Oakland International: Case Study

Oakland International is an integrated supply chain specialist that operates across the UK and Ireland. The organisation champions sustainability and has been recognised as a leader within the food production sector.

Providing goods for Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Dunnes, Sainsburys, Boots and a range of other UK retailers, Oakland is trusted to deliver an outstanding level of care and support for its customers.

• £4.4 million annual energy saving 
• On target for 42% reduction in emissions by 2030 

The Challenge 

Oakland International prides itself operating in a sustainable manner, representing one of the core foundations of the business. However, when dealing with energy procurement, waste management and Net Zero, the business did not have a strategy, the practical means or knowledge to achieve key targets.  

Difficulty with understanding energy pricing and trends meant that the businesses was often forced to agree to long-term fixed price energy deals whenever a renewal approached, resulting in a lack of flexibility for the organisation.

With a target of running on 100% renewable energy by 2030, the organisation required support to create a path to Net Zero. 

“The energy issues was the single biggest challenge we faced and the hardest nut to crack. We had problems and high costs to deal with for years.” 

Dean Attwell, CEO, Oakland International 

The Solution 

Oakland International started working with the True team in October 2018, with the immediate requirement of tacking energy procurement costs. Over a short consultation period, the True team was able to organise and address the key challenges that the business was facing.  

Energy contacts were immediately examined and renegotiated on behalf of Oakland, as a team of energy specialists overhauled the business's energy procurement.  

Through regular consultations, the Oakland team were also provided with market intelligence to demonstrate how energy prices were impacted by environmental, legislative and geopolitical issues. This critical information played a key role in the management of Oakland’s energy procurement. 

“Whilst working with the True team, we’ve really appreciated their availability and support. Any concerns that have been raised in relation to energy fluctuation have been addressed and from a short, medium and long-term perspective, we’ve been impressed by their expertise and success.” 

Peter Vaughan, Strategic Development Manager 

Oakland International were also provided with full access to the True platform. A SaaS tool that provided the business with immediate access to its energy consumption data. With the ability to see where and how energy was used, major reductions in costs and emissions were achievable.  

“True enables businesses to assess the impact of investments in renewable energy and understand how they deliver against Net Zero goals, all while energy costs are brought down and emissions are lowered. I think this is a game changer for companies who genuinely want to develop a road map to Net Zero and save money.”   

Dean Atwell, CEO 

The Results 

Oakland International has saved over £4.4 million as a direct result of working with True, with a range of other achievements coming from the result of the partnership.  

The organisation has also planned to open a food science park, in which sustainability will be at the heart of the project.

The vision is to create a sustainable, carbon-neutral, full supply-chain International Food Science Park with food producers, retailers distributors, training facilities and research and development on one single site.

This unique proposition, underpinned with a Passivhaus approach, includes solar power and heat exchangers that support huge carbon savings and logistical efficiencies, with a calculated reduction to the carbon footprint of 85%.

“It's really valuable that True, as the first energy brokerage and sustainability partner we've ever worked with, actually came to us with an idea that married up with ours.”

“We see the partnership  as one that can add significantly more value.” 

Dean Attwell, CEO