Case Studies
Genesis Housing Group – £500k saved through organisation and refund analysis
The Client
Genesis Housing Group is one of the largest and most diverse housing groups in the UK, owning or managing some 40,000 homes. The group is made up of several housing associations. Springboard housing, one of the group members has been a loyal client of The Monarch Partnership for nearly 20 years. This strong relationship lead to our services being required for PCHA another part of the group.
The Task
We took on PCHA as a client at the end of 2008 and began working to stream line their electric and gas supplies. The group have several suppliers and contracts and many sites not in contract and so it was our task to consolidate these supplies and ensure the contracts ran on a co-terminus basis at the best rates.
As well as managing the procurement we also undertook the validation of the bills form March 2009. This has resulted in thousands of pounds going back to PCHA with the refunds we have managed to secure. We also discovered several properties were being paid incorrectly and actually belonged to another housing association so we were able to manage and secure a large refund for these payment oversights.
The Result
In 12 months we have managed to secure around £500k savings for Genesis – PCHA. This money can then be put to better use in another part of the organisation. We have achieved these savings for this customer and also managed to consolidate their contracts and assist in budgeting. We can successfully interrogate the validity of invoices and save the organisation considerable time and resource to ensure the utility management runs efficiently. It is our aim to continue to reduce costs and make even further savings for this client going forward.
‘We have an extremely successful relationship with Monarch Partnership which has developed over the last 12 months. During this time they have helped us to organise our portfolio and tendered a number of utility contracts resulting in savings of over £500,000. Which in such a short space of time is an immense achievement.’
John Carey – Purchasing Manager, Genesis Housing Group
New Look – Connections
The Client
New Look Retailers open approx 20-30 new stores a year across the UK.
The Task
Monarch Partnership manages the new connection process for the electrical supplies. This involves liaising with the Landlords, developers and DNO (Distribution Network Operator) to ensure that the incoming supply is the correct size for New Look’s requirements and that the supply is ready to accept the installation of the meter. If the size is not of the required capacity, then Monarch will liaise with the DNO to organise an upgrade.
Once we have confirmation that the supply is ready, Monarch will then liaise with the Supplier and Meter Operator to ensure that the meter is installed and energised in time for New Look’s shopfit programme to commence on time.
The Result
Timely, continued management of site connections across a multi-site national portfolio.
‘We have used Monarch’s expertise for the completion of New Look’s electrical supply connections for over 5 years. The Electric industry is full of red tape and administration issues with all pieces of the jigsaw needing to be in place before the electric meter can be installed and energised. Monarch’s help and assistance in all New Look’s new stores has been invaluable to ensure that the stores are opened and trading on time.’
Gary Wilks, Project Services Manager, New Look
Superdrug Stores plc
The Client
Superdrug Stores is the UK’s second-largest health and beauty retailer currently operating over 900 stores in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Task
The Monarch Partnership undertakes a bill validation process for all Superdrug Stores plc water bills. We have streamlined the billing process with several suppliers to implement monthly group billing and meter’s have been installed across sites to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum. Monitoring and Targeting (M&T) has been set up to identify leaks and to maintain checks on consumption.
The Result
Dedicated supplier contacts have been put in place for query resolution, to ensure queries are handled quickly and sites are not threatened with legal action or disconnection for accounts that have queries outstanding.
Contracts have been agreed with Business Stream for all Scottish sites resulting in savings as well as improving administration and billing with an appointed contact.
The M&T has also highlighted several sites where leaks have occurred and where water is shared with other tenants.
