BICS could significantly reduce electricity costs for eligible manufacturing businesses from April 2027. But accessing that support will require businesses to demonstrate that they meet the scheme criteria and the first application window is open for just two months, closing on 30 November 2026.

What should manufacturers be doing now?

Before applications open, there are some important areas to get in order.

Businesses should check whether their activities and manufactured products fall within the eligible categories, including reviewing relevant SIC and product codes.

They should also start gathering the site and energy information that may be needed to support an application, including:

• Companies House details
• MPANs and electricity supply information
• Site-level electricity consumption
• Electricity attributable to eligible manufacturing activity
• Metering and half-hourly consumption data
• Current treatment of Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and Capacity Market costs
• Details of any existing energy support arrangements

For manufacturers operating across several locations, mixed-use premises or shared electricity supplies, this could take time. Establishing how much electricity is being used for qualifying manufacturing activity at each site will be particularly important.

Don’t wait until October

The application itself is only one part of the process. Businesses first need to understand whether they are likely to qualify and make sure they can evidence their position.

Leaving this work until applications open could create unnecessary pressure on energy, finance, operations and procurement teams, particularly where information needs to be brought together from several sites or suppliers.

Core can help you prepare

If you’re unsure where to start, Core Facility Services can help you prepare for BICS.

Our Energy team can work with you to review your current electricity arrangements, identify relevant sites and supplies, examine consumption and billing data and help you understand what information you may need ahead of an application.

With potential savings of around 3.5p to 4p per kWh for eligible electricity, preparing properly could have a significant financial impact.

Applications open on 1 October. Now is the time to get BICS-ready.

Speak to the Core Energy team on 01422 880180 to start reviewing your position.

The post BICS applications open soon: are you ready? appeared first on CORE Facility.

For organisations managing multiple sites, different waste streams or significant volumes, simply arranging for waste to be collected is no longer enough. Understanding what happens to it, whether it is being managed in the most appropriate way and where opportunities exist to control costs and improve recycling is becoming increasingly important.

At Core Facility Services, we’re staying close to these developments so we can help our clients navigate the changes and make informed decisions about their waste.

What’s changing in the waste market?

There isn’t one single issue driving change. A number of pressures are coming together across the industry.

Capacity

Processing and disposal capacity is one of them. Some areas are experiencing constraints in available infrastructure, with Scotland particularly affected by limited Energy from Waste capacity. Where suitable local facilities aren’t available, waste may need to travel further for treatment, adding transport and disposal costs.

Batteries and vapes

Waste facilities are also having to consider how materials are stored and managed in response to an increasing fire risk from incorrectly disposed batteries and electrical items. Batteries contained within general waste or recycling can be damaged during collection and processing, potentially causing serious fires.

The rapid growth in battery-powered products, including vapes, has made correct segregation even more important. Facility fires don’t just create a safety issue; they can temporarily reduce available processing capacity and put further pressure on the wider waste network.

Operating costs

At the same time, operators continue to face higher labour and operating costs, including ongoing recruitment challenges for HGV drivers, plant operators and skilled engineers.

 Recycling infrastructure remains a challenge

The UK’s ability to recycle some materials remains limited. Flexible and mixed plastics, certain composite materials and textiles can be particularly challenging to process economically. This means finding the right route for different materials and separating them correctly at source is increasingly important.

For businesses, better segregation can bring significant benefits. It can reduce contamination, increase recycling opportunities and potentially move material away from more expensive general waste disposal routes.

New regulation is changing waste management

Alongside operational pressures, businesses are adapting to an evolving regulatory landscape.

Simpler Recycling has introduced new requirements around workplace waste separation in England, while Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is changing how the costs associated with packaging waste are allocated.

Digital Waste Tracking represents another significant development. The new system is being introduced across the UK to provide greater transparency over waste movements, from where waste originates to where and how it is ultimately treated.

The first mandatory requirements begin for permitted and licensed waste receiving sites in England and Wales in October 2026, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and other parts of the waste supply chain following in subsequent phases.

