Delivering Smarter Utility Procurement for The Box Factory
The Challenge
Like many manufacturers, The Box Factory was facing increasing pressure from rising utility costs alongside growing sustainability and compliance requirements. Managing contracts across multiple utility providers had become time-consuming, while carbon reporting obligations demanded greater visibility and expertise.
They needed a trusted partner that could reduce costs across water and energy, simplify utility management, and provide the reporting needed to support their sustainability objectives—all without disrupting day-to-day operations.
The Solution
Working together, Wodr and our sister company, Utility Stream, delivered a fully managed utility procurement solution.
Rather than asking The Box Factory to deal with multiple contacts for different services, we assigned one dedicated Account Manager to oversee the entire project. From water procurement through to gas, electricity and ongoing support, every aspect was managed through a single point of contact.
We know how frustrating it can be having to repeat conversations to different suppliers and account managers. That’s why our joined-up approach gives customers one trusted expert who understands their business and manages every stage of the process.
Following a comprehensive review of the site’s utility portfolio, we:
- Procured a new competitive water contract through Wodr.
- Tendered and secured new gas and electricity contracts through Utility Stream.
- Optimised Meter Operator (MOP) arrangements to reduce metering costs.
- Introduced bespoke CO₂ reporting through our Daytona platform to support sustainability reporting and compliance.
The result was a streamlined utility strategy that delivered significant savings while improving visibility and reducing administrative burden.
The Results
The Box Factory achieved substantial savings across its entire utility portfolio:
- Water: £1,515 saved over the contract term.
- Electricity: £68,500 saved through our competitive tender process.
- Gas: £62,310 saved through our competitive tender process.
- MOP Contract: £550 saved through optimised metering arrangements.
Total Savings: £133,075
These savings were delivered without any disruption to operations, while ensuring full compliance through optimised MOP contracts and comprehensive CO₂ reporting via Daytona.
Client Testimonial
“Ollie and his team have been a breath of fresh air, having been let down by our previous energy brokers. They have been able to reduce our utility bills significantly with savings in places we didn’t even know existed.
They insisted on gaining a deep understanding of our business so that their advice could be tailored to our specific industry requirements. We feel like we can trust them with all our future energy requirements.”
A Better Way to Manage Utilities
This project demonstrates the value of bringing water and energy procurement together under one dedicated Account Manager. By combining the expertise of Wodr and Utility Stream, The Box Factory benefited from lower costs, simplified account management, and the confidence that every aspect of their utilities was being managed by a team that understood their business.
Churchmarketplace (CMP) – Simplifying Water Services with Wodr
Churchmarketplace (CMP) – Simplifying Water Services with Wodr Across Multi-Site Catholic Organisations.
Churchmarketplace (CMP) supports Catholic schools, parishes, and diocesan organisations across England and Wales, helping them simplify procurement, reduce risk, and promote sustainability.
Managing water services across large estates with multiple connections, separate bills, and different decision makers had previously been a major challenge. Particularly for multi-academy trusts and diocesan offices. Organisations struggled with complex billing, limited visibility of usage, and uncertainty over competitive tariffs, while also aiming to meet sustainability and compliance goals.
How Did Wodr Help Catholic Organisations Save On Their Water Bills?
To address these procurement issues, CMP partnered with Wodr to create a national water services framework. Wodr led the tender process and selected Business Stream as the preferred supplier.
Wodr and Business Stream were then able to deliver a solution designed to handle multiple supply points, separate bills, and the involvement of different decision-makers across sites. The framework provides clear guidance, billing transparency, and expert support while allowing members to implement water efficiency initiatives. This includes detecting leaks, and promoting sustainability within their schools and estates.
Implementation was straightforward.
“The process has been well structured and straightforward.”
CMP members received clear materials and ongoing seasonal guidance from Wodr, making it easy to engage with the framework without extra administrative burden. Specialist support reduced internal resource demands, enabling organisations to focus on their core mission while ensuring water procurement was efficient, transparent, and compliant.
What Results Have Catholic Organisations Seen?
