Utility Warehouse Takes a Different Approach to Utilities
Utility Warehouse (UW) is the only provider of multiple home services in the UK. Established to help people save while reducing time spent on coordinating utilities bills, UW now serves over 650,000 customers.
Overview
Utility Warehouse was founded in 2002 by Telecom Plus PLC. The company offers multiple home services bundled into one monthly bill to relieve customers of the hassle and time taken up by coordinating bills from multiple companies.
UW offers energy, broadband, mobile and home telephone services, and home insurance options. UW customers can also sign up for the company’s cashback card, which can help people earn up to 7% cashback with participating retailers. When customers bundle their services, they can save – the more they bundle, the more savings they get.
The Partner Programme
Utility Warehouse does not only stand out for its unique service offerings, but for its distinct advertising strategy. Forgoing TV, print, radio, other other forms of advertising, UW spreads the word through word-of-mouth from its Partner network. UW Partners are independent distributors who earn a commission for every new customer who signs up for UW’s services. In charge of their own schedule and work volume, Partners work for themselves while receiving support from UW in the form of marketing materials, training, and networking opportunities. Currently, there are 45,000 UW Partners.
Awards and Recognition
In 2020, UW won the Utilities Brand of the Year Award from Which?, an independent organisation that provides consumers with impartial, informative reviews on a wide variety of businesses. The award takes into account service and product offerings, customer satisfaction, value and savings, and several other factors that come together to form a comprehensive overview of the company. The Brand of the Year Award is meant to recognise businesses that do not only do well, but go above and beyond for their customers. Utility Warehouse won this award for the first time in 2018.
In addition to receiving the 2020 Which? Utilities Brand of the Year Award, The company has also received awards from Uswitch, Moneywise, Defaqto, Moneyfacts, and the European Business Awards.
The UW Foundation
Utility Warehouse founded The UW Foundation in 2020. A nonprofit organisation created to expand Utility Warehouse’s ability to give back, The UW Foundation is currently working to support several causes. It has partnered with Carbon Forest to plant 100,000 native trees in the UK by the end of March 2021. In addition, The UW Foundation is supporting Ocean Generation in its efforts to decrease plastic and pollution levels in oceans by matching donations and funds raised by UW employees and Partners. The UW Foundation will also match donations and funds raised for local disadvantaged communities, and is working to support the NHS in its fight against COVID-19.
