Now part of the Rix Petroleum Group, managing director Duncan Lambert beside a Stones Fuel Oils tanker
A ‘much-loved family fuel company’ at Malton in North Yorkshire has been sold to Rix Petroleum. Started by his father, Stones Fuel Oils has been owned and run by Geoff Stones for more than 50 years. Now aged 74, Geoff has decided to retire.
Geoff agreed to sell the business to Rix Petroleum because, as another local, family company, he was confident they would uphold the values which Stones Fuel Oils was built on.
“I have run Stones Fuel Oils – initially with my father – for about fifty years now, and it seems the right time to step back and take life a little more steadily,” said Geoff.
“After much thought, I have decided to sell the fuel oil side of the operation to Rix Petroleum, another family-owned and locally-based business. I am confident that they will maintain the high standard of customer service that we have aimed to give, and will offer competitive prices.”
The move extends Rix Petroleum’s coverage further into North Yorkshire, enabling the company to service not just Malton and surrounding areas, but as far north as Whitby and west to Northallerton and Ripon.
All Stones Fuel Oils staff, including tanker drivers and office workers, have been retained by Rix Petroleum, and another tanker is to be stationed at the depot, bringing the fleet to three.
Duncan Lambert, managing director of Rix Petroleum, described Stones Fuel Oils as the ‘perfect fit’ for Rix as both businesses had much in common.
“Stones Fuel Oils is a fantastic and well-run family business that has a very loyal customer base. It is a credit to Geoff and his father that it is held in such high regard.
“Like Rix, Stones Fuel Oils has built its reputation on true family values of fairness and offering a quality, personal service. Those values form the core of Rix Petroleum too and we fully intend to honour them at our new Malton depot.”www.rix.co.uk
In the run-up to last month’s Budget, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) had been lobbying the government on various fronts for the off-grid heating oil industry.
Writing to Mr Hammond to better recognise the fuel and oil distribution sector, the FPS asked the chancellor to do more to assist both homeowners and members.
“Although the Budget did produce some good news for households, it was not very exciting and it didn’t deliver any great help for many small business owners many of whom are our members,” said FPS president Jodie Allan.
“The FPS represents 80% of heating oil distributors across the UK and our members operate at very low margins and so not raising fuel duty or vehicle excise duty rates for hauliers will assist our members,” added Jodie.
“However, reducing fuel duty would have helped members further, and we also wanted to see additional measures to help the customers of our members – the 1.25 million mainly rural homeowners who are off grid.
“Nothing was mentioned in the budget about a boiler scrappage scheme or help for off-grid homeowners.
“We would like to see a boiler scrappage scheme for off-grid homes as there are efficient condensing boilers which can be installed either as a replacement or as first-time central heating for customers – and both options would reduce the carbon footprint of the home.
“We’re disappointed that the BEIS has not included a strategy for oil boilers within the Clean Growth Strategy’s Boiler Plus; it deems the level of replacement oil boilers too low compared to that of gas.
“On behalf of members, we will continue to lobby government to introduce a nationwide boiler replacement programme. In comparison to decarbonising the gas network, decarbonising the oil heating sector should be relatively easy as it’s far smaller.
“As a sign of how seriously we take this matter, the industry is already looking at the type of fuel that may replace oil one day as a low carbon option.
www.fpsonline.co.uk
Shell Recharge enables most electric vehicles to be charged in approximately 30 minutes.Credit: Ed Robinson/Shell
In October, Shell announced the launch of its first electric vehicle charging points at three UK forecourts based in London, Surrey and Derby. The Shell Recharge service enables most electric vehicles to be charged in approximately 30 minutes.
By the end of the year, the service will be offered to a further seven locations within Greater London and Reading with the construction division of the Premier Group being responsible for the enabling works for the installation of Shell’s electrical vehicle (EV) charging service in the UK.
The Swansea-based Premier Group has been appointed as civils contractor for eight of the 10 trial sites. The company will co-ordinate all of the enabling works from pre-start meetings to final sign off for the installation of new e-charger units at these sites. The scope of works for the sites includes trenching and ducting to enable the units to be powered, tarmac services, as well as decorative and white lining works.
In addition to Shell, Premier Group’s construction division works with many other major national brands including Esso, Rontec, BP, MRH, Asda and Tesco.
