About the Client
With over a century of success, this large New Jersey-based insurance group is a leading property and casualty insurer in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The company employs over 2,000 workers and has won numerous awards and forms of recognition, including from Forbes and J.D. Power.
Streamlining Their Energy Strategy Through a Trusted Advisor
With three large locations, energy has become one of the largest expenses for this company. Finding ways to reduce energy costs became a priority.
Within the last few years, the business has decided to simplify their procurement process by working with EnerConnex for both electric and natural gas contracting. Anthony M., Administrator of Accounting and Contracts, was responsible for leading the business into the next phase. It would simplify their process while also generating a more competitive pricing environment.
EnerConnex had already built a strong relationship with the company by supporting successful electricity pricing events over the years. Thanks to this trusted partnership led by EnerConnex representative Jim Hooven, Anthony confidently turned to EnerConnex again to explore new opportunities for savings on natural gas.
One Broker, One Simplified Process, One Great Partnership
In Anthony’s experience with other brokers, he typically received just a single quote. Without additional options, it was difficult to know whether the pricing was competitive. The lack of comparison made informed decision-making a challenge. He wanted to work with someone who could provide a greater variety of choices so he would have a better idea about the potential energy contracts in the market.
Furthermore, working with these other brokers often felt purely transactional. But in working with Jim and EnerConnex, Anthony enjoyed a more positive experience. Anthony identified several qualities Jim and EnerConnex brought to the table:
- Innovation: Jim delivered innovative ideas and suggestions that Anthony hadn’t considered before.
- Knowledge: Jim’s deep knowledge of the New Jersey energy market impressed Anthony and his colleagues.
- Proactiveness: Rather than wait until just before an energy contract was set to end, Jim and EnerConnex would suggest possibilities for new contracts months before the current one ended.
- Low-pressure: Even with all the communication and options EnerConnex presented, Anthony never felt pressured into signing any deal; Jim never acted “salesy.”
Better Contracts, Better Relationship
In terms of pure dollars and cents, EnerConnex has been a reliable partner to this NJ-based insurance company. EnerConnex has brought forward-looking quotes. Some have had favorable long-term contracts and others have offered better short-term opportunities.
EnerConnex has always proved ready to capitalize on the next opportunity. Long before a contract is over, Anthony says, Jim gets in touch about future possibilities for the next one.
Anthony: “If we entered into a $.10/kWh contract and that plummeted, we wouldn’t hear from the other broker.” But EnerConnex would be in touch. “When we think of partnership, we think of EnerConnex as a partner, and not solely a broker.” The company is also leveraging the expertise of EnerConnex to explore solar as a future option.
Anthony stresses that the value of the partnership is not just about money. For Anthony, it’s more about value and service. Management at the company trusts EnerConnex, always valuing Jim’s expertise above all others.
This is truly remarkable, because it has forced Anthony to overlook what is, in his opinion, Jim’s only major character flaw: his support of the Philadelphia Eagles. If EnerConnex can make Anthony trust an Eagles fan, he says, then the service must be excellent!