Energy Case Studies
Energy Efficiency Saves Sharp Interpack £200,000 in the First Year Alone
Sharp Interpack is the UK's largest producer of thermoformed plastic trays for packaging applications. After recently embarking on an energy efficiency initiative the company is on course to save over £200,000 in the first year alone.
Independent Expert Advice
The secret of their success? A true commitment by the entire organisation to reduce energy consumption and costs, by improving efficiency and procurement practices, backed by independent expert advice from Utility Masters.
"Prior to the initiative, higher energy prices over the last two years had increased our annual production costs by over £500,000," explains Sharp Interpack's Operations Manager. "Suddenly energy efficiency became a high priority, particularly after one of our customers told us about the substantial savings they had achieved as a result of working with Utility Masters."
Within two days of a site survey by Utility Masters' engineer, energy committees were established to enable all personnel who had the ability to influence energy use to discuss project implementation. Armed with a detailed Energy Efficiency Plan, the company started to see the results of their efforts almost immediately.
Energy Saving Initiatives
Project management was headed up by Utility Masters consultants who helped to prioritise initiatives. Site consumption data was analysed in detail, allowing the effectiveness of new shutdown policies and production schedules to be reviewed. Flexible sub-metering of specific manufacturing processes identified further opportunities to make savings.
It is often the case that the cumulative effect of small changes can have a substantial effect on efficiency. Staff awareness campaigns, the elimination of compressed air leakages, a review of the use of electric process heating, scheduling of equipment usage and improved insulation are all contributing to bottom line savings. As a result, Sharp Interpack were on course to achieve a 20% reduction in its £2m energy bill over the next 18 months.
In addition to energy saving initiatives, the Utility Masters team conducted a detailed analysis of consumption data, bringing to light errors in billing data which resulted in a direct reimbursement of energy costs to the client.
Reduce Energy Costs
To reduce energy costs, Utility Masters also managed a Flexible Purchasing contract which allowed Sharp Interpack to benefit from lower wholesale prices as and when they became available. Access to a wealth of expertise and relevant information has provided the company with the tools to improve their energy purchasing performance.
"The changes initiated and managed by Utility Masters had a dramatic and immediate effect on our bottom line," says Sharp Interpack's Financial Director. "We are already passing the benefits of increased efficiency onto our customers in the form of a more competitive service."
To find out how other companies across all market sectors have dramatically reduced their energy spend by working with this North West-based consultancy, please contact us.