A growing Tyneside maintenance company has snapped up a Scottish software firm which is develping new technology to aid commercial heating markets.
Commercial Maintenance Services UK Ltd (CMS), based in Gateshead, has acquired Radisoft Ltd, a Glasgow company which is developing a sensor that can predic gas boiler breakdowns.
CMS, which installs, maintains, and repairs business critical systems across the UK, including heating, hot water and electricals, has invested a significant sum into Radisoft Ltd to ensure the sensor receives the necessary funding to take it to market.
The sensor, which is said to be highly effective and simple to use, has the potential to generate millions of pounds in worldwide sales.
Scott Davidson, director of Glasgow-based Radisoft, said the firm’s technology can detect changes in chemical compounds, meaning gas engineers can predict the failure of individual components, the boiler’s efficiency level and its lifespan.
He is carrying out further work to see how the sensor can be adapted and customised for other uses.
A qualified gas engineer, Mr Davidson has spent the last five years developing the sensor after being inspired by constant call outs to fix faulty boilers, often in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable who rely on heating.
He said: “I just had a light bulb moment and thought there must be a simple way of detecting when a boiler is becoming inefficient or a part is about to fail. I undertook some research and realised there wasn’t anything else like it on the market.”
He developed the technology with the help of a £5,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise and was also supported by the engineering department of Glasgow University. Last year he also spent £10,000 patenting the product.
Realising he had insufficient funding to take the sensor to the next stage and create a viable product, Mr Davidson approached CMS, which saw the value of the technology and offered to buy a controlling stake in Radisoft. It is now hoped the sensor will be launched next year.
CMS managing director Nic Smith said: “This is a ground-breaking invention which is truly visionary, given that it is able to easily identify failing parts within a closed system – saving time, money and, more importantly, ensuring unexpected boiler breakdowns are a thing of the past.
“This has immense potential for the global domestic and commercial heating industry and everyone at CMS is hugely excited to play a part in bringing this cutting-edge product to market.”
Source: BusinessLive