Case study CLIENT: West Country Free Range Farmers INDUSTRY: Farming COMPLETED: Ongoing

Business Cost Reduction Associates Limited, Darwin House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NP.

Registered office: Darwin House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NP. Company registration: 5537190. © 2013 BCR Associates Ltd

SUMMARY

West Country Free Range

Famers cooperative has

been established since

1996 and has 65 members.

Members were experiencing

issues ranging from

incorrect billing to problems

with government solar

panel payments.

BCR Associates reviewed

members’ essential spend

identifying savings of 43%

of gas, 28% on electricity

and 54% on telecoms.

100% of savings were

passed back to the client.

ABOUT OUR CLIENT

West Country Free Range

Farmers cooperative formed in

April 1996 and now boasts 65

members. Between them the

West Country Farmers account

for 40% of all free range

chickens reared in the UK. Their

members aim for the highest

standards, supplying high

welfare produce to leading

supermarkets such as

Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

As busy farmers the

procurement of energy,

telecoms and other essential

supplies often takes a back seat

due to the demands of the job.

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

WCFR members were

experiencing various energy and

telecoms issues including

inaccurate billing, poor service

levels, difficulties with solar

panel subsidies and little

resource/time to manage their

supplies effectively.

BCR Associates were invited to

speak to WCFR members at their

recent West Country Free Range

Farmers’ AGM. After the

presentation an informal Q&A

session was conducted,

dispelling any concerns about

the cost reduction opportunity

and outlining the no cost no

obligation process.

OUR APPROACH

BCR Associates’ dedicated

Account Manager worked closely

with WCFR members to

understand their business needs

with a view to reducing their

cost and administration burden.

BCR Associates researched and

offered bespoke solutions,

managing the entire process of

their behalf, all without cost or

obligation and 100% of the

savings realised were added to

the members profit line.

T: 0800 048 2928 E: info@bcrassociates.co.uk

WHAT OUR CUSTOMER SAYS

“BCR Associates’ presentation and Q&A

session at our AGM was clear and concise,

giving us confidence in their service.

Because my farm had been with British Gas

for so long we thought our loyalty would

have been rewarded with preferential rates

but in fact they had simply been rolling our

contract onto uncompetitive tariffs which

BCR Associates established did not even

reflect our actual usage.

Having BCR Associates manage our supplies

at no cost and with no obligation has taken

away all the hassle of administration, call

centres and filing which we had severely

neglected! My eyes have been opened to

how much of a cash leak these supplies can

be. Now they are being pro actively

managed by the experts at BCR Associates,

I can focus on front line duties and enjoy

the savings identified being added to my

profit line.”

Richard Turner

Penleaze Farm

THE PROJECT

From energy billing, the

experts at BCR Associates

were able to clarify existing

gas and electricity

contracts, diarise future

renewal dates and action

any renewal windows or out

of contract rates.

Many supplies were up for

renewal at the time of the

cost review and so BCR

Associates were able to

secure new contracts on

reduced rates and increased

service levels, whilst

managing the entire process

on WCFR members’ behalf.

Additional areas which were

reviewed included telecoms

and infrastructure spend.

WCFR farmers received

bespoke proposals

identifying savings,

improved broadband speeds

and better service levels.

THE RESULTS

West Country Free Range

Farmers now have complete

peace of mind that their

supplies are being managed

by BCR Associates with their

business’ best interests at

heart leaving them free to

concentrate on their day

job.

Going forward they will

never miss a renewal date

or have to worry about

dealing with the piles of

administration that come

along with these associated

services.

Some examples of the

savings achieved are;

Farm gas supplies

£3,962.60 (43.36%)

annual saving

Farm electricity supplies

£6512 (28%) saving

over a two year contract

£727 (10%) saving over

a three year contract

£488 (11%) annual

saving

Farm telecoms supply

£2,500 (54%) saving

over three years

© 2013 BCR Associates Ltd Business Cost Reduction Associates Limited, Darwin House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NP.

Registered office: Darwin House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NP. Company registration: 5537190.

T: 0800 048 2928 E: info@bcrassociates.co.uk