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Energy costs a burden for SMEs

Mar 15 2011

Less than a quarter of financial directors feel able to manage energy costs

Less than a quarter (23 per cent) of financial directors feel able to manage energy costs, research finds.

Staff costs (84 per cent), suppliers (41 per cent) and equipment (37 per cent), are all more manageable, according to a 201-strong study by British Gas Business.

Large numbers of FDs are planning to save money in the coming year through improving staff productivity (71 per cent) and cutting headcount and salaries (33 per cent), rather than prioritising savings available from effective energy management (23 per cent).

Some 68 per cent admit that energy efficiency is discussed in board meetings very occasionally or hardly ever.

Kanat Emiroglu, managing director of British Gas Business, says: “Our findings demonstrate the untapped opportunity to use energy management as a tool to control costs.’

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