In this week's issue...
A couple of cost savings opportunities
1. Shop your energy before winter hits
Did you know that energy rates fluctuate constantly throughout the year? Much like the stock market, energy prices are driven by supply and demand… and the weather plays a big role ❄️
During the fall and spring (aka "shoulder seasons") the weather is mild, it’s the perfect time to review your energy plan. Here is a quick look at how the seasonal cycle works:
Summer & winter peaks: Everyone is running their air conditioning, causing electricity demand (and prices) to surge OR the cold sets in, and heating systems create massive demand for natural gas and electricity, driving prices back up
The Fall & Spring dips: During these mild months, we open our windows instead of touching the thermostat. Because overall demand drops, energy suppliers often lower their rates to attract customers
What this means for you right now:
With winter just around the corner, we are in a brief window where energy rates are still relatively stable. Locking in a fixed rate during this fall "shoulder season" protects you from the inevitable price spikes when the freezing weather hits
If you're curious about where the market is right now, we can help. We're happy to gather competing terms from suppliers so you can see what’s out there
2. Solar... without the upfront cost
We've been learning a lot more about solar lately
I recently spoke with a plastics manufacturer that dove into a solar project about 10 years ago. Their breakeven on that investment? 22 years. That's a long wait for a payback
Things look different now. ERC partners with providers that offer $0 down arrangements. That means solar can lower your electric bill and become a secondary revenue inflow... with no cost
Curious if it fits your building? I'm happy to connect you. Book a time here
Events 🗓️ Cost reduction panel recap + MANJ Nov 12 + Bring Your Bill round 3
Coming up: a panel on cost reduction
On Monday I joined Rich Bello and Warren Zysman for a Lunch-N-Learn panel on expense reduction
A few takeaways:
$1 saved equals $10 sold: Reducing overhead is the fastest lever to boost profitability. Saving $10,000 drops 100% to the bottom line, matching the profit impact of generating $100,000+ in top-line revenue at a 10% margin
Statements hide savings through aggregation: Looking only at the bottom-line total on an invoice conceals negotiable fees. Reviewing 12 months of detailed PDF statements lets you unbundle fixed charges from shoppable components. such as separating energy supply from delivery, isolating sewer charges, or unbundling merchant processor markups from fixed interchange fees
Vendor autopilot quietly bleeds cash flow: Loyalty is rarely rewarded on an invoice; long-standing vendor contracts and auto-renewals almost always reprice upward
MANJ Fall Event, Nov 12
One more reminder... the Manufacturing Alliance New Jersey (MANJ) Fall Event is next week. You'll hear from guest presenters, meet advocacy groups, and network with owners facing the same cost and workforce pressure
WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2026 · 5:30–7:30 PM
WHERE: Venture X Parsippany · 8 Campus Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054
ERC is proud to be a Sponsor 😊
New video... How ERC Cuts Your Expenses with NO COST or RISK
We put together a short video on how ERC works and why there's no cost or risk to you:
If it's helpful, please share it with a business owner or CFO who could use it!
Onwards and Upwards,
Joe Lapscher
Partner, ERC
Why you're getting this:
You're receiving this because we've met at a networking event, worked together, or signed up for my newsletter online, which I really appreciate.
I send 2-4 emails a month with practical thoughts on expense reduction, plus the occasional heads-up on something like the MANJ event. I respect your time and inbox.
