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Crossing the finishing line

Adler and Allan was tasked to run a robust and secure supply chain for fuel to the Games’ construction phase site contractors
Adler and Allan was tasked to run a robust and secure supply chain for fuel to the Games’ construction phase site contractors
Below features writer Liz Boardman takes a closer look at how some of the fuel distribution industry’s key players helped to make London 2012 such a huge success
Years in the making
In 2008 Adler & Allan (A&A) won what was to become one of the company’s highest profile contracts to date, right on the doorstep of its Stratford depot. Awarded by the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) A&A was tasked to run a robust and secure supply chain for fuel to the Games’ construction phase site contractors.
“Our site fuel station was designed and implemented inhouse by an experienced team of fuel installation and supply personnel, expert in providing facilities and product to precise, measurable service delivery criteria, on an unusual and potentially hazardous site surrounded by waterways,” said A&A’s group marketing manager, Alan Scrafton.
The company’s project manager, Colin Mitchell and his team were responsible for designing and building an efficient, removable fuel station close to the Northern Plaza, completing it well within the three month deadline given by the ODA. The station was later overlaid by hockey pitches where Team GB women won bronze.
Site eviction
A&A Fuel Services under Dave Whiskerd and Mike Grayton managed the contract to supply over 25 million litres of fuel and associated products from the site, operating and manning the fuel station with compliant and trained staff to the high standards of safety and quality demanded by the ODA.
“The site provided a simple to use, stable retail style fuel service with vehicle recognition capability for onsite customer collections, and also a base for two rigid fuel tankers making over 10,000 bulk deliveries all over the Olympic Park,” Alan told FON. Supervised by Maggie Lyons, the station became the company’s on-site base for the next three years, with fuel being bridged in from new Barking premises following eviction from its Stratford site to make way for the construction of a coach parking zone for the Games.
“Security measures were high on the agenda, so operations had to be carried out under stringent security procedures and to specific timed delivery schedules. Most of the bulk tanker movements to replenish the company’s onsite storage facilities were carried out at night to minimise traffic issues,” explained Alan.
As the construction phase approached completion at the end of 2011, A&A was awarded the contract to supply on behalf of BP, all the fuel for the 600 plus generators providing main line and back-up power to over 40 Olympic venues around the country. This involved employing 12 rigid tankers on a 24/7 basis from May to September 2012, initially fuelling the generators and supporting bulk storage tanks, and then progressively replenishing through a robust testing phase to round the clock operations at the peak of the Games themselves. Throughout the project the company was required to operate to the highest HSE and security requirements and successfully completed over 2000 individual deliveries.
“Staff screening ramped up tenfold three months prior to the competitions and at its peak we had over 40 members of staff involved directly or indirectly working on the project,” added Alan
“Ambush marketing clauses in the ODA’s contracts made it impossible for us to publicise any involvement in the Games, but we did benefit from being onsite with spin-off business in spill response, barge booming for stored fuel in the canal; hazardous waste and other industrial services throughout a hugely successful project. However, just recently there has been a relaxation of this so that British companies can reference their contribution and we have applied for a licensed agreement for London 2012 Supplier Recognition with the British Olympic Association.
A proud supplier
After supplying the Olympic rowing test events in 2011 WP Group was awarded the prestigious contract to install, supply and maintain the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) sport and logistic fuel for over 40 venues, including Olympic Park, Excel, O2, Eton Dorney, Weymouth and numerous football stadiums.
Darren Borras, the company’s commercial director led the project from the test events and bidding process. “The WP team continues to impress me with its desire and ability to deliver the most professional service in the toughest of conditions, closest scrutiny and against the tightest timelines. The Olympics was a true test for our expanding organisation and one for which I am proud to award the team a gold medal!”

6 min read
On site at the Olympic stadium – the WP Group provided fuel for over 40 venues
On site at the Olympic stadium – the WP Group provided fuel for over 40 venues

Fuel solutions
Tailored to the unique requirements of each venue, the company’s fuel solutions team provided bespoke turnkey solutions designed with environmental safety and seamless operation at the core. The company also ensured all users from golf buggies to forklifts could fill and go, with little need for intervention or days of training.
As the linchpin of the operation, WP’s Emily Hard, was seconded to LOCOG for six months, working full time at its head office in Canary Wharf where she co-ordinated the project and liaised with the Southampton-based project team.
Challenging times
“The biggest challenge was co-ordinating the team across 40 different venues, each with its own unique and challenging requirements,” explained WP LOCOG project manager, Lisette Norman. “At times we were unable to gain site access until the eleventh hour which meant set-up efficiency was paramount. Each member of our installation team played a vital role in achieving optimal venue performance, they should be proud of their accomplishments.
“Once each site was installed, the company also had the contract to maintain fuel levels throughout the games. With a team of drivers delivering a range of products and covering multiple sites, the working day was often long and the hours unsocial. This meant our drivers were required to work nights for a sustained period of time, a downside rewarded by the incredible team atmosphere and national pride that surrounded the Olympics.”
David Fairchild, WP’s managing director, added: “The triumph of our Olympic project has not only demonstrated our ability to perform on an international scale, but given us a newfound confidence that challenges tradition and leads innovation. Both the installation and delivery team were committed to pulling together to make the whole Games a success. I am proud of my team and our achievements, a victory reflected in the way the country pulled together to support our athletes.”
Game plan
Ideally located in south west London, Linton Fuel Oils was also heavily involved from the outset of the project in 2007, supplying fuel to a number of construction firms working on the Olympic site. “We were very fortunate as many of the companies involved were local businesses and already existing customers,” said sales director, Neil Flynn.
“Security was tight and fuel deliveries were restricted,” explained Neil. “We delivered fuel to two different sites – Olympic Park and Athletes Village, with holding points at Barking and Epping. Vehicles had to be booked in at the relevant holding point before a permit was issued. Each permit was accompanied by a specific time limit and if the vehicle got stuck in traffic and exceeded this limit, it was sent back to the holding point for a new permit.
“We had to structure the business accordingly and meticulously plan deliveries. Our vehicles were on site every day to accommodate both venues, which wasn’t really the best use of our time.
“During the games themselves, it was unbelievable. The government and media worked hard to keep people off the highways in central London, which in reality was the best thing for us. Many companies shut down entirely, there was very little traffic on the roads and there were no delivery restrictions in place so we were able to do our city deliveries quickly and easily. On the flip side deliveries outside London took longer and we were actually down on volumes for August as many customers closed for the duration of the Games.
“It was an amazing experience though to see the changes unfolding and be part of such a special event,” concluded Neil.
Marine mission
As part of an ongoing partnership with Scandinavian Bunkering, GB Oils’ supplied gas oil to the MoD police launches, Excalibur and the Endeavour, acting as patrol and support vessels for HMS Ocean, during the Games. The two vessels were also supplied with oil during the Queen’s Jubilee, demonstrating the distributor’s ability to meet demand during busy periods.
An outstanding contribution
A special mention goes to the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) head of policy for London, Natalie Chapman, who was presented with an award by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport for her outstanding contribution to the efficient operation of freight and logistics during the Games.
FTA chief executive, Theo de Pencier, commented: “We’re delighted that Natalie’s efforts on behalf of FTA members and the logistics industry as a whole have been recognised. Her hard work and dedication made a significant contribution to ensuring that deliveries could be made successfully during the Olympics.”