I ♥ Co-ops: Biomass Energy Cooperative

I ♥ co-ops shows the amazing power of co-operatives in the different trades and sectors throughout the world.

This week we talked to Biomass Energy Cooperative, a renewable energy co-operative based in Manchester, UK. 

Hello, please tell us about your co-operative?

We’re Biomass Energy Cooperative, based in Manchester and we’re made up of four members Ricky, Grant, Chris and Ben.

Biomass Energy Cooperative is part of the renewable heating industry and is focused on the supply and installation of cutting edge biomass boiler systems.

How is your community involved in your co-operative? And how is your co-operative involved in your community?

We specialise and have experience in delivering to community organisations including, but not limited to; faith community groups, amateur dramatic community groups, community sports groups and the Jewish community.

What landmark journey/s has your co-operative taken; or is about to take?

From starting up our co-operative almost eleven months ago we have gone from strength to strength. Our membership now boasts a range of professional expertise encompassing a business consultant, a sales professional, a building engineer and a professional marketer.

The co-operative has recently completed a biomass boiler installation at a Catholic Church in Merseyside with much positive feedback amongst the owners and visitors to the church. This had led to many other enquiries coming in from the farming community, sports clubs, social clubs and commercial businesses. 

Biomass Energy Cooperative has established international trade links and is now sourcing cutting edge products from outside the UK and we’re focused on developing the co-operative further so we can expand on this.

One landmark and very exciting recent development is the fact we have secured exclusive UK supplier rights to the best multi-fuel biomass boiler on the market known as ‘MultiBio.’

Even more exciting is the fact that MultiBio has recently been put through government testing for ‘clean air exemption.’ It has flown through and passed the lab testing which now means that it will be granted ‘clean air exemption’ certification. This is only granted to products with the lowest emissions so we’re extremely excited that MultiBio has achieved this status. It is the only multi-fuel biomass boiler on the market to hold this certification and demonstrates the strength of the products capabilities.

Can you define what co-operation is in one sentence?

For us it’s a transparent, ethical and fair working ethos with a mutual respect for each member’s professional expertise, combined with a democratic approach to developing the co-operative business further.

One of the principles of co-operatives; and a great way to spread the co-op message is to work with other co-operatives. Do you work with any other co-ops?

At present we’re working with The Co-operative Group in the sense that they have provided much support for us through the outstanding work conducted under The Enterprise Hub and The Co-operative Loan Fund. Without their support, the last eleven months would have been even tougher. We’re extremely pleased to say they have been invaluable and we would recommend anyone thinking of setting up a co-operative to get in touch with them.

We’re always looking to support the co-operative sector and working with co-operatives and other businesses that are appreciative of our co-operative values would be ideal, so please get in touch!

More information about Biomass Energy Cooperative:

Website: www.BiomassEnergy.Coop

Twitter: @BiomassEnergyCo

Facebook: Biomass Energy Cooperative