Case study

Client

United Asphalt

Location

Berkshire, UK

"Saving over 20% on our contract is a big positive for us"

United Asphalt are an independent asphalt manufacturer. They produce high quality asphalt, macadam and specialist surfacing products for use in highway construction, road maintenance, commercial, industrial and domestic applications across South East England. United Asphalt embody the concept of sustainable sourcing, recycling and reducing carbon emissions from the production process. We interviewed Mike Cowley, Managing Director at United Asphalt.

What challenges in your business or industry influenced you to look for a solution?

Up until this year, all of the gas for our asphalt business was procured via another organisation through a risk-managed flexible contract. As we took over responsibility for this we decided to engage with your consultancy as they came recommended by one of our Directors. Having only three weeks to arrange our new gas contract, we knew that we needed to act quickly to avoid coming to the end of our previous contract and subsequently being placed on out-of-contract rates by our existing Supplier.

Did you have a previous solution that could no longer meet your company’s needs? If so, how did your needs change?

Having experienced issues with an Energy Broker some years back, I needed full assurance from the consultancy that we would retain control of our relationship with the chosen energy supplier for our new contracts. We expected that our new rates would increase as we had broken-away from our previous procurement arrangement but were prepared for this.
Whilst our gas consumption is relatively predictable, we needed assurance that our new contract would not include any penalties for over or under-consumption (ie ‘take-or-pay clauses’).

Why did you choose our firm over our competitors?

They were recommended by one of our Directors. Having had a poor experience with energy brokers in the past, it was refreshing to deal with a company that was knowledgeable, transparent and straight to the point. It allowed me to place my trust in them and leave them to source me the most competitive deal for my business.

What did you find most attractive about our company and/or solution?

The entire tender process was negotiated and re-negotiated on our behalf in order to secure the most competitive, risk-free solution. Whilst we fully expected our new tariff to be higher than our previous one, they actually secured an annual reduction of over 20% compared with our previous rates.

What benefits have you experienced from working with us?

Saving over 20% on our contract is a big positive for us, lower energy costs allow us to reinvest that saved money elsewhere and help enhance the other processes that happen in our business, plus it was an all-round hassle free experience.

Want to chat about what you could save?

Call us on 020 8012 8244 or Contact Pickwick Cross