Rexel Belgium has 600 employees and 38 sales outlets throughout the country. By working with ERA Group; this distributor of electrical equipment for the residential and industrial sectors is optimising its indirect costs and benefiting from an international network of experienced consultants.
In 2014; when ERA contacted Rexel Belgium to offer to analyze and reduce its indirect costs; it was not the first time the company had been approached by a no cure no pay company. "Internally; we had already wanted to look at the peripheral costs of distribution; but we never managed to find the time;" recalls Pierre Benoît; CEO of Rexel Benelux/UK and Ireland. That was without counting on the tenacity and perseverance of ERA's experts. "It was really a matter of feeling; as in any relationship built to last. Together; we chose to work on a dozen topics such as car fleets; energy consumption and office supplies."
ERA has a specialist in each field who can provide information and advice; as was the case for optimising electricity consumption at Rexel Belgium's 38 sites. Among these; the Marquain site (Tournai) is the largest; covering 20;000 m². Thanks to the experience and contacts of its dedicated ERA consultant; Rexel Belgium signed an agreement – which the group would not have been able to obtain on its own – for the installation of; among other things; photovoltaic panels and more efficient lighting and heating; resulting in a 40% reduction in gas and electricity consumption; despite the increase in the center's activity to 24/7.
'Being able to collaborate with people who are experts in each field of activity represents undeniable added value.'
PIERRE BENOÎT; CEO OF REXEL BENELUX/UK AND IRELAND
"Being able to collaborate with people who are experts in each field of activity represents undeniable added value;" emphasises Pierre Benoît. "Not only does the ERA consultant keep an eye on new developments and market trends; but they also challenge suppliers to come up with tailor-made solutions for each customer. And for Rexel; it's a huge advantage to work with a single point of ."
A collaboration based on trust
After analyzing; researching; selecting and implementing sustainable solutions for the company; it is time to monitor the actual savings. In addition to each consultant's expertise in their field; receiving a detailed report every three months is extremely valuable. "This allows us to see whether the expected savings have been achieved and; if necessary; to make adjustments;" says the CEO. "ERA is completely transparent and does not seek to reduce costs at any cost. For cleaning; for example; there was no better solution than the one already used at Rexel."
Today; the collaboration between the two groups is fluid and transparent. “We have been working together for seven years. Our ; for example! Our collaboration is based on trust. Without the help of the ERA teams; some of the progress we have made would not have been possible. At every stage; we are in . This difference is undeniably bearing fruit.”
The collaboration between Rexel Belgium and ERA has inspired others; as ERA has signed new contracts with other members of the Rexel group; which is present in 15 countries around the world.
