MP’s power summit leads to energy-efficiency boost for Kingswinford firm

A successful Kingswinford company has shown a top government Minister how a Government pilot scheme is helping to boost their energy efficiency. 

Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho joined local MP Mike Wood and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to see how Plastic Coatings are benefiting from government support to cut energy usage and reduce costs.  

Representatives of high energy-using industries from across the region also came to Kingswinford to take part in a roundtable discussion with the Minister, Mayor and MP, looking at what more can be done to help companies that require large amounts of energy.  

Plastic Coatings Ltd, which has been based on Ham Lane in Kingswinford since the 1960s, is one of the hundreds of businesses across the West Midlands to take up the offer of an energy assessment through the BEAS. 

The assessments provide recommendations for how businesses can reduce energy consumption and help bring down costs. Under the scheme, once a business has undertaken an energy assessment they can apply for grants of up to £100,000 towards investment in the energy efficiency measures proposed. 

The Business Energy Advice Service pilot scheme was established by the West Midlands Combined Authority, using funding from the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, following an earlier Business Energy Summit hosted by Dudley South MP Mike Wood in Brierley Hill in August 2022. 

Mike Wood MP said:  

“I’m really grateful to Darren and Carl for hosting these discussions at their fantastic business based here in Kingswinford.  

“Manufacturing businesses have been hit particularly hard by the global increase in the cost of energy post-Covid and the war in Ukraine. While no Government measures can completely shield businesses from this, I am pleased that the Government is working with businesses to help them bring down costs.   

“Having the Secretary of State here in Dudley South today will help shape support measures and Government policy going forward.” 

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho MP, said:  

“It was a pleasure to join Mike Wood and Andy Street at Plastic Coatings Ltd in Kingswinford.  

“Plastic Coatings Ltd provide vital services to a wide range of sectors, including energy. They are benefitting from the £24.6 million Pilot Business Energy Advice Service led by the West Midlands Combined Authority and funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.  

“This scheme helps businesses to install energy efficiency measures, both to reduce energy use and bills. I know that many businesses have been struggling with high energy prices, and it was constructive to hold a roundtable with local businesses to hear about their experiences.  

“Mike is a doughty champion for businesses in Kingswinford, and he is making sure that all Dudley South businesses have their voice is heard in Westminster.” 

Carl Allison, Director at Plastic Coatings Ltd, said:  

“It was great to have the Secretary of State, the Mayor of the West Midlands and local MP Mike Wood at Plastic Coatings Ltd, showing an interest in SME’s and the challenges that we face on our journey to net zero.  

“We were proud to show them around our coating facilities and let them see the significant investments we’ve already made in state-of-the-art, energy efficient plant and equipment, which really demonstrate Plastic Coatings Ltd’ commitment to sustainability.  

“It’s encouraging that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is supporting businesses like ours with funding for energy efficiency initiatives and it was useful for us to have the opportunity to explain why more funding is needed for SME’s if the government is serious about UK industry remaining competitive against global competition whilst achieving net zero.”