Cost of energy fuels growth at Orchard

ORCHARD Energy is preparing to expand its operations in Yorkshire and across the UK to meet a growing demand for energy purchasing and efficiency advice from businesses hit by rising energy prices.

Managing director of the Elland-headquartered business, Gareth Henderson, said concerns about the impact of rising energy prices on profitability and future investment were widespread in the business community and this had led to an increase in demand for its consultancy services.

“Whereas domestic customers can save a couple of hundred pounds by switching supplier, the potential savings for businesses run into the thousands, because usage levels are so much higher,” he said.

“Our role is to fully test the market across the Big Six energy firms as well as smaller suppliers. We are not here as servants to the Big Six – our job is to test them and make sure they remain competitive in their pricing in order to win and retain commercial contracts.”

The business, which also has regional offices in Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol, said internal reorganisation during 2013 had strengthened the senior management team and recruitment was now underway to expand the national sales force.

Orchard Energy was founded in 2004 and is part of the Orchard Group, which includes waste management firm Orchard Environmental and IT and telecoms company Orchard Networks. The group currently employs 90 people.

Henderson said recruitment was also underway in Bristol, Glasgow and Newcastle as the company prepared to increase its coverage in all parts of the UK.

“By recruiting hard in the first quarter of this year we will be in a position to significantly increase our client portfolio over the next 12 to 18 months to meet the demand for independent advice that will help businesses reduce their energy overheads and improve their bottom line,” he said.

Henderson said 2014 would also see further expansion of Orchard Energy’s energy solutions and water management services.

He said: “Energy purchasing will always be high on the agenda for businesses as they strive to overcome the impact of rising gas and power prices but 2013 also saw strong demand for efficiency advice and planning and this is a trend that looks set to continue.

“Water is a natural bolt on to Orchard’s energy operations, complementing our other utility management businesses, and will be an important part of our expansion plans in Scotland where the industry has already undergone deregulation and where our energy business is growing rapidly, our Glasgow team now being responsible for more than 200 clients.”