The Department of Energy and Climate Change has published consultation documents for the introduction of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. The new proposals all but rule out the inclusion of B30K Bioheating Oil, stating that “we do not believe that partially renewable solutions such as the B30K blend have a sufficient role to play in the transformation of the domestic heating sector to subsidise them through the RHI.”
However, despite the likely exclusion of biofuels in the domestic RHI, there are suggestions that they will be an option for larger commercialproperties, with a proposed tariff of 4.1p/kWh – the same rate as for approved, solid biomass fuels.
Although the expected timeframe for its introduction remains unchanged (summer 2013), proposed levels of financial support for included technologies are now known.
Key proposals include:
(L-R) Kevin Knight, Andy Tout, Jamie Starr, Becky Venton, Kevin McCoy and Chris Allen
Tincknell Fuels continues to operate separately as GB Oils acquires Tincknell Lubricants on 31st August.
The lubricants business will trade as Emo Oil, an authorised Shell lubricants distributor, supplying products to commercial, agricultural and domestic customers across the south west of England.
As well as consolidating its existing customer relationships in the region, the company will expand its service across all sectors, including industrial, agricultural, aviation and automotive.
As part of the acquisition, seven former Tincknell Lubricants’ employees will join the business, all to be based on the Dawlish Road in Exeter. Kevin Knight and Jamie Starr will be business development managers, Rebekah Venton an account manager, Andy Tout a depot supervisor, whilst Chris Sampson will be a yardman and Kevin McCoy and Chris Allen will be employed as drivers.
Ross Buckland, head of lubricants at GB Oils, commented: “This acquisition will further strengthen our position in the south west of England; increasing our storage and distribution infrastructure and enhancing our ability to attract and serve existing and new customers throughout the market. We welcome the Tincknell Lubricants team to the GB Oils family and look forward to building close working relationships in the months ahead.”
A new challenge for Chris
Chris Dalton, formerly of Heil Trailer International and Reynolds Logistics has established a new company – Lateu Logistics.
Having worked in the industry for many years, managing director, Chris has experienced first hand, numerous changes within the logistics chain. He believes that as a result of rising fuel costs and banks holding back credit, there is a considerable case for fuel and lubricant distributors/suppliers to dispose of their fleets entirely, freeing cash to build their business.
Chris has taken the opportunity to fulfil a growing need for a specialist, non-asset based company in offering a flexible logistics management service, which works as an extension to an oil company/wholesaler or distributor.
Located in Albrighton near Telford, Lateu can manage in-house fleets or utilise approved sub-contractors (pre vetted to meet the high standards of the industry). In addition to logistics management the company can set up and operate all back office services, telemetry, customer care service and order taking. “As the retail sector changes and ex rack becomes a growing part of the business, the asset based logistics industry needs to reinvent itself to meet what is a logistical nightmare of multiple pick up points, split loads and relocated vehicles,” explains Chris.
“I’ve identified a need for an independent logistics company to help oil companies, wholesalers and distributors to manage their distribution requirements more cost effectively by taking a critical look at in house fleets, logistics management and outsourced contracts.
“There’s a growing case to consider 4PL managed through an experienced logistics team – a procurer of effective logistics services which integrates internal and external resources into a logistics model. The company acts as an extension to organisations and manages the supply chain within tight KPI measurements, regularly testing the market for newer, better or more cost effective solutions. Asset based logistics companies are just not independent or flexible enough to do this well and in house logistics departments are often under staffed or lacking experience. Lateu Logistics integrates into the customer’s business and can offer experience and total transparency without the in-house cost, skills need and risk associated with employing people.”
Former Heil operations director, Wendy Dalton joins Chris on the board as Lateu’s operations director.info@lateulogistics.com
Mick (second from left), joins colleagues at Suckling’s Race Day in June
Mick Smith, transport manager, Suckling Transport reports from the Freight Transport Association’s recent dangerous goods seminar.ADR photo cards
Fraser Talbot from the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) explained pending changes to ADR certificates. Certificates will now be issued by the SQA on behalf of the Department for Transport instead of the DVLA. Although the format will change from paper to a photo card, the good news is that there will be no additional cost. Drivers will simply have to produce a passport-style photo when attending a refresher course. It is expected that this will take place in October.Fire extinguisher failures
Terry Laker of the Health and Safety Executive spoke about the carriage of dangerous goods and road enforcement. He was particularly concerned that historically, hauliers are continuing to make the same mistakes and highlighted the high percentage of fire extinguisher failures.Changes to OCRS
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency’s (VOSA) Matt Barker was on hand to talk about recent changes to the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system. Key changes include:-
Targeting priorities
Points
OCRS bands
Timescales of point allocation for prosecution
Removal of predictive scoring
Weighting factor according to age of event
Larger data sets calculated more frequently
Straight-to-red for prosecutions and most serious infringement
New events included
Matt explained that the changes have been designed to help examiners to target non-compliant hauliers. www.vosa.gov.ukwww.fta.co.uk
Stoddards shows off its new RTN tanker with Alpeco equipment
Stoddards has taken delivery of a brand new baby tanker from Road Tankers Northern.
The tanker is fully equipped with Alpeco bottom loading and vapour recovery equipment and the MF400 electronic meter system with metered uplift facility.
