When your Edinburgh bakery business is on the rise and there is a need for more space, moving to bigger premises often proves to be the best decision.
And when that new home presents itself as a blank canvas in which to introduce a whole host of energy-saving processes and improvements, it is too good an opportunity to miss on the sustainability journey.
To achieve the best results, it’s good to have an energy-saving expert on hand to help guide and advise on choices. That’s why Company Bakery turned to Business Energy Scotland to help the four directors focus on making the right choices when planning their move from their current home on Devon Place in the capital.
“Without the help of Business Energy Scotland, we would have made some of the changes but it would have taken us three or four years. Business Energy Scotland has supercharged the transformation.”
Duncan Findlater, co-owner and director, said: “Five or six years ago, we were a startup and we have just grown and grown. We’re in the process of moving to a new site in Eskmills, Musselburgh.
“Given the increase in energy prices and how much our consumption is going to go up in bigger premises, we wanted to know how we could become more sustainable.”
The business, which is keen to expand into Glasgow and up to Aberdeen, has gone from strength to strength in the past four years with a growing number of people keen to enjoy their signature sourdough.
One of our experienced consultants looked in detail at the new site and learned how the business operates. A bumper report was presented to Duncan and his fellow directors including a series of recommendations that collectively implemented could reduce the Company Bakery’s carbon emissions by 66%.
The management team at the bakery is introducing a number of these recommendations before the new site goes live and will revisit other suggestions once established in their new home.
Company Bakery, which has 150 wholesale customers and also makes deliveries in Edinburgh direct to personal customers, has already invested in the recommended energy efficient ovens with the support of a Scottish Government interest-free SME loan with cashback.
New, bigger and more efficient mixers are also on the shopping list and will be in place before the move.
The new equipment will be supported by energy-efficiency improvements on the actual site, including:
There will be increased energy monitoring and a push on raising awareness once the 30 staff have made the move. The directors will also look at the potential for solar panels to reduce energy costs further.
Duncan said: “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, but being green isn’t easy. Without the help of Business Energy Scotland, we would have made some of the changes but it would have taken us three or four years. Business Energy Scotland has supercharged the transformation.
“We are on an energy efficiency journey – we have an electric van with another on its way.
“The help we received from Business Energy Scotland has been comprehensive. I regularly refer to the report to ensure we stay on track.”
Business Energy Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to provide free, impartial support and access to funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises save energy, carbon and money
Whether you are just starting out on your energy-saving journey and need some pointers or are looking for expertise and funding to support your current plans, our team of experienced business advisors and energy-saving consultants are here to help. Get in touch today.