THE importance of small and medium enterprises (SME) has been highlighted to an MSP during a visit to a county business.

Sunamp was founded nearly 20 years ago and has gone on to become a world leader in thermal energy storage.

Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, visited the business in Macmerry and was given the opportunity to learn more about its products and what can be done to support businesses in the area.

The former East Lothian councillor was shown round the facility by key team members, including Andrew Bissell, CEO and co-founder, and Susan Lang Bissell, COO.

Discussions highlighted the importance of East Lothian Council and other stakeholders supporting SMEs such as Sunamp by allocating land and delivering commercial units.

Mr Hoy said: “If growing businesses relocate elsewhere due to local constraints, this will prove damaging to the local economy.

“The former Cockenzie Power Station site is of strategic importance, and the council, which acquired the site, must do all it can to boost the local economy by developing it as an industrial hub.

“It was great to meet with the team at Sunamp to find out more about their impressive expansion plans.

“I also congratulate Sunamp on winning various awards, including the King’s Award for Enterprise and the Scottish Environment Business Award.”

Sunamp designs and manufactures space-saving thermal energy storage that makes buildings and vehicles more energy-efficient and sustainable, while reducing carbon emissions.