Co-operative collaboration delivers £30 million annual savings across Independent Societies

Independent co-operative societies across the UK are now saving more than £30 million every year through a collaborative procurement and energy management programme, delivering nearly £198 million of jointly managed contracts over the past three years.

Led by the OurCoop Procurement Team, the consortium of Independent Society Members (ISMs) has reached its third anniversary by achieving a milestone that demonstrates the commercial power of co-operatives working together.

Businesses continue to face inflationary pressures, volatile energy markets and rising operational costs, so participating societies have combined their expertise, scale and buying power to reduce costs, manage risk and improve sustainability.

The programme has brought together co-operatives of all sizes from across the UK to collaborate on a series of strategic initiatives, including:

• A Wind Power Purchase Agreement involving five co-operative societies
• Standardisation of refrigeration systems across six societies
• Collaboration on strategic retail technology platforms
• Joint facilities management projects
• Energy management programmes
• Solar energy solutions
• Shared procurement agreements across a wide range of operational categories

The programme has involved societies from across the ISM network, including OurCoop, Scotmid Co-op, Heart of England Co-op, Tamworth Co-op, Radstock Co-op and Channel Islands Co-op, with each society contributing expertise and leadership across different projects.

Paul Lockwood, Head of Procurement and Net Zero at OurCoop, said: "This milestone demonstrates what can be achieved when co-operatives choose to work together. Over the last three years, colleagues from across the ISM network have shared expertise, challenged traditional approaches and combined their collective scale to deliver significant value for their societies and members.

"These savings are helping co-operatives strengthen their businesses, invest in their communities and build greater resilience for the future. Whether large or small, every participating society has played a role in making this programme a success. The results show that by working together we can achieve outcomes that would be difficult to deliver alone."

The success of the programme has been driven by close collaboration between procurement, energy, property, IT, facilities and operational specialists from across the participating societies, supported by the sponsorship and commitment of ISM chief executives.

As co-operatives celebrate Co-op Fortnight (22nd June – 5th July) and this year's theme, "Co-operate and We Can Change the World," the programme demonstrates how co-operative values can deliver tangible commercial, environmental and social benefits.

More than a financial milestone, the £30 million annual saving is proof of what happens when co-operatives put Principle 6: Co-operation Among Co-operatives, into practice. It’s proof that co-operation remains a competitive advantage - and that in a rapidly changing world, co-operatives are stronger together.