March 2008

Business Stream, the customer-focused company set up to service business customers across Scotland’s retail water sector has expanded its operation with the opening of a new Glasgow operation. The new site at Hillington, which opens on March 1, will accommodate up to 20 full time staff and act as the key customer service base for businesses in the west of Scotland.

The operation will include sales and customer relationship staff as well as specialist consultants who will work closely with businesses in areas such as leak detection, water audits, benchmarking and smart metering. The services are all focused on helping customers to better understand and manage their consumption and costs.

Business Stream’s managing director, Mark Powles said: “The west of Scotland is a key area of our customer base. This new office will give us an important strategic asset in responding to the needs of these customers and delivering a dependable service. We combine experience and knowledge of the water sector with a strong customer focus. Our new Glasgow operation is an exciting step forward in Business Stream’s aim to be the water solutions provider of choice to Scottish businesses.”

Formed as an independently operating company within the Scottish Water group, Business Stream was recently granted its operating licence by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland to compete within the Scottish non-household retail water marketplace, which is being opened up to competition on April 1.

Business Stream plans to roll out a range of new, customer focussed services progressively over the next 12 months including:

• introduction of online payment services to all customers
• discount for customers opting to pay bills via direct debit
• monthly electronic statement billing for multi-site customers
• tailored water and waste management services to fit the needs of individual customers
• online facilities enabling customers to enter meter reads and update contact details
• closer working with commercial property developers to ease the process of new water connections for business customers