ENERGY & UTILITIES Profit surge for gas meter firm Smart Metering Systems SHARES in Glasgow-based Smart Metering Systems (SMS) surged nearly 10 per cent yesterday after the gas meter specialist posted a near-doubling of underlying profits (Scotsman) Kongsberg to boost staffing at new base Global marine technology company Kongsberg Maritime announced plans yesterday to expand its workforce when it relocates to larger premises in the north-east (P&J). Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE Santander’s £2.5m backing for ex-rugby star Jim Aitken’s grain business FORMER Scottish rugby captain Jim Aitken has secured £2.5 million in bank funding to expand his grain storage business. Aitken, who led the national team to a Five Nations Grand Slam in 1984, raised the loan from Santander Corporate Banking (Scotsman). Mackie’s looks to grab bite of American crisps market SCOTTISH food group Mackie’s is gearing up to take on the US market with its potato crisps. Mackie’s at Taypack, the joint venture that manufactures the crisps, is preparing to attend the US’s biggest natural food fair, the Expo West show in Los Angeles, next month (Herald) Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com TRANSPORT Stobart delivering hope to property sector HOPES were raised yesterday of a pick-up in Scotland’s flagging commercial property sector as one of the biggest industrial lettings in months was agreed with haulage giant Eddie Stobart (Scotsman). Peoples positive despite dip in profits from record 2010 TRADING at Peoples Motor Group has stabilised after falling back from a record year in 2010, with founder and chairman Brian Gilda saying he is “delighted” with the group’s performance in a difficult and challenging market (Scotsman). Read all today’s transport news from scotsman.com