Industries | Utilities Industry
Utilities Industry
Utilities companies worldwide are facing such key issues as:
- deregulation
- open markets
- customer choice
- the unbundling of large companies
- privatisation in Europe and Asia
- globalisation
While the pace of deregulation varies from region to region around the globe, emerging patterns show similar consequences everywhere. Disaggregation and new technologies are making the industry landscape more complex and more dynamic than ever.
Early preparation for market competition and best use of technology will drive success in this new and challenging environment.
In Australia and New Zealand, the utilities sector has seen a movement away from government control to a mix of privatised and corporatised entities facing competition in the energy section and a water sector that is a mix of:
- State corporatised authorities
- private-public partnerships
- private water and sewerage treatment plants
- local government water authorities/departments
The utilities industries have attracted the attention of Federal and State governments in their pursuit of deregulation, cost efficiency and public-sector reform. This has created avenues for private sector participation, consultants and privatisation. Such trends are not unique to Australia and New Zealand but follow a worldwide trend of reform of utilities.
Market research has become increasingly important for utility companies. Many regulatory and marketplace forces affect our clients:
- deregulation and competition;
- national and local energy policies;
- regulators and legislators with their own agendas;
- consumers who demand superior service at a competitive price.
In the last few years we have managed a number of market research projects for electricity and water suppliers. Our studies, customised to support our clients' marketing activities, include:
- brand development,
- performance tracking,
- new product development,
- market segmentation,
- focus groups,
- depth interviews
- quantitative studies looking into subjects as varied as customer satisfaction surveys, advertisement awareness research.
Colmar Brunton's experience conducting a substantial proportion of projects aimed at regional populations, provides unique expertise to utility organisations.
We conduct an extensive number of projects for clients requiring regional expertise. We have sufficient staff and resources available to be able to complete large-scale projects in regional areas, including our mobile research unit for ultra mobility.
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