The bottled gas framework agreement provided Optima with savings of more than 20 per cent

Optima, the joint education federation in Pietarsaari, wanted to enhance its gas procurement while reducing costs. Both objectives were achieved when Optima tendered gas purchases through Hansel’s framework agreement.

Optima is a multidisciplinary upper secondary education provider whose units use gases in teaching at different locations. Previously, the units were responsible for orders independently, and there was no centralised operating model. Director of Administration and Human Resources Mathias Kass decided to re-tender the old gas contract. Since Optima already makes extensive use of Hansel’s other joint procurements, it was also a natural choice to use the bottled gas framework agreement.

“Our previous contract was quite old, so seeking cost savings was one of the key reasons for the tendering. In addition, we wanted to have a centralised contract and uniform operating methods for the entire organisation. Hansel’s framework agreement came at just the right time,” says Kass.

Significant savings through competitive tendering

The category manager of Hansel’s framework agreement for bottled gases Pasi Tainio is pleased with the outcome of the tendering process and the achieved price level. Tainio and Kass compared Optima’s previous prices with the new contract prices. In Optima’s case, the comparison was particularly easy because the supplier remained the same.

“Optima’s unit prices decreased by approximately 20 per cent compared to the previous contract. Other customers of the framework agreement have also achieved similar savings,” Tainio says.

In addition to savings, Kass also praises smooth day-to-day work:

“Through Hansel’s framework agreement, we will not only get gas but also, for example, rental bottles and other necessary services. Ordering is easy and there are many order options.”

Joint procurement makes day-to-day life easier

Kass is responsible for the joint municipal authority’s procurement and feels that Hansel’s joint procurement facilitates his own work. The expertise of Hansel’s category managers is reflected in clear product and service requirements and well-functioning contractual terms in joint procurement. The high procurement volume increases the interest of suppliers and guides the price level in a competitive direction.

“My task is to create the best possible operating conditions for the organisation. In procurement, this is usually done through joint procurement by Hansel. By using joint procurement, we can focus on our own core activities,” Kass says.

According to Kass, joint procurement also provides security during the contract period. Help is always available in the event of any questions. He also wants to encourage smaller organisations to leverage joint procurement.

“Sometimes it can feel like joint procurements are rigid or oversized for the volumes of a small organisation. However, the benefits outweigh the potential disadvantages in many ways. Alone, there is no way we would be able to achieve equally good terms and conditions or low prices,” says Kass.

 

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