These are some of the first words Ian Locker, founder and MD at Zephir Ltd. (who operate under the brand ZX Lidars) recalls of his first meeting with the company’s now Director of Science, Dr. Mike Harris.

The motto ‘wind speed at light speed’ remains true today and the company’s pioneering use of Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) in the renewable energy industry is described by leading development companies as having “advanced the wind industry globally”.

As a consequence of their determination and passion for ‘commercialising science’, ZX Lidars has grown from two to almost 60 people and is 90 per cent from within a 10-mile radius of the company’s idyllic Herefordshire-based small converted Victorian barn co-located with a purpose-built production and service centre.

ZX Lidars journey began almost 20 years ago when Locker and Harris and a small team started working at scientific research establishment QinetiQ, identified a significant market opportunity for the newly developed wind Lidar technology that used lasers to measure the wind remotely by offering an alternative to traditional tall meteorological masts equipped with cup anemometers, and used in the development and operation of wind turbines and wind farms.

In 2007, the spin-out company (Zephir Ltd) was formed and the last decade of trailblazing has seen Lidar deployments in over 60 countries worldwide, onshore and offshore and ZX Lidars boasts an impressive set of ‘world firsts’ for their technology. Whilst this team remains modest in size, its achievements have had a global impact in the decarbonisation and security of our energy supply protecting our planet for generations to come.

Business expansion offers tremendous job opportunities and economic benefits for the local area and ZX Lidars’ success presents an opportunity for the Malvern area, as through sustained year-on-year growth the company plans to ‘come home’ to conclude their 2-year search for their new European headquarters.

An ideal location at Willow End Business Park in Malvern has been identified and ZX Lidars seeks to plan and build a sustainable property comprising research, development and skilled assembly facilities. The move will secure existing jobs, lead to new job creation and wider economic benefits for the local community and UK economy. The new premises would combine operations from another site currently operated by the company in Gloucestershire, reducing the company’s carbon footprint due to travel across multiple locations.

“ZX Lidars is a family of dedicated, passionate individuals founded on the belief that we can achieve a positive impact on the world through operating a successful Lidar business” states Locker.

“Our vision is to provide high quality, robust and reliable wind Lidars on every wind farm and integrated into every wind turbine on the planet, providing best in class customer service, whilst continuing to improve, grow and develop our business. To embrace that vision we must secure a viable premises for our continued future and our hope is that we will one day call Willow End ‘home’.

Whilst now a very different technology to the prototypes originally pioneered by QinetiQ and although ZX Lidars has alone invested millions over the last 13 years since leaving QinetiQ to produce a revolutionary new generation of ‘fit for purpose’ Lidar technologies, I feel a certain poetry about the thought of the company returning home to Worcestershire”.

Proposed Development

It is proposed to submit a planning application in the coming months for the development of the site to deliver the new headquarters. The development would comprise: Up to 5,000m2 Class B1 research, development and production facility, using environmentally friendly materials and many renewable features; A landscape led development, with 50 per cent of the site comprising open green space including recreational facilities for employees and with the objective of providing rich areas to increase wildlife diversity; Associated hardstanding, including car parking spaces and cycle storage to accommodate the significant proportion of the company’s cycle-to-work commuters.

The proposed development will relocate the business back to Malvern Hills District (from where it originated) to continue its growth and expansion. This will create new business accommodation to facilitate the ongoing economic success of the business, facilitating the creation of up to 150 high-quality jobs.

ZX Lidars is currently searching for experienced senior electronic engineers to join them.

To find out more about career opportunities, ZX Lidars or the proposed development plans, please visit www.ZXLidars.com.