Thanks To A Team Of Regional Energy Specialists One NE England Manufacturer Is Saving Big
Experts from MAS North East’s Energy team saved aluminium die casting specialists Norfran Ltd 35% on its annual energy bills by renegotiating utility contracts, which has helped safeguard around 20 jobs at the plant.
The North Tyneside company, which is based on West Chirton Industrial Estate, called in the team of engineers when the impact of the recession reduced its turnover by 75%, which forced Norfran to lay off 86 of its 150-strong workforce.
Despite the best efforts of management and employees, in July 2009 the company was forced into administration. It was purchased by RM Easdale and started trading as Norfran Ltd re-employing a large number of its previous employees.
MAS North East began work at the firm in June and identified a need for rapid energy support. Norfran’s annual energy bills were in the region of £565,000.
An extended energy review was carried out and MAS North East brought in a specialist delivery partner Square One Utilities to help address energy supply problems, renegotiate energy bills and avoid punitive “out of contract” charges that Norfran faced.
The reduction in costs resulted in a hugely beneficial impact on the business.
Mark Smith Sales and Technical Manager at Norfran said: “The global economic downturn hit the company extremely hard, as it has manufacturers across the world. But with the dedication of our loyal employees the speed of the assistance of MAS North East and the continued support of Square One we have re-established ourselves in the industrial sector.
“By reducing our energy bills and energy consumption we have saved thousands, which has allowed us to focus on re-building the business and ensuring we are operating to maximum capacity.”
In order to further support Norfran Ltd, senior managers who will be involved in the energy procurement process in the future have received training in how to manage future utility contracts.
MAS North East Energy Specialist Steve Fountain said: “The change of ownership helped the company realise that it had to address various issues relating to its energy bills and that is where MAS North East and Square One came in.
“The encouraging results will strengthen the firm’s long and successful track record as a manufacturer of quality products.”
One North East Manufacturing and Productivity Manager Dr Colin Herron said: “This is another perfect example of how the MAS North East team can help businesses survive the impact of recession and prepare them to be in a healthy state to take full advantage of the economic upturn.
“I am delighted that Norfran are back on a healthy footing and looking forward to a long and successful future on North Tyneside.”
Dave Frazer, Commercial Manager at Square One Utilities said: “Cost effective energy procurement is critical to any company’s survival and growth, Square One Utilities developed a bespoke solution for Norfran Ltd which minimised costs and supported their future needs in a volatile and often confusing energy market.”
Norfran Ltd, formerly known as Norfran Aluminium Ltd, primarily supplies zinc and aluminium pressure die castings to a number of market sectors including automotive and white goods.
The MAS North East project is to be part financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme 2007-13. ERDF is bringing over £250m into North East England to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region. It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the region’s productivity by £1.1bn per annum.
MAS North East is part of Solutions for Business, the Government’s package of publicly funded support products offering help to companies to start, grow and succeed. Solutions for Business makes it easier for companies to get the advice and assistance that they need.
Topics: Britain, economic downturn, Economy, energy bill, energy support, England, funding, Governance, government, industrial sector, layoff, negotiations, Norfolk County Council, technogoly, utilities, workforce
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