Bel Leerdammer and Cofely close innovative partnership worth EUR 10 million
Bunnik. Cofely and Bel Leerdammer – a subsidiary of the French Bel Group – have closed an innovative 15-year partnership for the operation of all utilities and location-bound installations. Under this agreement, Bel Leerdammer transfers the functionality and availability of these installations in their entirety to Cofely, ensuring agreed-upon production process input conditions. The objective is to generate substantial energy reduction. The total value of the contract is worth EUR 10 million.
Bel Leerdammer produces, develops and packages high-quality brand cheeses and cheese products. The company has an innovation centre in Schoonrewoerd and production locations in Schoonrewoerd, Dalfsen and Wageningen. At the Schoonrewoerd location, Cofely will henceforth bear responsibility for the installations supporting the production process, such as the power supply, heat, refrigeration, compressed air, ice water, the emergency power supply, in addition to the location-bound installations. This allows Cofely to guarantee the installation output, the availability and the lifespan of systems, essential components for the operational management.
Efficient and energy efficiency solutions
In order to comply with food safety considerations, the installations need to satisfy stringent requirements. Cofely conducts risk analyses to minimise the risk of technical malfunctions or disruptions. Sustainability also plays an important role in this agreement. Cofely ensures that the most efficient and environmentally friendly solutions are adopted in the energy management process. Power meters will be fitted and energy consumption will be permanently read out at each installation. Furthermore, efficient maintenance means that the installations will run with increased energy efficiency. Every year, a balance will be made of the installations’ energy consumption.
Managing risks
‘The mission of Bel Leerdammer is to put high-quality brand name cheeses on the market in a sustainable and innovative manner. We support Bel Leerdammer in the realisation of their objectives through the implementation of technological solutions that are not only efficient, but also innovative. At the end of the contract, Cofely will even ensure that the technical condition of the installations is at least the same level as at the start of the contract period,’ explains Wilfred Derksen, Commercial Director of Cofely Services. ‘We take care of Bel Leerdammer, by taking over business processes at costs that can be budgeted, with an agreed-upon installation output. By optimising the performance of installations, Bel Leerdammer is free to concentrate on its core activities. This way, we ensure that it can do business in a sustainable manner at minimal costs, without a loss of functionality. Increasingly, we are operating as a system operator in the market. It is precisely this kind of service that makes our company so unique, because we assume responsibility and provide an ultra-broad range of services. Furthermore, Cofely has over 15 years of experience in this field and we are happy to think along with the client before offering solutions.’
‘With this transfer to Cofely of the total management of our utility facilities, including the location-bound installations, we envisioned the opportunity to – in close collaboration with a specialist in this area – continue to steer intelligently and responsibly in terms of sustainability in an area where we do not necessarily have a wealth of expertise. As business partners, you can keep each other’s eyes on the ball, while at the same time the right decisions can be made for the long term,’ says Mark Tettelaar, Bel Leerdammer’s Director of Operations. ‘The term of 15 years provides the stability and guarantee required to optimally exploit our partnership.’
Cofely, a GDF SUEZ Company
Cofely is part of GDF SUEZ Energy Services, the European leader in multitechnical services. GDF SUEZ Energy Services offers its customers in industry, services, and infrastructures made-to-measure solutions, whether in the fields of engineering, installations or energy services.
GDF SUEZ Energy Services employs 80,000 people and achieved revenues of € 14 billion in 2008.
GDF SUEZ Energy Services is a business line of GDF SUEZ, one of the leading energy providers in the world.
Press Contact:
Ingrid Clauwaert, Manager Public Relations
Cofely Nederland NV
Kosterijland 50, 3981 AJ Bunnik; Postbus 210, 3980 CE Bunnik
Tel: 00 31 30 656 94 59; fax: 030 656 94 15
e-mail: ingrid.clauwaert(at)cofely-gdfsuez.nl
