Companies to combine their expertise to develop innovative, quality
solutions in the field of gas smart metering
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) and Panasonic (NYSE: PC) announced today a
partnership agreement to design and deliver highly innovative gas smart
metering solutions to utilities in Europe.
Given the EU target requiring that at least 80% of homes have a smart
meter fitted by 2020 and the growing public concern for energy use
reduction, the demand for gas smart metering solutions for residential
applications is expected to grow rapidly. In response to this, Itron has
partnered with a worldwide leader in electronic products, Panasonic, to
collaborate on the development of its next generation smart gas meter.
With its next gas meter release, Itron will leverage Panasonic's
ultrasonic sensor technology to enhance its new residential static
meters. It will provide utilities planning for large-scale smart meter
deployments in Europe with a solution that offers a highly accurate and
reliable communicating metering solution.
Additionally, Itron and Panasonic are working together to integrate key
hardware electronics operating on low power radio into Itron's advanced
gas data collection solution.
"This partnership with Panasonic demonstrates our dedication to
expanding our portfolio by offering solutions of the highest quality and
of the greatest reliability," said Jean-Paul Piques, Itron marketing
director, Energy, EMEA. "Strong leadership is built through partnerships
and engagement with the wider market and we are excited about this new
venture with Panasonic to design innovative solutions."
"Working on these projects with Itron has enabled us to leverage our 30
years of expertise in electronic gas metering and high performance radio
frequency technology to serve the metering industry of Europe," said
Masanori Iwai, Panasonic global marketing manager, gas meter devices.
"We are looking forward to continuing this partnership in the future."
About Itron:
Itron is the leading provider of energy and water resource management
solutions for nearly 8,000 utilities around the world. We offer
end-to-end solutions that include electricity, gas, water and heat
measurement and control technology; communications systems; software;
and professional services. With nearly 10,000 employees doing business
in more than 130 countries, Itron empowers utilities to responsibly and
efficiently manage energy and water resources. To realize a sustainable
future, start here: www.itron.com
About Panasonic:
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and
manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer,
business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company
recorded consolidated net sales of 8.69 trillion yen (US$105 billion)
for the year ended March 31, 2011. The company's shares are listed on
the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) stock exchanges.
Panasonic Corporation's Gas Meter Device Production Division started the
manufacture and sale of gas equipment devices from 1983 (PCB, shut-off
valves, seismic sensors, ultrasonic transducers, etc.). In 2009, the
company achieved the production of 100 million gas meter controller
units and boasts a sales performance of 3 million automatic meter
reading (AMR)-related products.
For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the
company's website at http://panasonic.net/
Itron, Inc.
Director, EMEA Communications
Isabelle
Sèvegrand, +33 5 49 62 70 44
isabelle.sevegrand@itron.com
or
Senior
Director, Itron Marketing & Communications
Sharelynn Moore,
509-891-3524
sharelynn.moore@itron.com
or
Vice
President, Investor Relations
Barbara Doyle, +1 509-891-3443
barbara.doyle@itron.com
or
Panasonic
Corporation
Meter component enquiries:
Panasonic
Industrial Europe GmbH
Business Development Manager
Richard
Sedgwick, +49 (0) 89 46 159 329
richard.sedgwick@eu.panasonic.com
or
Other
enquiries:
Panasonic Industrial Europe GmbH
Event Manager
Sandra
Heidemann, +49 (0) 89 46 159 205
sandra.heidemann@eu.panasonic.com
Source: Itron, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
