Proactive utility management and kVA optimisation delivered immediate savings and long-term protection from rising costs.
ELG Metals UK Ltd is a specialist recycler with over 60 years of experience in the trading, processing, and recycling of secondary raw materials. The business supplies sustainable materials to the stainless steel industry through the processing of chromium-nickel alloyed scrap and also recycles high-performance materials such as superalloys and titanium for the aerospace, oil and gas, and energy sectors.
Since 2021, ELG Metals UK Ltd has been part of Aperam, a global leader in stainless, electrical, and speciality steel and recycling, with sustainability and circular economy principles at the core of its operations.
As a long-standing customer of over ten years, ELG Metals UK Ltd utilises Brownlow Utilities’ energy procurement and portfolio management services. Through ongoing account management and regular portfolio reviews by their dedicated account manager, Brownlow Utilities identified potential exposure to rising industry non-commodity costs that could significantly impact the business.
Given the scale of ELG’s recycling operations and the energy-intensive nature of its machinery and sites, agreed supply capacity (kVA) was identified as a key area of focus. To reduce future cost exposure and ensure charges accurately reflected operational demand, a retrospective bill audit was recommended, with particular attention to kVA levels.
Brownlow Utilities carried out a full retrospective bill audit across electricity, gas, and water, reviewing charges over a period of more than six years. This detailed analysis assessed historical demand, agreed supply capacity, and billing accuracy to identify opportunities for cost reduction and correction.
The audit identified that contracted capacity was significantly higher than required. As a result, Brownlow Utilities supported a reduction in agreed kVA from 270 kVA at Band 4 to 121 kVA at Band 2, representing a 55% reduction. This ensured capacity levels were aligned with actual site demand.
The retrospective audit and kVA reduction delivered substantial financial savings for ELG Metals UK Ltd. The changes resulted in a 30% saving on water charges in year one, equating to £9,032. In addition, reductions in agreed supply capacity (kVA) for electricity delivered year one savings of £13,660.
Crucially, the proactive oversight provided by Brownlow’s dedicated Account Manager ensured ELG Metals UK Ltd was protected ahead of industry cost uncertainty. Regular portfolio reviews and forward-looking analysis enabled risks to be identified early, allowing corrective action to be taken before rising non-commodity charges could impact the business.
“Brownlow Utilities have provided us with an excellent service across our sites for a number of years now”-Andy Dodd | Head of Operations and Executive Officer
