Case 1
40% Energy Saving for Manufacturing client
One of the most rewarding parts of our work at Money Helpdesk is helping businesses navigate markets where they lack internal expertise. This was exactly the case for a manufacturing firm in the West Midlands
As they approached the end of their existing business energy contracts, the management team became increasingly concerned about the impact of volatile market prices on their bottom line. Without a dedicated energy specialist in-house, they felt vulnerable to high renewal rates and reached out to their accountant, who introduced them to us.
Upon reviewing their account, we quickly identified that their current rates were significantly higher than the market average. By conducting a thorough procurement exercise, we were able to secure new contracts that delivered an immediate 27% annual saving across both gas and electricity.
But we didn't stop there. By analysing their SIC code, we identified that GCIP was eligible for a specific government energy discount scheme that they hadn't yet applied for. We were able to facilitate this application for them, securing a further 13% saving.
The final result was a massive 40% reduction in annual energy costs. This gave the directors the peace of mind to focus on their core manufacturing operations while we continue to manage their invoices and supplier queries.
Case 2
Saving £100,000 for a Manufacturing Client
We often meet clients who have lost confidence in their existing advisors. At Money Helpdesk, we pride ourselves on transparency, and this case study involves a manufacturing business who certainly felt that way about their previous energy broker.
Having made several purchasing decisions without explaining the strategy behind them, their previous broker had left the business exposed to high costs and created a breakdown in trust.
When they approached us for an independent review, our priority was to provide clarity. We conducted a detailed audit of their market position and worked closely with the team to understand their specific risk tolerance. While they were still receiving recommendations from their original broker, we provided them with a second opinion to ensure every trade decision was sound.
By implementing a new short, medium, and long-term procurement strategy, we helped the client move away from reactive buying. Over three electricity purchasing seasons, we saved them over £80,000 compared to the pricing levels their previous broker had recommended. With an additional £21,000 saved on gas, the total benefit to the client exceeded £100,000, restoring their confidence in their energy strategy.
Case 3
Urgent New Connection for Business Expansion
Time is often the biggest hurdle in property and business development. We recently supported a client who was expanding their operations into another building adjacent to their premises. The complex twist of the project being that their new building contained a domestic flat that needed to remain on a separate supply from the commercial operation.
The business had a strict four-week deadline to open the new premises, and this was only possible if a new electricity connection and meter could be installed in time.
Leveraging our extensive supplier network, we immediately contacted our preferred connection partners and shortlisted three suppliers who could guarantee the four-week turnaround. We then provided three different 12-month supply contracts for the client to choose from.
We managed the entire process, from the initial application to the installation appointment. The new connection was successfully installed within the tight timeframe, allowing the business to open on schedule and avoid any loss of revenue or additional contractor costs. Furthermore, the domestic tenant now has their own independent supply, providing a clean separation for the business’s accounts.
Case 4
Streamlining a National Care Group’s Utility Portfolio
Many of the clients who come to us are overwhelmed by the sheer scale of their utility management, often operating across multiple sites with complex, fragmented contracts. One of our most significant recent success stories involved a National Care Group that was struggling to manage the energy demands of over 250 individual sites with a combined annual energy spend exceeding £3 million.
Because they were procuring gas, electricity, and water contracts on a site-by-site basis there were over 250 separate contracts, each with different suppliers and varying end dates. They lacked a central overview of their business energy consumption and were deeply concerned that they were overpaying.
Our energy specialist began by conducting a comprehensive audit to create a portfolio overview. The goal was to align the entire group into one strategic procurement exercise. We identified that a flexible energy contract would be the most effective solution. Unlike with standard fixed-rate deals, this allowed the group to benefit from regular market interactions, purchasing energy at strategic intervals rather than in one single, high-risk transaction.
Our team secured the contract without the need for the client to provide credit mitigation and implemented bridging contracts to ensure no meters reverted to expensive variable rates while the new strategy was being finalised. We then provided them with a bespoke dashboard, allowing them to compare usage across their care homes and identify further efficiencies through site performance.
The impact of this strategic overhaul was immediate and substantial. By moving to a group-flexible contract, we helped the Care Group secure a 20% annual saving, amounting to over £600,000 in the first year alone. Over the full four-year contract, total savings are forecast to exceed £1 million.
Our invoice validation service also uncovered significant historical errors, resulting in a further £50,000 rebate for the Group. Beyond the financial wins, the Group now enjoys total peace of mind with monthly invoice validation and extended 28-day payment terms.