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There are numerous actions a business can take to reduce energy costs and lower carbon emissions. Energy management Services plays a key role but it’s also important not to overlook the other end of the process – the steps you take before that precious energy even reaches you; that is, the deal you sign up to and the way you manage energy purchasing.

To do this thoroughly and professionally requires a fully integrated energy strategy that includes the energy purchasing cycle.

Unfortunately, this is often overlooked – sometimes because such measures as incorporating energy management products are more tangible, but often because buying energy cost-effectively is complicated.

There are numerous variables, enormous volatility in prices and an endless array of contract options. But while this may be daunting, getting it right can deliver major savings and significant competitive advantages.

The three aspects of buying gas and electricity that make them different from most other products or services you purchase are the timing of the purchase, your company’s appetite for risk and the skills and knowledge needed to get it right.

Timing
Timing is crucial because market prices fluctuate quickly and massively. Some changes are foreseeable, such as seasonal demand, while others, such as unrest in the Middle East, can sometimes be totally unforeseen and could send energy prices soaring in hours.

Consequently, you must clearly understand markets and the forces driving them and constantly monitor them to both take advantage of opportunities as they arise and avoid being caught flat-footed.

Risk
Different businesses have different appetites for risk and this has a profound influence on energy purchasing. Most contracts are either “fixed term” or “flexible”, the latter giving a degree of control over prices and potentially make savings – but at greater risk.

To find a contract with the right level of risk for your business you need to know the options available.

Skills and knowledge
Finally, if you are responsible for energy procurement you must be familiar with the myriad of different opportunities provided by energy suppliers and negotiate with them to get the best deals.

In all these things, familiarity, experience and industry knowledge are crucial. Energy purchasing has become an increasingly specialist full-time role and an industry of experts has grown up to operate between energy suppliers and business users. Companies like UES Energy constantly monitor market fluctuations and the full spectrum of suppliers’ contracts to help clients find the best options.

Premium airline seating manufacturer Contour Aerospace (now part of Zodiac Aerospace Group), were one company who saw the value in working with energy professionals and following great results from RUMM Energy Management Software on their energy management, turned to UES Energy for advice for their energy purchasing.

Finance Director Alison Baker said: “(UES Energy) approach to energy procurement focuses on avoiding unnecessary cost and their advice on the timing of contract placement is backed up with detailed market intelligence. Their quality of service is reassuring and a stark difference to our previous energy broker.”

The RPC Group is Europe’s leading manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging. With just under 50 autonomous sites in 12 countries, the company employs in excess of 6,500 people.

RUMM was asked to investigate energy usage at RPC’s Llantrisant plant and provide solutions and suggestions for reducing the annual energy bill.

Following the completion of the aM&T system, where 17 meters were installed across the site, a benchmarking exercise then took place in order to ascertain where energy was being used and equally where it was being used non-efficiently. (energy management UK)

RUMM and RPC then engaged in an energy management partnership to achieve savings. This included regular weekly meetings to discuss options that could save the company money.

Site analysis was carried out based on production output, SEC and this was benchmarked to reduce consumption.

As a result of the measures put in place, energy consumption in the first 5 months dropped from 1354528 kWh to 1131995 kWh, with specific energy consumption reducing by 14%. This equated to a £120k saving in the first year alone.

Is your company aware of energy management? Do you need to monitor energy use and identify the areas where energy can be saved in your organisation? Do you need to keep the rising energy costs down by reducing consumption and not sure where to begin?

RUMM are leading experts in energy management providing solutions throughout the UK and Wales offering a full energy management Solution to create bespoke energy management packages which will guarantee a reduction in your business energy usage and costs.

EXCITING CHANGES TO THE RUMM ORGANISATION

We are extremely pleased to announce the promotion of Dr Russell Payne to the newly created position of Operations Director with responsibility for all functions within RUMM with the exception of Sales.

Russell joined RUMM in 2006 as an Energy Account Manager and progressed quickly to become team leader and more recently Operations manager. He has been instrumental in developing the management reporting systems and customer care programs which are fundamental to a growing business such as RUMM.

In addition Dr Stephen Lloyd one of the co-founders and board member of RUMM has taken up the full time position of Key Accounts Director where his career in industrial energy management and latterly research activity will be fully utilised to further develop the RUMM methodology and services for our valued clients.

Russell and Steve along with Jamie Watkins will report directly to me as we anticipate additional business growth over the coming years.

RUMM continues to provide bespoke Energy Management Solutions across the UK and Europe.

Eric J Lewis OBE
Chairman

Click here to find out about more about RUMM’S Energy management UK and Energy management Wales solutions

Looking for more company suggestions? We find them for you!

Recently RUMM have welcomed several new members to their Energy Monitoring & Management team.  They welcome Jamie Wertheim, Luke Williams, David Powlesland and James Carberry.  These new members will work closely with clients to ensure their energy management and energy legislations are being addressed, achieving carbon reduction and using carbon trading. Jamie will more specifically work with the energy management software for customer support and data management.

For more information, visit their website:  http://www.rumm.co.uk/

Do you want to cut costs & help the environment by reducing your energy consumption?

If the answer is yes then you need a company who manages your utility bills and your carbon footprint by using energy management software.  Find one that have a team of dedicated energy account managers and data analysts to work with you in partnership to achieve maximum savings. 

Ask yourself these questions: 

• Do you have a utility bill of over £200,000?
• Are you getting a CCL rebate?
• Have you experienced a large rise in your energy bills?
• Are you interested in improving your bottom line for little capital outlay?
• Is Corporate Social Responsibility high on your agenda?
• Are you interested in carbon trading?
• Are you concerned about impending legislation regarding the CRC?
• Would you be interested in an ROI strategy of less than 6 months?
• Is capital expenditure a problem for you? 

If you answered Yes to any of the above questions then you need to find a company who can offer energy management solutions! By ensuring business energy reduction, your company could achieve double digit savings in less than one year, equating to hundreds of thousands off the bottom line! 

Adding value to clients

With today’s concerns about rising energy costs and environmental impact, companies need to ensure that they are doing as much as possible to cut energy costs and conform to all possible legal energy standards. 

Your worries can be eased: 

• Energy Management
• Climate Change Levy
• Waste Minimisation
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Bill Verification
• Utility measurement

By outsourcing your energy management you can save on your utility bill as they have: 

• Exceptional knowledge of various sectors
• Dedicated energy account managers/data analysts to support you.
• A proven methodology which saves more than traditional aM&T approaches.
• A strategic approach.
• Excellent links with the Carbon Trust and other organisations to help secure grant/loan funding on a project by project basis and experience of carbon trading.

 This is done by having: 

• A unique and advanced .Net web management system.
• Advanced statistical process control & proactive alarming.
• Customisable reporting & visualisation.

Here are some of the products/services we offer:

• aM&T
• Energy Management Software
• Business energy reduction

So don’t hesitate, get your energy management solution now!