The aim is to improve traceability and help tackle illegal waste activity. For legitimate businesses, it also reinforces the importance of having good quality waste information and working with a responsible, transparent supply chain.

What does all this mean for businesses?

It would be easy to look at these changes purely in terms of increasing costs and additional compliance. However, a changing market is also an opportunity to look more closely at how your business waste is being managed.

• Are containers the right size for the waste being produced?
• Are they being collected at the optimum frequency?
• Could materials currently going into general waste be separated?
• Are recycling containers being contaminated?
• Could collections be consolidated?
• Are you getting the best value from recyclable materials?

How Core can help

At Core Facility Services, we manage waste through a vetted supply chain and work proactively with both clients and suppliers to understand what’s happening in the market.

As conditions change, we’re able to review services, challenge costs where appropriate and look for practical ways to minimise the impact of wider market pressures.

Our Waste team can help with:

• Reviewing your existing waste arrangements and costs
• Assessing collection frequencies and container sizes
• Identifying opportunities to improve segregation
• Reviewing general waste and recycling volumes
• Finding appropriate routes for different waste streams
• Supporting compliance with changing waste requirements
• Reviewing services across multiple sites
• Working with our supply chain to achieve the best possible value

If you’d like to review your current waste arrangements or understand how the changes in the market could affect your organisation, speak to the Core Waste team on 01422 880180.

The post Waste industry costs and compliance: Managing business waste in 2026 and into 2027 appeared first on CORE Facility.

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is designed to help reduce the energy cost burden on British manufacturing. For businesses that qualify, estimated savings could be around 3.5p to 4p per kWh.

For a manufacturer using 1GWh of eligible electricity a year, that could potentially mean a saving in the region of £35,000 to £40,000 annually.

With the first application window expected to run for just two months, now is the time for manufacturers to establish whether they could qualify and make sure they have the information they will need.

What is BICS?

BICS will provide eligible manufacturers with exemptions from three electricity policy costs:

• Renewables Obligation (RO)
• Feed-in Tariffs (FiT)
• Capacity Market (CM)

RO and FiT exemptions are due to begin in April 2027, followed by the Capacity Market exemption from October 2027.

Eligibility will depend on factors including the manufacturing activity undertaken, the products being made and how much of a site’s electricity is attributable to eligible manufacturing.

Businesses will also need to meet other criteria, including being registered with Companies House and importing more than 33MWh of electricity from the grid each year.

How much support could you receive?

BICS is expected to operate at individual site level rather than simply applying across an entire business.

Where less than 25% of a site’s electricity is used for eligible manufacturing, there will be no exemption. Sites where eligible manufacturing accounts for between 25% and 50% of electricity use could receive a 50% exemption, while those at 50% or above could qualify for the full exemption.

This makes good quality energy data particularly important for businesses with multiple locations, mixed-use sites or shared electricity supplies.

Why manufacturers need to act now

The first application window is expected to run from 1 October to 30 November 2026, with the first exemptions taking effect from April 2027.

Manufacturers should therefore start looking at their position before applications open.

That means establishing whether your manufacturing activities and products fall within the eligible categories, checking your SIC and product codes, understanding electricity consumption across individual sites and making sure you have the evidence required to support an application.

Missing the first application window could mean waiting until a future scheme year to access the support.

Where does BICS fit into your energy strategy?

For eligible manufacturers, BICS could make a considerable difference to future energy budgets. But it is only one part of the picture.

Wholesale prices, contracts, non-commodity charges, consumption, efficiency, onsite generation and future electricity requirements all contribute to the true cost of energy.

At Core Facility Services, we work with manufacturers to understand that complete picture.

Our energy specialists can help you review your current electricity arrangements and consumption data, identify the supplies and sites that may be relevant to BICS and understand the potential impact on future energy budgets.

With the first application window approaching, we recommend manufacturers start looking at BICS eligibility now rather than waiting until October.

