Firms are being offered the chance to cut the cost of buying business supplies and their utility bills by a new Bradford-based operation.

Synergy Procurement Solutions was launched eight weeks ago by directors Nigel Pickles and Darren Craven to help companies cut costs by an average of 24 per cent.

Nigel said: “We recognised that the current climate was crying out for a mechanism for companies to save money on utilities, telephones, office products and insurance.”

Mr Pickles, of Oakworth, teamed up with Mr Craven after selling his buy-to-let property business to launch Synergy at the Bradford Chamber business park in Laisterdyke. The business also employs three analysts and back office staff.

Mr Craven, from Cleckheaton, had been running a procurement agency for six years, so the new venture started with a portfolio of clients. The target is to achieve a turnover of £1.5m in the first year.

Mr Pickles said: “We set out with the intention of using our backgrounds to provide something different. Many procurement operations are run as franchises, often taking around 50 per cent of any savings achieved as their income.

“We offer clients a range of packages based on clear fees.

“Our expertise through negotiating contracts and agreements on a daily basis and the buying power and leverage we bring to the table ensure we get the best possible deals. .

“Our providers see Synergy as one client, so our clients can ‘piggy-back’ onto our negotiated rates that would normally be unavailable to them.”

Synergy works for a wide range of businesses, including a bakery chain, a frozen food maker and a leading men’s clothing retailer. as well as an increasing number of schools.

Nigel said: “We are focusing our growth within Yorkshire and joined Bradford Chamber of Commerce to enable us to get to know more local businesses.”