22 June 2006

BPIF offers SME members competitive advantage through access to energy markets

www.britishprint.com/energy The BPIF is working with energy specialists CMR Consultants Limited (CMR) to reduce members’ energy costs and to ensure that member companies of all sizes are benefiting fully from a liberalised and competitive energy market. Whilst very large energy users may have benefited through wielding their purchasing power and domestic consumers through government regulation and pressure, the remainder of the unprotected business market has seen fewer advantages. Now with the UK energy supply market tightening, the smaller business sector is falling further behind. Collective organisations (such as trade associations) can work together to bring the benefits of large company purchasing to the SME sector. The BPIF is setting up a print industry energy buying consortium, exclusively for its members in order to: 1. Use collective buying power to get better energy deals 2. Give access to energy markets for members of all sizes and proactive purchasing to exploit the opportunities of market pricing and timing thus not being forced to buy when the price is high 3. Give access to a range of professional energy cost reduction services available from CMR such as SMART metering to identify energy reduction opportunities as well as elimination of estimated bills and incorrect VAT and CCL assessments. BPIF Chief Executive Michael Johnson urges members to join the Consortium in order to derive maximum benefit: “The BPIF is always looking for opportunities to use its position to bring competitive advantage for its members and thereby improve the profitability of the sector. Companies with relatively small buying power can use the opportunity that the BPIF provides to aggregate and drive even more value from their annual subscription.” Subject to receiving sufficient interest from its members, the first phase of the Consortium will begin in October 2006. For more information visit www.britishprint.com/energy Members will be receiving questionnaires and Agreement forms through the post next week.