Judith Stoddard explained: “With so many of our drops being to rural villages, homes and farms we needed a small truck to cope with difficult access such as narrow gates and entrances. This was the prime motivating factor in going for a small truck just to carry on servicing those customers.
“My father used to buy trucks from RTN and we have continued to buy from them as they are knowledgeable about our business and offer an excellent product. The drivers like the Alpeco meters and are familiar with them and particularly like the remote control feature. I would think it fair to say that all the trucks we have in the future will be fitted with this facility.”
Clive Felton, RTN’s sales manager added. “We’ve dealt with Stoddards since the 1990s and have been their preferred supplier of fuel delivery vehicles ever since. The latest vehicle is 3-compartment, 8600 litre, aluminium, fully ADR and petroleum regulations compliant. The vehicle has been built on a DAF LF45 210 chassis.”http://www.stoddards.co.uk/
The Seal Sands terminal, located at the mouth of the River Tees
Harvest Energy is expanding its presence in the UK road fuels market through its partnership with Simon Storage.
Less than three years ago Harvest Energy began storing fuels at Simon’s Seal Sands terminal. Now it utilises a substantial proportion of the terminal’s fuels storage.
As well as fuel storage, Simon provides Harvest Energy with specialist biofuels blending to help the company meet the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation. A bioethanol in-line injection system is provided for the company’s unleaded and super unleaded gasoline products, while diesel and FAME are blended in-tank.
Harvest Energy took over a biodiesel production plant at Seal Sands two years ago. Simon stores and handles raw materials for the plant, including used cooking oil. FAME produced by the plant is transferred by pipeline from the plant into the terminal for use in Harvest Energy’s biodiesel blending operations or for export to out-buyers.
Simon Davis, head of sales and logistics, Harvest Energy, believes reliable supply partners like Simon Storage are vital. “Simon’s expertise in storage and handling helps us to provide products that are competitively priced, supplied and delivered with a customer-focus. The Seal Sands terminal plays a critical role in Harvest Energy’s UK-based storage and supply network and we look forward to developing new market opportunities with Simon’s support.”
Harvest Energy has recently announced that Trafigura has invested in the company, providing a long term financing platform and enabling future growth in the UK market.www.SimonStorage.comwww.harvestenergy.co.uk
Emco Wheaton has been named as a preferred supplier to Vopak.
Under the terms of the three year partnership agreement, Emco Wheaton will supply, install and maintain marine loading arms for Vopak. The partnership, which has a further two year option, also covers the erection and servicing of marine loading arms, designed to ensure the safe loading and unloading of gas, oil and other fluids from super tankers to storage facilities on shore.
Emco Wheaton designs and manufactures a wide range of highly engineered marine loading arms to load and unload almost any liquid and compressed gas product from river barges, ships and ocean going super tankers. Each loading arm incorporates advanced safety features combined with pantograph balanced mechanical link technology, to provide stability and strength.
www.emcowheaton.com
Hertel staff celebrate six years of safety
Six years of safe working have been achieved by maintenance and services provider, Hertel, at the Phillips 66 oil refinery in Humberside.
The period spans a total of 823,857 hours without an Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) recordable incident. A ceremony was held onsite to mark the occasion. The company’s UK operations director, Nick Henderson, was joined by Phillips 66 senior management to present the team with certificates of achievement and a commemorative jacket.
Nick commented: “Six years without a lost-time incident is a significant landmark both for Hertel and the client. It’s a demonstration of the commitment of staff to achieving a world-class performance through safe working practices.”www.hertel.com
The National Skills Academy has launched a one day Petroleum Safety Training course.
Aimed at contractors working at top tier COMAH petroleum sites, the course has been designed to supplement existing safety passport schemes such as Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG).
The first train the trainer event is being held on 3rd October. To book a place email industry@process.nsacademy.co.uk
Latest figures released by Lewis Tankers show a much improved financial performance for 2011.
Revenues grew 53% over the previous year to £11 million, and there was a 90% improvement in gross margin, which resulted in a break even at operating profit (after interest) – a turnaround of £450,000 from 2010.
Performance is now ahead of the original five year business plan prepared by directors in 2009.
New business with Kuwait, World Fuel Services, Univar, and Brenntag, contributed to revenue growth, while the company has implemented a new operational control system, which has led to significant efficiencies. During the year the company restructured its management team to improve market focus by bringing together operational and commercial responsibilities.
As with the previous two years, business started poorly in 2012 due to unseasonal good weather, which affected volumes in fuel distribution, especially in Scotland. However, trading in other sectors has remained strong and the company expects to hit its financial targets.
Managing director Stewart MacDonald commented: “We’re pleased with our 2011 performance and are confident that we can continue to successfully develop the company. We continue to sign new business and our pipeline remains very strong for the balance of the year and beyond. With that in mind we are continuing to invest in new people and new vehicles. Staff numbers have grown from 108 to 120 and our tanker fleet has increased from 71 to 85.
“Probably the biggest challenge now facing us is to determine our geographical strategy. Increasingly, we’re producing new business opportunities outside our traditional operating locations in the north of England and Scotland, and we need to find sensible solutions – probably by small-scale acquisitions.”
http://www.lewistankers.co.uk/