The results have been significant. Participating members have achieved average retail savings of 31% on retail fees, with large contracts such as a £250,000 award in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Improved billing visibility has allowed organisations to forecast costs and manage budgets more effectively.
Sustainability initiatives, including leak detection, water audits, and educational resources, have enhanced environmental stewardship across estates, supporting the Church’s “Care for Our Common Home” campaign.
Through this partnership, CMP has been able to offer Catholic organisations a structured, sustainable water procurement solution that delivers financial savings, operational simplicity, and environmental benefits, even across complex, multi-site estates with multiple connections and decision-makers.
How Sibford School Cut Water Costs by 35% with Wodr
Managing a school’s utilities can be complex, especially for a campus like Sibford School, an independent boarding school set on 55 acres in North Oxfordshire near Banbury. With 22 buildings—mostly classrooms and school facilities—the school’s water usage is significant, and keeping costs under control is a constant challenge.
Holly, the school’s Estate Manager, oversees all facilities management, health and safety, and the operation of the buildings. She explains that before working with Wodr, one of the biggest issues was simply getting in touch with their water supplier.
“It was very difficult to get hold of anybody when we had a query or issue”
On top of that, the school wasn’t fully confident that they were on the most cost-effective tariff, and there were some concerns around potential water leakages.
Why Did Sibford School Switch to a New Supplier?
The decision to explore a new water supplier came after the school’s experience with a previous utility broker left them feeling that the level of support and service was lacking. What stood out with Wodr was clear communication, responsiveness, and a genuine willingness to solve problems.
A Smooth Switching Process
Switching suppliers can be stressful, but for Sibford School, the process was remarkably smooth. Holly highlights that all pricing, contract details, and potential savings were communicated transparently, which took the guesswork out of the process.
Significant Cost Savings
Since switching, Sibford School has saved an estimated 35% on water costs. Billing has also improved: the Accounts Team now finds it much easier to query invoices and track usage. Better visibility has allowed the school to forecast water expenditure more accurately, helping with budget planning and day-to-day management.
Confidence in Compliance
While the school hasn’t used all the sustainability and monitoring services offered, Holly is finally confident that the water supply and billing are fully compliant with regulations—a key concern for any educational institution.
What Was The Impact Of Working With Wodr?
For day-to-day operations, the biggest benefit has been peace of mind. Holly shares that she would highly recommend Wodr to other businesses:
“You feel you are in safe hands, and they work to find the best deal for you and your business”.
Wodr takes away the stress of navigating your way through the complex world of utilities. So if you are in need of a new water strategy, get in touch with our experts today for free, no-obligation advice.
Wodr x Manufacturer in North-West England
Client Background
ABC Manufacturing is a manufacturer of automotive parts with facilities across the UK. Despite their success, they faced escalating operational costs, particularly in water usage.
Their outdated systems and lack of realtime monitoring led to inefficiencies and rising expenses, prompting them to seek innovative solutions to optimise water management.
Challenges
High Water Bills: Water bills had increased by 15% annually, primarily due to inefficient water use and undetected leaks.
Outdated Infrastructure: The facility’s water systems were outdated, leading to wastage and higher maintenance costs.
Sustainability Goals: The company aimed to improve its environmental footprint but lacked the expertise to implement effective water-saving measures.
Solutions Implemented
Water Audit: Our team conducted a thorough audit to identify inefficiencies, including outdated fixtures and undetected leaks.
Smart Metering: We installed smart water meters across the facility, providing real-time data on water usage. This enabled quick detection of irregularities and leaks.
Efficient Fixtures: The introduction of water-efficient fixtures and systems, such as low-flow toilets, all to significantly reduce water consumption.
Results
Reduced Water Usage: The facility achieved a 25% reduction in water usage, translating into substantial cost savings.
Annual Savings: By cutting down on waste and improving efficiency, ABC Manufacturing saved over £100,000 annually on water expenses.
Improved Sustainability: The company enhanced its sustainability credentials, aligning with environmental goals and attracting eco-conscious clients.
Operational Efficiency: The modernised systems reduced maintenance needs, lowering operational costs and improving overall efficiency.
