Group energy buying program for Mass. manufacturers launched by MassDevelopment and EarlyBird Power announces founding member companies and new website
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Manufacturing Energy Collaborative (MassMEC), a buying group of manufacturers that reduces energy costs by purchasing energy supply in bulk, today announced more than 30 founding partner companies that have signed on to participate in the collaborative.
The companies, located in regions throughout the Commonwealth, include, United Tool and Machine in Wilmington, CSH Industries in Plymouth and Airxchange in Rockland.
MassMEC, which was first announced by Governor Patrick in April, enables manufacturing companies to lower their energy costs by negotiating volume rates from electricity and natural gas suppliers. It also provides free energy efficiency and renewable energy reviews.
“MassMEC is an innovative program that addresses one of the single biggest challenges facing manufacturers – the high cost of energy,” said Shaun Pandit, president of EarlyBird Power and manager of MassMEC. “MassMEC makes energy purchasing easier, more efficient and cost effective, and in just a few short weeks since the collaborative’s launch, we’re happy to announce that more than 30 companies have joined us for this unique and valuable program.”
In addition to the founding company partners, MassMEC has also launched a new website and logo aimed at raising awareness of the collaborative’s benefits for the state’s manufacturing industry and other businesses.
“MassMEC is a tremendous new resource that provides companies with trusted advice and guidance when it comes to energy buying and renewable and efficiency consulting,” said James Hassan, owner of CSH Industries. “There is often a lot of confusion when it comes to energy purchasing. MassMEC was able to review our company’s history and ended up saving us more than 50 percent on our energy supply costs.”
MassMEC also helped Airxchange successfully avoid an automatic fee increase on electric charges, saving the company $2800-$3600 per year over the next three years. In addition, MassMEC secured an extended long-term contract saving 11 percent over the next best quote.
“The knowledge, enthusiasm, and fast response guided us through the process,” said Dave Kirk, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Airxchange, Inc. “The entire team provided straightforward information and guidance, making it easy to understand the various elements of energy cost and how to better manage the expense.”
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency that created MassMEC, selected EarlyBird Power to manage the Collaborative following a competitive bidding process. EarlyBird Power is a Milton-based energy market expert that provides energy management and sustainability solutions to commercial, municipal and industrial clients. A licensed broker in natural gas and electricity in every deregulated state, EarlyBird uses its market expertise and relationships with wholesale suppliers to help clients save money and “go green.”
“We launched MassMEC to support the Commonwealth’s manufacturers by minimizing their energy costs,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “This program will not only help this vital sector, but will also make it more efficient and help our economy.”
MassMEC is also a product of the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, a Patrick Administration initiative that brings together members of the private and public sectors to support Massachusetts manufacturers.
