Procurement/Facilities Managers... are you getting what you pay for?

With the pressures on spending, close scrutiny of procurement and good governance continuing to be under the spotlight, national wood pellet supplier, Y Pellets, is asking facilities managers using biomass wood pellets as an alternative energy source, especially those in the public sector, to fully examine what they pay for.

At a time when many suppliers subcontract deliveries to third party vehicles which don't meet EN Plus trading standards, Y Pellets has identified discrepancies in practices widely used by contractors who are not legal for trade but supply to the likes of schools, hospitals and residential care homes.

This could mean that local authorities may be receiving up to 10% less product on delivery compared to the quantity ordered if only specifying the quality of the pellets and not the standard of vehicles making the deliveries.

Additionally, for EN Plus A1 standard pellets, the actual delivery service must be EN Plus certified too for the product to be regarded as such, often a key requirement for many facilities managers.

Managing director, Neil Holland, explained, "Procurement professionals that specify pellets as an energy resource for public buildings know they have a financial responsibility to ensure money is spent correctly but unless delivery vehicles are legal for trade, there may be discrepancies in the amount ordered compared to the amount being delivered.

"Our lorries are 100% our own, not subcontracted, so we can ensure the highest fuel quality possible throughout the whole delivery process. Clients can reap benefits in real terms meaning fuel cost savings of thousands of pounds.

"This could be anything from 2-10% which for cash strapped authorities could potentially mean thousands when examining procurement and expenditure. Our systems can eliminate any such shortfall and therefore have a direct impact on bottom line finances."

Y Pellets has recently made a significant investment in new, specially-equipped six and eight wheel delivery trucks featuring state-of-the-art electronic weighing systems and on-board technology. This latest investment will see the company further extend its distribution capability to southern areas of England and north of the border into Scotland, and strengthen its position as a rapidly-emerging, key player within the UK's biomass fuel market.

The fleet includes state-of-the-art, electronic weighing systems that are calibrated by local weights and measures authorities and automatically send records of each delivery direct from the vehicle to the company's head office and then onto the customer. The vehicles have been adapted to provide a highly controlled, fit-for-purposes environment for EN Plus A1 pellets during transportation as well as guarantee that the tonnage ordered is received in full by the end user.

Neil added, "Our clients can protect the investment made in their biomass boiler system and guarantee the expected returns from renewable heat incentives well into the future. This in real terms could mean substantial savings." 

Y Pellets can supply bulk-blown, premium quality (EN Plus), sustainable biomass wood pellets to businesses, including the public sector, throughout the UK. For details please email: alistair.wright@ypellets.com