Companies news Smart charging with SWARCO SWARCO Smart Charging has installed two electric vehicle chargepoints at Machynlleth in Powys after success at its first site in Bala. The installation comes as Transport for Wales continues its rollout of a new rapid charging network that will eventually provide EV charging at every 25-mile stretch of the countrys strategic road network. By the end of the year, SWARCO expects to have installed at least 35 50kW rapid chargepoints at 18 sites across Carmarthenshire, Powys, Denbighshire and Gwynedd. The majority of the chargepoints are being installed within local authorityowned car parks. Since the first site at Bala went live last November, there have been more than 1,400 charging sessions. By June, the site was being used more than seven times a day. Anne Buckingham, sales director of SWARCO Smart Charging, said: It is commonly accepted that the future uptake of EVs is dependent on having an appropriate charging infrastructure in place. That means installing chargepoints now, even when demand is not especially high. It is very encouraging to see data demonstrating how often the Bala site is being used, and we hope to see the same for Machynlleth. It is a complicated project involving multiple authorities, multiple lease agreements, and considerable investment to get the necessary power to the individual sites, but ultimately this network will be a catalyst for change. RCPs new director Sarah Naghshineh is now the director at RCP Parking, following four years as assistant director. She said: Im really looking forward to my new role as director. So many exciting things in the pipeline. Watch this space. Unity5 welcomes investment from Synova Software provider Unity5 is taking its ambitious growth plans to the next level with an investment from investor Synova. Synova works across a handful of core technology sectors and focuses on using its expertise to help its partners to hit their ambitious targets by enhancing their capabilities. Synova has no prior investments in the parking sector, allowing Unity5 to retain its independent position. Synova is investing alongside Unity5s co-founders Dave Herbert and Lukasz Clockwise from top left: Dave Herbert, Lukasz Kieruczenko, who will continue to hold Kieruczenko, Celina Herbert and Dan Jefferson a material stake in the company. Unity5 delivers software as a service (SaaS) through its ZatPark, ZatPermit and ZatEnviro solutions, which provide a complete turnkey solution for both public bodies and private companies that need to effectively monitor and manage parking, traffic and mobility services, as well as environmental regulations. The demand for an efficient software proposition has increased significantly in recent years because of the growing automation and digitisation of the sector, and an enhanced regulatory regime for operators. Unity5 offers an advanced SaaS solution to this market, and has experienced rapid growth during the past three years. In addition to focusing on organic growth, Synovas investment in Unity5 will provide capital for targeted technology mergers and acquisitions to expand the companys product set and reach, as well as support international expansion. Day-to-day management of Unity5 will continue with the same director team: Dave Herbert, Lukasz Kieruczenko, Celina Herbert and Dan Jefferson. Dave Herbert said: Synovas support will allow us to invest more into our technology platform, while at the same time providing invaluable assistance in developing new features, as well as larger customer support and development teams to build on the fantastic progress that we have made since Lukasz and I founded the company more than 12 years ago. Flowbirds new delivery Flowbird Smart City UK, working in partnership with Innium Logistics Solutions, has completed a rollout of InPost and Amazon parcel lockers for Wokingham Borough Council. Seven lockers have been installed across the town to help reduce the amount of carbon emissions made from last-mile deliveries. Danny Hassett, Flowbirds managing director, said: As UK e-commerce is set to account for 32 per cent of all retail purchases by 2024, delivery lockers are essential in reducing trac congestion and CO2 emissions. Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways at Wokingham Borough Council, added: The locker locations have been chosen to make them accessible for people while out and about, or within walking and cycling distance, meaning they dont need to use a car to collect their packages. 10 PN Oct 2022 pp10-11 Companies News.indd 10 23/09/2022 12:01