Two energy saving specialists have joined forces to take full advantage of the growth opportunities offered by the Green Deal.

The merger between Advent Energy Management, from Bangor, and Coles Knapp, from Prestatyn,  has been hailed as a “marriage made in business heaven”.

The firms are a perfect fit because  Advent specialised in domestic properties and Coles Knapp concentrated on the commercial sector.

The combined operation, which will trade as Advent Energy Management, employs a total of 13 people.

But with further expansion plans in the offing, they are hoping to recruit more staff soon.

Advent Energy Management was established in 2011 as a sister company to Advent Project Management.

The firm has already been identified as one that’s going places, with potential for high growth.

It has been signed up to the Welsh Government’s High Potential Starts programme.

The company  has recently signed contracts with the likes of British Gas and a host of local authorities in London.

Managing Director Ian Williams explained: “Advent Project Management was already doing renewable energy projects so there was a clear synergy  because the creation of Advent Energy Management gave us the opportunity to look at energy efficiency.

“The majority of work is for social housing and private dwellings to undertake Energy Performance Certificates and to give people advice on how to make their houses better in terms of insulation and reduce running costs.”

“The merger will ensure that we are well placed to take full advantage of the massive opportunities offered by the Green Deal.

Andrew Knapp, the Operations and Business Director, of the merged company came over from Coles Knapp.

He said: “It’s been very exciting since the idea was first proposed to me – I could see the benefits straight away.

“Stricter and stricter carbon emission reduction targets are being brought in all the time which can only lead to an ever increasing demand for services like ours. I think the future is bright. ”

It was a sentiment echoed by Tony Rose, the firm’s Business Development Manager.

Mr Rose said: “The core of our business has always been Advice Visits – advising people how to reduce their energy consumption.”

“The advisors we employ are qualified to talk to people about how they can amend behaviour and save energy.

“We also provide improvement measures like draught proofing and secondary glazing, or put equipment in to monitor the use of electricity or temperature levels.

“If the home needs something more substantial we can manage larger works like the installation of heating systems or insulation of whole blocks.”

“Another strand of our business is the production of Domestic Energy Performance Certificates which are required on the sale or change of occupancy of a home. We have provided over 30,000 EPCs in total.

“The merger means we are now able to offer Commercial Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and On Construction calculations and EPCs.”

“The merger of the two companies was inspired – the fit is perfect with a minimal overlap.  It’s a complementary set of skills and services which means we’re able to offer existing and new clients a much wider range of services.”

One of the investors involved with both Advent Project Management and Advent Energy Management is successful entrepreneur Hugh Jones Evans, from Rhoshirwaun, near Pwllheli.

Mr Evans, a Co-director and shareholder of Advent Energy Management, runs a training company, TQLS, that employs 250 people in Kuwait as well as being part owner of the Ty Newydd Hotel in Aberdaron and having an interest in Caernarfon Airport.

He said: “Things have moved quickly since we established Advent Energy Management in 2011 and today is another important milestone in the history of the company because we have exciting plans for future growth.

“The idea is that the merged company becomes greater than the sum of its parts because of the complementary aspects of our expertise. We are getting the best of both worlds now, it’s a marriage made in business heaven.

“If we are to build a sustainable future for Wales, we have to be innovative and grasp the opportunities offered by renewable energy and the Green Deal. This is a real opportunity for Wales.”

For more information ring 0844 848 2969 or go to  www.adventenergymanagement.co.uk