The company, which makes electric meters, is renewing its lease on a 16,287-square-foot site at Highwoods Forum Office Park in North Raleigh and leasing an additional 10,434-square-foot office in the same park.

"The overall quality of life in North Raleigh and the availability of highly skilled talent ... make it an ideal location for our business and employees," said Mike DeCocco, vice president of human resources.

DeCocco said the company has 50 employees in North Raleigh. It has about 3,300 workers worldwide including Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Germany, Brazil and China.

This region has become a mini-center for companies that develop electricity meters or utility metering technology, drawn by the Triangle's concentration of engineers and other skilled workers. Sensus rivals include Elster and Itron, which both have operations in Raleigh.

Sensus' expansion is expected to be completed by Sept. 1, DeCocco said.

One office will consist of the headquarters with corporate and administrative staff. The second office will be used by the company's Advance Metering Infrastructure management team, marketing group, technical writers and engineers.

Sensus Metering Systems was created in 2003 after it was spun off from Invensys Metering Systems in Raleigh.

The company produces highly automated metering equipment for water, gas, electric and heat utilities, DeCocco said. He said the business has been fueled by strong worldwide demand to replace or upgrade metering equipment.

The company plans to hire the additional 40 employees by March. It is primarily looking for engineers and some marketing employees, DeCocco said.