Precision plastic injection moulding firm, Icon Plastics has won a £500,000 contract to develop and manufacture the casings for an energy meter against stiff national competition.
The Eaglescliffe-based business was commissioned by NetThings to develop the tooling requirements for an enclosure for the meter, which is aimed at the new house-build and commercial property markets.
NetThings’ vice president of operations, Stuart Johnstone commented: “We visited several companies around the country and Icon stood out head and shoulders in terms of engagement, the thought-process and enthusiasm for the product.
“It then came down to a commercial decision and Icon was very competitive.”
Edinburgh-based NetThings is a team of software developers, engineers, and technologists dedicated to developing web-connected devices that monitor power consumption to show where savings can be made.
Developed and being manufactured by Icon, the plastic casing for the energy monitoring system is suitable for all utility types, including heat and water.
Having advised NetThings on what the possibilities were and the best materials to employ, Johnstone continued: “The work that Icon did was fantastic from the very early stages and all that needed to be fine-tuned was the surface finishes.
“It had the right feel all the way through the process and Icon helped every step of the way.”
Icon’s managing director Gareth Thomas – who manages the firm with operations director, Phil Walker, added: “This is a prime example of the collaborative way that Icon works with clients to ensure that our customers’ needs are met in an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner.”
There are plans to extend the target market of the meter, which is worth two code credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes, to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Icon Plastics – which has invested £1m since it moved to new premises at Durham Lane Industrial Park in 2014 – serves customers in a range of sectors, including electronics; agricultural; healthcare and medical; construction; defence, and automotive.
