IFRA, Hucks Join Forces to Save Stores Energy Costs

SPRINGFIELD -- Convenience stores around Illinois will soon see the benefits of a new statewide partnership every time they turn on the lights.

The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association has announced a new partnership with Hucks stores to purchase energy in bulk and save all participating stores money on their electricity prices in the process. Read more about the new agreement here:

Martin and Bayley, corporate owners of the HUCKS brand of convenience stores has agreed to join the Illinois Fuel & Retailers Association’s (IFRA) Energy Buying Group as the anchor member, helping deliver bulk energy rate negotiating opportunities and energy management options to other IFRA members.

IFRA’s managing member of the Energy Buying Group is Mt. Vernon, IL based AGE (Affordable Gas + Electric, LLC). In addition to AGE’s management of IFRA’s Energy Buying Group, AGE manages over 18 Chamber of Commerce Energy Buying Groups as well as the Illinois Oil & Gas Association (IOGA).

Jeff Haarmann, AGE’s Managing Partner, said, “With Martin & Bayley joining the IFRA’s Energy Buying Group, suppliers serving both ComEd and Ameren utility areas are reaching out to compete to serve this entire group of members. This allows us great flexibility in negotiating all types of rates, products and services for IFRA members, while allowing each member to maintain its own strategies.”

Haarmann explains that some members are smaller volume users, comprised of only one or a few locations. Those members will benefit from simple bulk rate negotiations by being a part of the aggregate. Larger volume users, those with ten, twenty or even hundreds of locations will benefit from more complex energy strategy management opportunities, including energy efficiency and solar technology, while still increasing overall buying power through the aggregate negotiations.

“Martin and Bayley’s HUCKS brand is very well known and respected in the industry. Having them as an anchor to our IFRA Energy Buying Group has our suppliers taking notice,” added Haarmann.

Josh Sharp, CEO of the IFRA, said “Our energy buying group is a strategic, value added member benefit that enhances our overall offerings. Our members compete daily for their share of revenue, but the expense side is one item where members can collectively join, through our Association, for the benefit of all.”

“We are extremely supportive of the IFRA’s efforts at the Association level. Our involvement hopefully encourages others to join together to mitigate strategic expenses. We are anticipating 20-25% savings annually over the next three years of our new agreement compared to the utility’s default offerings,” Kevin Knapp, CFO of Martin & Bayley, commented.

For more information regarding the IFRA’s Energy Buying Group, members can visit www.fuelingillinois.com and click on the AGE logo.

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