Think your business could qualify? Talk to the Core Energy team on 01422 880180 and we can help you understand what BICS could mean for your organisation.

The post Could BICS cut your manufacturing energy costs? appeared first on CORE Facility.

That’s where vulnerability scanning comes in.

What is vulnerability scanning?

Vulnerability scanning is a proactive assessment of your IT environment that identifies known security weaknesses across your networks, systems and connected devices.

Rather than waiting for a problem to occur, vulnerability scanning highlights areas that could be exploited by attackers, allowing them to be addressed before they become a genuine security risk.

A scan can identify issues such as:

• Outdated software or operating systems
• Missing security patches
• Weak configurations
• Exposed services or ports
• Network vulnerabilities
• Known security flaws in hardware and software

The result is a clear picture of where improvements are needed and practical recommendations on how to strengthen your security.

Why does it matter?

Cyber threats continue to evolve, with attackers constantly searching for organisations that have overlooked a vulnerability.

Even businesses with firewalls, antivirus software and security policies in place can develop weaknesses over time. New software updates, additional users, remote working and changing business requirements all have the potential to introduce new risks.

Regular vulnerability scanning helps businesses:

• Identify security gaps before they’re exploited
• Reduce cyber risk
• Support compliance requirements
• Prioritise security improvements
• Increase confidence that systems remain protected

It’s a straightforward way to stay one step ahead.

Why choose Core Facility Services for IT managed services and cyber security

At Core Facility Services, we believe cyber security should be practical, proportionate and aligned to the way your business operates.

Our experienced IT team becomes an extension of your business, providing ongoing advice and support rather than simply responding when something goes wrong.

Vulnerability scanning is just one of the ways we support our clients to make sure every part of their network is protected. If you’d like to know more about how we can check your IT systems for vulnerabilities or to discuss your cyber security requirements, contact the Core IT team on 01422 880180.

The post Why Vulnerability Scanning Should Be Part of Every Cyber Security Strategy appeared first on CORE Facility.

As certified installers, we can design, install and provide ongoing support for UniFi networking, WiFi, security and access control systems. Whether it’s ensuring seamless WiFi coverage across offices, warehouses or multi-site operations, our team has the expertise to deliver reliable, scalable solutions tailored to your business.

With a highly experienced team and a commitment to professional service, Core Facility Services continues to provide trusted technology solutions that keep businesses connected, secure and operating efficiently. 

To find out more about our IT services call 01422 880180.

The post Core IT Team Achieves Registered UniFi Installer Status appeared first on CORE Facility.

The achievement reflects Core’s ongoing commitment to delivering market-leading IT support, cybersecurity, business continuity and technology solutions to clients across a wide range of sectors.

Blue Diamond status is awarded to partners who demonstrate exceptional technical expertise, customer service and a proven track record of successfully implementing and supporting Kaseya solutions. It recognises both the strength of Core’s IT Services team and its dedication to helping customers maximise the value of their technology investments.

Alec Jackson, Head of IT at Core Facility Services, said:

“Achieving Blue Diamond Partner Status is a significant milestone for our IT Services team and reflects the knowledge, expertise and commitment they bring to our customers every day. As technology and cybersecurity challenges continue to evolve, this partnership ensures we can provide businesses with access to best-in-class solutions and support.”

The accreditation further strengthens Core’s position as a trusted technology partner, helping organisations improve resilience, strengthen cybersecurity, protect critical systems and plan effectively for the future.

If you’d like to discuss threat protection, business continuity or your wider IT strategy, our experts are here to help.

Call 01422 880180 to start the conversation.

The post Core Achieves Kaseya Blue Diamond Partner Status appeared first on CORE Facility.

A Practical, Step-by-Step Approach

The most successful projects usually follow a simple process:

1. Understand Your Energy Usage

Analyse how much energy is used, when it is used and where opportunities exist.

2. Improve Efficiency

Reduce unnecessary consumption before investing in generation.

