Forward planning essential for new or upgraded supplies as UK manufacturing hits a 30-year high.

Britain’s factories are benefitting from an export boom as the weak pound and demand from the strong eurozone economies leave manufacturers with the biggest order books since 1988,

The Daily Telegraph reported back in December.

To meet the surge in output new or an upgrade of existing energy supplies will be needed to keep the production lines running.

When applying for new or upgraded electricity and natural gas supplies, customers should be mindful that time is a valuable commodity. Utility companies and Energy Suppliers work to pre-set rules applied by Ofgem and will not wavier from them through fear of financial penalty.

The clock starts and stops at various points along the lengthy process with a maximum response time at each stage.

• Acknowledgement of an initial enquiry
• Preparation of formal quotation, (new/upgrade works).
• Formal notification periods relating to registration of supply contracts and meter installations.
• Scheduling of works following receipt of official acceptance and payment.

Beyond these pre-determined timescales, the physical restrictions of the planned work will determine the scheduled start date.

• Long lead materials, plant etc.
• Legal restrictions, wayleaves, highway opening notices.
• Managing network operational restrictions, (turning supplies off, installing new equipment on the network)
• Resourcing manpower.

The biggest influencing factor is often the long lead items. Projects involving more than simply extending existing infrastructure are often subject to extended timescales as items such as switchgear and transformers are not ‘off the shelf’ items.  At this point customers are very much at the mercy of the utility companies and the need for cooperation is key to ensure that time saved is captured.

If you need advice or support on a specific project involving new or upgraded supplies, please give us a call on 01225 867722 so that we can help make the process as smooth as possible.

Energy consultancy puts their foot to the metal and presses on with expansion plans

Energy Management LLP is pleased to announce the acquisition of energy procurement specialists Bruder Resources Ltd.

The acquisition is the first of many planned by the fast-growing Wiltshire firm as it looks to underline its position as one of the leading energy consultancies and brokers in the UK.

Established in 1998, Bruder has developed an unrivalled portfolio of loyal clients over the past two decades from its base near Birmingham.

Energy Management LLP CEO Steve Retford said: “Bruder is a renowned name in the industrial heartland of the West Midlands having built long-lasting relationships with casting houses and metal forming companies. Our in-house engineering expertise will enable us to add a lot of value to the work they have done over many years in this energy intensive sector.”

Mr Retford added: “Their company values match that of our own in that, we too, believe in relationships built on trust and transparency. Many of the companies that have been with Bruder from the start of the fledgling energy management industry in the 1990s are still with them to this day.

“As members of the Cast Metals Federation, Aluminium Federation and Combustion Engineering Association, we’ve been looking to increase our presence amongst the traditional industries in this area and we believe Bruder Resources to be a natural fit as we look to continue to expand the company and our offering.”

He added: “We will be progressing other acquisitions in the near future, these are exciting times.”

About Energy Management LLP

Based in Bradford-on-Avon near Bath, Energy Management provides the full array of energy consultancy and brokerage services and has been helping its clients, including some of the best-known brands in the UK, to reduce their fuel consumption and costs and improve energy efficiency since 2000. The team at Energy Management has years of experience working in the energy industry and associated fields, either as energy consultants or chartered engineers.