Shipley Energy Helps Wolfgang Confectioners Save $99,000 on Energy Costs

When Wolfgang Confectioners acquired the Warrell Corporation, the leadership team did what any sharp operator does after a major acquisition: they took a hard look at the numbers. Among the first line items under review was energy. The newly acquired 230,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in York, PA represented a significant new draw on electricity and natural gas, and Wolfgang wanted to know whether the contracts they had inherited were actually competitive.

They turned to Shipley Energy to find out. The result was a combined $99,000 in savings on electricity and natural gas compared to the pricing previously in place.

Contact the Commercial Team →

A Century of Confections Runs on Reliable Energy

Wolfgang Confectioners has been making and private-labeling confections for more than 100 years. In a manufacturing operation where equipment runs around the clock, electricity and natural gas are not background expenses; they are a core cost of doing business. Every kilowatt-hour and every therm flows directly into the cost of producing the candy that leaves the plant.

That makes energy procurement a strategic decision rather than an afterthought. Wolfgang trusted Shipley Energy Advisors to act as their energy consultant, scanning the market for the best opportunities to support their electricity and natural gas demand while keeping spending inside budget.

The Challenge: Inheriting Contracts in an Uncertain Market

Acquiring the Warrell Corporation meant inheriting its existing energy contracts, and Wolfgang had no clear answer to a basic but important question: were those contracts in line with the market, or were they overpaying?

Timing added pressure. Utility pricing swings with the seasons, and the longer the question went unanswered, the greater the exposure to seasonal fluctuations. Wolfgang needed both rate certainty and speed. They needed a partner who could evaluate the existing position quickly and lock in something better before market conditions shifted.

The Shipley Energy Approach

Shipley Energy Advisors works through a straightforward, four-step process built for exactly this kind of situation:

1. Understand the Needs. The team began by mapping the full scope of Wolfgang’s production energy requirements at the new facility.
2. Propose a Solution. Using the plant’s actual usage, current market factors, and Wolfgang’s budget, Shipley built a tailor-made procurement plan rather than an off-the-shelf rate.
3. Contract. The team secured seasonally appropriate contracts that stabilized pricing for the agreed-upon period, removing the guesswork from a volatile market.
4. Renew. As contracts approach renewal, Shipley re-evaluates the marketplace to keep Wolfgang in the strongest possible position going forward.

Because Shipley Energy is a supplier of electricity and natural gas, the team could go beyond advice and actually purchase and supply these products directly, while helping manage capacity costs along the way.

Contact the Commercial Team →

The Results: $99,000 in Combined Savings

The numbers told the story. After reviewing Wolfgang’s position and securing seasonally appropriate contracts for the new location, Shipley Energy delivered:

• 15.1% savings on electricity, equal to $82,000 versus the utility
• 16.2% savings on natural gas, equal to $17,000 versus the utility

Together, that adds up to $99,000 in savings, achieved without disrupting a single shift on the production floor.

More Than Electricity and Natural Gas

For food and co-manufacturers, Shipley Energy’s value extends past power and gas. As a fuel supplier, Shipley can also keep an operation running with backup fuels such as diesel for emergency power and propane for forklifts, delivered reliably and on schedule. And through its consulting services, Shipley Energy Advisors supports broader energy management studies and planning for new locations, helping manufacturers audit, hedge, and manage utility costs and the risk that comes with them.

For a business like Wolfgang Confectioners, that combination of procurement expertise and on-the-ground fuel delivery means one trusted partner across the full energy picture.

Ready to Find Your Savings?

The Wolfgang Confectioners story is a reminder that inherited contracts and assumed rates are worth a second look, especially after a major business change. If your operation depends on electricity, natural gas, or fuel to keep running, the Shipley Energy team is ready to help you find savings and certainty.

Contact Shipley Energy today at 717-771-0772 or [email protected], or visit ShipleyEnergy.com/Commercial.

Contact the Commercial Team →