£3.7m lean green savings

Feb 5 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

NORTH East companies have saved £3.7m over the past two years thanks to a pioneering lean green energy team of regional specialists.

At a time of recession and rising energy costs, One North East is highlighting the help available to businesses under its Real Help For Business Now campaign which is being supported by The Journal.

The MAS-NEPA (the combined Manufacturing Advisory Service and the North East Productivity Alliance) Energy scheme has helped 240 companies save millions by offering expert advice on how to eliminate energy waste from manufacturing processes and guidance on energy costs and bills.

MAS-NEPA Energy boasts a team of highly trained engineers from across the region who are recruited via a panel under the guidance of industry specialist Allen Jones.

He said: “This programme originated as a direct response to rising global energy prices, which was having a significant impact on North East manufacturers, but it has become an important tool for businesses looking at ways to cut back on costs and wastage as the recession takes hold in the region.

“By working with businesses and spending time monitoring the way each individual firm operates, we can develop individual energy action plans, analyse current usage and highlight innovative means to cut bills all linked to increasing skills. Since One North East started the programme, we have grown and developed the service.”

The service is now being delivered by MAS- NEPA, based in Sunderland, and managed by private sector partners PA Consulting. Since the move in October 2008, MAS-NEPA Energy has saved 25 companies over £1.6m.

Colin Herron, ONE manufacturing and productivity manager, said: “This is real on-the-ground help for manufacturing businesses at a time when it’s most needed.”

For further information, contact Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast