The supply-side energy marketer Strategic Energy Ltd. (SEL) andthe demand-side management company Custom Energy LLC (CustomEnergy) announced a merger last week designed to help customerslower energy use and cost.

Each will maintain their separate identities with Custom Energyserving as the parent company, but their service will changedramatically, according to Richard Zomnir, president of SEL,”Through our alliance with Custom Energy, we can help ensurecompanies use less energy and pay less for it — a complete energymanagement solution.” Terms of the agreement were not disclosed,and no staffing changes are expected.

The major force behind the consumer demand for the merger,according to Zomnir, is energy deregulation. “Today’s smartconsumers already are cutting costs through curbing energy use, butelectricity deregulation adds even greater opportunities forsavings.”

Greg Orman, Custom Energy’s CEO, shares Zomnir’s views.”Customers can now turn to Custom and SEL to proactively manageenergy costs from start to finish.” Custom Energy, based in KansasCity, has been a purely demand side management company for morethan 20 years.It designs and installs energy efficient buildingsystems, operations and maintenance programs, and back-up powersystems for commercial and industrial customers. “Our partnershipwith SEL fills a valuable niche in our services, positioning us toprovide complete solutions for our clients long-term needs.”

SEL has specialized in marketing to commercial and industrialenergy consumers. Sources close to the merger cited similarcorporate cultures, a results-oriented outlook, objectivity, andstrong national base as reasons for the merger. No timetable wasgiven for the merger’s completion.

John Norris

©Copyright 1998 Intelligence Press, Inc. All rightsreserved. The preceding news report may not be republished orredistributed in whole or in part without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.