A firework firm that distributes across the UK from its 44-acre Huddersfield headquarters has managed to cut its energy spending in half in the run-up to its busiest season.

Standard Fireworks, which has operated from its Crosland Hill site for more than 100 years and is now part of the international Black Cat Firework brand, joined forces with Elland-based Orchard Energy to improve efficiency at the historic site.

John Williams, operations manager at Black Cat Fireworks, said: “We have grown significantly over the years and now cater for a year-round market including weddings, events and Bonfire Night celebrations with October being our key month for distribution.

“All UK sales, marketing, warehousing and distribution for both Black Cat Fireworks and Standard Firework brands operate from Huddersfield, but the site’s age means it hasn’t been easy to be energy efficient. Orchard has helped us tackle that issue and reduce our energy spending by 50%.”

Nohman Ali, of Orchard Energy, said the site’s energy infrastructure had been built to cope with high energy demands.

“The site was originally built as a manufacturing facility and would have used a lot of energy, but the modern business that exists here today doesn’t have the same needs,” he said.

“By downgrading the metering, introducing a strategy for forward purchasing and suggesting operational changes to reduce consumption we have managed to secure significant cost savings.

“As the company enters its busiest time of year with Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year, these efficiency measures couldn’t have been better timed.”