A second-generation manufacturing company in west Suffolk is preparing for a new era of growth.

Redbourn Engineering, which is based in Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall, has previously focused on producing metal components for other companies’ products.

For the past 14 years or so this has largely involved making parts for electricity meters from major manufacturers such as American group Itron and Swiss-based Landis + Gyr, part of the Japanese conglomerate Toshiba.

But now Redbourn is aming to take advantage of the world-wide adoption of “smart meters”, for which it has developed its own patented design of load switch device.

The company was originally launched by John and Sadie Chester – whose son, also John, is now chief executive – in the village of Redbourn near St Albans in Hertfordshire from which it takes its name.

It was one of many businesses which, under government-led policy, relocated from the London area to East Anglian towns earmarked for growth in the 1960s and 70s - a fact reflected in the name of Chiswick Avenue and many other roads in the surrounding area.

Redbourn, which was one of the first businesses on the industrial estate, originally specialised in switchgear for the automotive sector but, since Mr Chester took over the helm from his father, the emphasis has been on metering.

Its customers have included Schlumberger, later acquired by Itron, which had a major meter manufacturing plant in Felixstowe. The manufacturing side has long-since relocated away from the town although Itron retains a research and development presence in Felixstowe.

The new generation of smart meters include a facility for electricity supplies to be switched on and off remotely.

While similar technology has always featured in pre-payment meters, there are many more applications – notably for safety reasons, such as in the event of natural disasters or where homes are unoccupied for long periods.

Mr Chester says that many switching devices in the market place still use very old technology, essentially dating from the 1970s.

With huge potential world-wide demand for smart meters, Rebourn set up designing and innovative device of its own which would be not only high-performing but also cost-effective, with fewer component parts – so offering advantages both in terms of cost and reliability.

Chris Stanton, technology director, was brought in to head the design of the new product, the aim being to development a completely new switch which could be patented, so enabling Redbourn to offer a complete switch to meter manufacturers rather than just metal coponents.

This it has now achieved, with a UK patent having been secured and other applications in progress. The design features an electronic coil, which is sourced from China, and plastic casing which comes from Europe, with Redbourn continuing to apply its core expertise to producing the metal parts.

With volumes expected to run into hudreds of millions, Redbourn plans to use contract manufacturing rather than seek to invest in a high-volume assembly line in-house. This will also allow the switches to be produced at multiple locations, close to major markets.

However, Mr Chester says he nevertheless expects the workforce at Redbourn – which currently totals around 35 – to increase significantly over the coming years.

Work on metal components for older-style products will continue in the short-term, but with the likelihood of this being phased out as the smart meter switch business grows.

The next step for Redbourn will be the European Utility Week event in Vienna, from November 3 to 5, where it will be among the exhibitors.