3. Explore Generation and Storage

Assess which technologies are commercially and operationally suitable.

4. Build a Long-Term Strategy

Create a plan that aligns energy decisions with wider business goals.

By taking a structured approach, businesses can maximise return on investment and ensure any solution is designed around their actual requirements.

How Core Facility Services Can Help

At Core Facility Services, we help businesses take a practical and commercially focused approach to utilities management.

Whether you are looking to reduce energy costs, improve resilience, explore on-site generation or implement battery storage, our team can provide independent advice and support at every stage.

We work with businesses to:

• Assess current energy usage
• Identify opportunities for savings and efficiency
• Evaluate generation and storage technologies
• Develop long-term energy strategies
• Support implementation and project delivery

Our focus is simple: helping businesses make informed decisions that deliver genuine operational and commercial benefits.

Start the Conversation

If you’re interested in generating your own energy, exploring battery storage or understanding what options are available for your site, we’re here to help.

Contact the Core Facility Services team on 01422 880180 to discuss your requirements and discover what’s possible.

The post Business Energy: A guide to solar PV, energy generation and storage appeared first on CORE Facility.

For some organisations, particularly those with significant water consumption, borehole water systems can provide an alternative to mains supply.

A borehole solution may help:

* Reduce long-term water costs

* Improve resilience and supply security

* Support operational continuity

* Reduce dependence on external infrastructure

Every site is different, which is why a detailed feasibility assessment is essential before progressing with any project.

Start the Conversation

If you’re interested in understanding what options are available for your site, we’re here to help.

Contact the Core Facility Services team on 01422 880180 to discuss your requirements and discover what’s possible.

The post Looking Beyond Energy: Alternative Water Solutions appeared first on CORE Facility.

Battery storage can help businesses:

• Store electricity when tariffs are lower
• Use stored energy during expensive peak periods
• Capture excess solar generation for later use
• Improve resilience during grid interruptions
• Reduce peak demand charges

Modern battery systems are highly flexible, require minimal maintenance and can be tailored to suit individual business requirements.

For many organisations, combining solar generation with battery storage delivers the greatest benefit, allowing more self-generated electricity to be used on site rather than exported.

Energy Resilience Matters More Than Ever

For some businesses, an interruption to power supply is inconvenient.

For others, it can be extremely costly.

Manufacturing facilities, logistics operations, food production businesses, data centres, healthcare providers and many other organisations rely on a consistent and reliable energy supply to operate effectively.

Generating and storing energy on-site can help reduce reliance on a single source of supply and improve operational resilience.

While complete energy independence may not always be realistic, increasing control over energy supply can significantly reduce risk and improve business continuity.

Start the Conversation

If you’re interested in generating your own energy, exploring battery storage or understanding what options are available for your site, we’re here to help.

Contact the Core Facility Services team on 01422 880180 to discuss your requirements and discover what’s possible.

The post Battery Storage: Unlocking More Value from Your Energy appeared first on CORE Facility.

We received some great feedback on our customer service recently from a client who joined Core last year following a referral from a longstanding client, which is a great reminder in itself of how important strong relationships and trust are in what we do.

We tendered and negotiated new gas and electricity contracts on their behalf. When we contacted them to confirm that their new electricity and gas suppliers had gone live smoothly and on time, they gave us some fantastic feedback about their experience of working with Core.

Feedback like this is means a lot to our team, who always have the client’s best interests as their key focus.

“It’s been a pleasure working with you on this, Core has been exceptionally supportive and sorted everything.”

At Core Facility Services, we stay with our clients every step of the way, ensuring a seamless transition, clear communication and ongoing support long after the deal is done.

It is also great to see the relationship continuing to grow, with the client now exploring water procurement as their next project with us.

This positive experience really demonstrates the difference between simply arranging energy procurement and truly managing the client relationship. Well done Team Core!

The post Why Core’s Customer Service Is Winning Clients (and Keeping Them) appeared first on CORE Facility.