Stephen Rhodes, marketing manager at Mabanaft, is one of the event’s speakers: “Economic uncertainty means that banks and credit insurers are carefully reviewing credit lines; putting pressure on the ability to maintain volumes and sustain margins. To survive in this market requires top-quality customer management and an ability to think flexibly and react quickly to emerging market conditions.”
James Spencer, managing director, Portland, will speak about pricing. “Some of the reasons for the fluctuations in price include the instability in theMiddle East, which drives prices up, working against the weakness of the eurozone, which in turn pushes prices down. Currency is also a factor, because the value of the dollar has a huge impact on prices. Combined with supply issues, particularly around diesel, and the situation makes for a volatile market and a tough challenge for distributors.”
Jeremy Hawksley, director general at OFTEC, will chair the debate on the future of the oil heating industry. “A related issue is how long liquid fuels will persist in rural locations. Currently, oil is the most economical solution for off-gas properties. However, oil could face serious competition from technologies such as wood pellet boilers, and air source heat pumps. How serious is that competition likely to be? I don’t have the answer to that, but we do know that the government is focusing on off-gas customers to push renewable technologies.