“Regular market updates have improved our understanding of pricing dynamics and supported informed decision-making.”
Hill’s Panel Products Limited was established in 1991 with the aim of supplying high-quality components to the furniture industry across Greater Manchester. Since then, the business has expanded significantly and now offers a wide range of full and processed sheet materials, vinyl-wrapped furniture doors, and furniture fittings, delivering to customers across the UK.
Operating from more than 250,000 square feet of warehousing and production space, they place strong emphasis on product quality, efficiency, and reliability. Hill’s Panel Products’ long-term objective is clear: to be the best supplier in the furniture industry.
As an energy-intensive manufacturer operating across three large sites in Oldham, the client faced increased complexity in managing its energy procurement and costs.
The client had historically relied on fixed energy contracts to cover all three sites providing budget certainty. However, each site had different operational demands, making it challenging to gain visibility and control of energy usage and costs. Coupled with a fixed contracting approach, this limited flexibility and prevented the client from taking advantage of favourable market movements.
The client needed a procurement strategy that could simplify management across multiple sites while achieving the lowest possible energy prices without increasing risk.
Brownlow Utilities reviewed the client’s existing energy procurement strategy. It was identified that a fully fixed contract was no longer the most effective option for Hill’s Panel Products Limited.
Brownlow Utilities introduced a flexible procurement and dynamic risk management strategy, enabling energy purchasing to be spread across multiple points in the market rather than fixed on a single day. This approach allowed the client to benefit from market movements over time while maintaining a structured and controlled risk profile across all three sites.
Ongoing market monitoring, position reporting and proactive account management ensured purchasing decisions were made in line with the client’s operational requirements and long-term cost objectives.
Since moving to a flexible procurement contract for both gas and electricity, Hill’s Panel Products Limited has achieved £235,230.39 in savings against baseline costs, alongside £1,354,326.61 in savings against wider market prices.
Beyond the financial results, the client benefits from having a trusted energy partner that consistently acts in its best interests. With expert guidance, trading governance and proactive decision-making, Hill’s Panel Products Limited has gained improved cost control, reduced exposure to market volatility, and a procurement strategy aligned with long-term business growth.
“Working with Brownlow Utilities has been a highly positive experience for our business. As energy costs have become an increasing concern in recent years, their flexible procurement and dynamic risk management strategy has enabled us to successfully navigate a challenging market. Regular market updates have improved our understanding of pricing dynamics and supported informed decision-making. By combining day-ahead purchasing with strategic hedging, we have been able to manage volatility effectively while also capitalising on periods of lower prices.” – Dan Mounsey, Marketing & Business Development Director
