Energy, has moved to new offices at Cobalt Business Park from Killingworth, both North Tyneside.

This will help it put its growth plans into action, with the aim of increasing staff from 330 to 500 over two years and raising turnover from £70m to £90m. It plans to create jobs by moving in a new direction as its traditional business is fundamentally changed by the advent of smart metering. AccuRead recently launched a debt collection agency and is training its 900 meter readers in these skills.

Director of support services Joan Walmsley said: “Although we are some years off the change to smart metering, we decided we must start adapting now so that we can continue to develop our company.

“There are many similarities between meter reading and debt collection, not least the experience of dealing with the public.”

Newcastle United legend Peter Beardsley performed the opening ceremony.