Case Study: Large Heating and Electricity Distributing Company achieves double-digit savings through low-cost country sourcing with GEP

Low-cost Country Supplies for Electricity and Heating

A large heating and electricity distribution and generation utility serving over a million customers was planning a major capital expansion and wanted to lower total delivered cost by exploring low‑cost country supply options in Asia. The effort was complicated by language and cultural barriers, suppliers with limited international contracting experience, inconsistent product quality, logistics constraints, and a highly restrictive specification that was not widely produced in the region.

GEP reviewed the utility’s specifications, leveraged its 35M‑supplier database, TCO models and industry experience, and identified qualified suppliers in China, India and parts of Southeast Asia. By shortlisting and vetting suppliers for compliance with specifications, quality, codes and after‑sales capability—and arranging potential retooling and long‑term volume guarantees—GEP helped the client secure multiple willing partners and achieve double‑digit savings across most categories.