DeFabrique: Smart purchasing with the right timing

How a group of hospitality and leisure locations saved 40% on energy in this case and didn’t feel the crisis

Energy Market

DeFabrique Holding has relied on COMCAM’s knowledge and experience for more than a decade. From smart strategies and innovative solutions, to advice on sustainable measures: DeFabrique makes well-considered choices at the right time. In this way, the organization continues to benefit from competitive prices, even amid rising energy prices and stricter regulations. This not only makes DeFabrique a forerunner in the field of energy management, but it also contributes to a sustainable future.

DeFabrique Holding is anything but an ordinary company. Under its umbrella are, among others, the event location DeFabrique in Utrecht, a karting track and a climbing park in Vleuten. Also Twenthe Airport is a former military airbase transformed into a sustainable event venue with over 60 versatile spaces, belongs to the Holding. The location perfectly aligns with DeFabrique Holding’s strategy of organizing energy smartly and using space innovatively.

From lighting to heat strategy, everything is under control

The transition to smart, strategic energy management started with a pragmatic approach: step by step, DeFabrique made spaces more efficient with LED lighting.

Thanks to a well-considered payback period and focus on energy optimization, energy management remained a strategic part of business operations. In those ten years, far-reaching measures have been taken, all going beyond what government legislation requires.

An important starting point for DeFabrique is that their spaces are not used continuously. There are more than 100 events per year, but many halls stand empty in between.

Therefore, DeFabrique (on the advice of COMCAM ) consciously chooses to heat spaces quickly and powerfully with large heaters at the right moment, instead of unnecessarily heating constantly. An approach that saves considerably on costs and perfectly fits COMCAM’s vision on efficient energy use.

Unburdening from A to Z for the right price

For Allart van Eck , owner of DeFabrique, working together with COMCAM mainly means: being completely unburdened.

“We don’t want to deal with energy management every day. And thanks to COMCAM, we don’t have to.” – Allart van Eck, Owner of DeFabrique

“One email to COMCAM with the address of a new location is enough and they arrange all connections, deliveries, and settings. Large connections, purchase of gas and electricity, connecting or disconnecting buildings when selling or renting: everything is purchased for a sharp price.”

For DeFabrique, over the past ten years this amounted to an average saving of about 40%, specific to this situation and purchasing profile.

Trust from day one

DeFabrique has been working with COMCAM for more than ten years. What started with a good plan and a strong personal click has grown into a partnership based on mutual trust. Even when prices were not yet fixed, DeFabrique dared to take the step.

“After three months we already saw that the proposal they made worked much better than anything we had tried before. By now we even refer tenants to them.”

One of the biggest advantages of COMCAM’s Energy Portfolio Management (EPM®) is proactive energy purchasing. When gas prices started to rise, DeFabrique already had its purchasing well arranged through COMCAM : gas fixed for three years at 18 cents per cubic meter, in this case far below the later market price of 45 cents.

“We didn’t feel anything from the energy crisis and price increases. COMCAM has more knowledge and insight into the market than we as an external party could ever have. And that pays off.”

There are also plans ready for the future, think of heat pumps and battery packs to deal even more efficiently with peak consumption and possible grid congestion. “We have fixed connections that are more than sufficient, but if the market changes, we want to be prepared. With COMCAM, we can rely on that.”

The difference: specialists who unburden

What DeFabrique appreciates most about COMCAM is their independence, specialist knowledge, and willingness to always think along. From energy purchasing to advice when buying or selling business premises: COMCAM delivers tailor-made solutions, thinks ahead, and takes care off your hands.

“They are truly specialized,” says Allart. “COMCAM adds value, does what they promise, and the contact is always pleasant. I would recommend them without any doubt.”