AN AWARD-WINNING company has seen its new headquarters opened by the minister for economy, science and transport.

Welsh Government minister Edwina Hart officially opened the new headquarters of Mid Wales tracking company Plant-i Ltd.

The company builds vehicle, asset and fleet tracking solutions and has more than doubled the size of its premises by moving across Dyfi Eco Park in Machynlleth into the 5,300 square foot Unit 3 with support from the Welsh Government.

Employing a workforce of 20, Plant-i Ltd says the expansion will create 12 new jobs in software development, sales and support roles over the next year. Having tripled its turnover in the last two years two it is also set to make a major announcement early in 2016 about a business development which Plant-i Ltd says will create exciting new opportunities.

Mrs Hart was directly involved in the company’s move, as she met managing director Sam Browne and other Fast Growth 50 company bosses at a meeting organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group in Newtown earlier this year.

She said: "Plant-i Ltd is a highly successful indigenous business with a track record of achieving and exceeding its job creation objectives.

“It identified a significant opportunity to grow the business and I am pleased that support from the Welsh Government in helping it to expand into larger premises has enabled this to happen.”

The technology developed by Plant-i will provide real time video footage and 3D animation of a crash scene to assist the insurance assessor and fleet managers.

It is also now targeting new markets, having been asked to monitor temperature variances during the transportation of vaccine in Africa and the collection of data from hydrogen cell-fuelled cars.

Mr Browne said: “The building’s extra facilities allow Plant-i to offer remote data and innovative solutions into new markets and expand our customer base.

“2016 looks like being another very exciting year for the company as we continue to provide highly skilled jobs here in Machynlleth.”

Winner of the Best Use of Digital Technology Award in this year’s Powys Business Awards – their fourth success in the awards in five years – Plant-i Ltd expects to break through the £3 million barrier by the end of the current financial year.