The Overlooked Expense: How Utility Assessments Can Unlock Hidden Savings, Ep #41

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Most of the time on Buy the Numbers, we focus on revenue growth, margin improvement, cash flow strategy, or capital investments. But in this episode, we turn our attention to something many manufacturers rarely question: utility expenses.

Electricity. Gas. Water. Sewer. Waste.

For most of us, these bills show up, we pay them, and we move on. They’re viewed as fixed costs of doing business. But what if they’re not as fixed as we think?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lori Demeyer and Leticia Lawson from CliftonLarsonAllen to talk about utility assessments — what they are, how they work, and where manufacturers may be leaving real money on the table.

We discuss exemption certificates, rate classifications, time-of-use billing, meter configurations, and why businesses in certain states may have more opportunity than they realize. Most importantly, we walk through the process and risk profile so owners can decide if it’s worth exploring.

If you’ve ever assumed your utility bills are simply “the cost of doing business,” this conversation may change how you think about one of the most overlooked lines on your P&L.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

(0:00) Nearly $1M in utility savings: what’s possible over multiple years
(1:10) Introducing Lori Demeyer and Leticia Lawson from CLA
(3:55) What a utility assessment actually is and how it works
(7:37) Manufacturing exemptions and how they apply to utilities
(9:59) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
(10:40) Common billing errors, expired exemptions, and missed documentation
(13:53) Rate classifications, multiple meters, and usage breakdowns
(18:18) Incentives, business riders, and time-of-use rate opportunities
(22:39) Get a free report of sales opportunities in your industry from facturmfg.com/chips
(23:45) Who should consider a utility review and ideal spend profiles
(26:36) State-by-state complexity and why California and the Northeast stand out
(31:39) What the review process looks like (30–45 days, minimal client lift)
(36:19) What happens if savings are identified and how implementation works
(38:41) Real-world savings examples: six-figure and seven-figure impact
(42:13) Why utility assessments are typically low-risk and contingency-based
(45:00) How ProShop can help you achieve on-time delivery

Resources & People Mentioned

Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
Get a free report of sales opportunities in your industry from facturmfg.com/chips
How ProShop can help you achieve on-time delivery

Connect with Lori and Leticia

Connect With Buy the Numbers