“This is an extremely exciting project to be a part of as we see electrical vehicle charging really take off thanks to the Shell Recharge service, said Steve Evans, managing director of the construction division of The Premier Group,
“The UK has ambitions to develop one of the best electric vehicle charging networks in the world and our work with Shell is helping to contribute to this.”www.premiergroup.org.ukwww.shell.co.uk
Launched this week via Facebook – Gulf’s Big Christmas Giveaway has 100 items of Gulf branded merchandise on offer to lucky winners nationwide. The initiative runs until the end of December
Last month Certas Energy received the accolade of Gulf Oil Best Fuel Partner of the Year from Gulf Oil International at its annual conference in Dubai. The award recognises the work undertaken by Certas Energy to develop and grow its Gulf forecourt network in the UK.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Gulf Retail has been recognised in this way,” said Certas Energy’s retail director, Ramsay MacDonald.
“We continue to work hard to develop the Gulf brand in the UK and ensure that the Gulf proposition appeals to dealers of all sizes. The retail supply market is as competitive and challenging as we’ve ever seen it, with the oil majors now signing sites they would never have previously looked at and the super group dealers squeezing their own margins to drive volumes.
“We’re working hard to differentiate our offer with the support of Gulf Oil International and build brand presence across the UK. Our most recent successes, three flagship sites in the north of England with a combined volume of 13 million litres, are now on stream and in full Gulf imagery. They demonstrate in no uncertain terms the strength of this historic forecourt brand, today and for the future.”
“This award is so well deserved,” said Frank Rutten, vice president international of Gulf Oil International.
“Certas Energy is achieving such great results in spite of the toughness and complexities of the market place. The UK team continues to invest in the Gulf brand and works tirelessly to provide UK dealers with a strong alternative to the traditional forecourt majors.”
Gulf Oil International has fuel station representation in 25 countries across the world and sells lubricants in over 100 countries. Its ongoing investment to support the Gulf brand includes a global partnership with Manchester United.www.retail.gulfoil.co.uk
INEOS is to deliver the first ever US ethane from shale gas to China in 2019, using the world’s largest ethane carrier as part of a long-term supply agreement with China’s SP Chemicals. The agreement includes construction of a new carrier ship, the largest ethane carrier ever built.
“This is another world first for INEOS after importing shale gas to Europe in 2015,” said David Thompson, CEO of INEOS trading and shipping.
“By bringing in US ethane from shale gas to China for the first time we are leading the way in shipping ethane worldwide to meet the demands of an expanding chemicals sector.
“We’re excited to work with a client such as SP Chemicals and we look forward to delivering this historic project,” added David.
In a £110 million investment project, INEOS now has two state of the art vessels to support its North Sea operations.
“As natural gas continues to provide 84% of UK household heating, operations in the North Sea are of paramount importance and these two new vessels will provide essential operations support in the field,” said Mervyn Williams, supply chain manager INEOS Breagh.
The ships, officially named Forties Sentinel and Sentinel Ranger, were built by Sentinel Marine.
Among other news, last month INEOS acquired Lausanne-Sport, one of Switzerland’s most established football clubs, which is currently 6th in the Swiss super league.
www.ineos.com
The Kinneil oil terminal and gas processing plant which is part of the acquisition from BP
The completion of the deal, which also includes the Kinneil terminal, consolidates INEOS’ position as a top ten company in the North Sea and the largest privately– owned exploration and production business operating in the energy basin.
The FPS business is a natural fit for INEOS. Now with the responsibility for a strategic UK asset that delivers almost 40% of the UK’s North Sea oil and gas output, INEOS has further strengthened its long-term oil and gas activity.
The takeover was welcomed by Deirdre Michie, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, who said:
“The Forties Pipeline, which transported 40% of the North Sea’s production last year, is a critical UKCS asset and its integration with Ineos’ assets at Grangemouth is an efficient solution that will help unlock new investment opportunities upstream.”
“This represents another very significant deal for INEOS,” said FPS CEO Andrew Gardner. The acquisition reunites North Sea and Grangemouth assets under INEOS ownership. INEOS is now the only UK company with refinery and petrochemical assets directly integrated into the North Sea and this deal provides the platform to potential future offshore INEOS investments.”
The 235-mile pipeline system links 85 North Sea oil and gas assets to the UK mainland and the INEOS site in Grangemouth.
Ownership and operation of FPS, the Kinneil gas processing plant and oil terminal, the Dalmeny storage and export facility, sites at Aberdeen, the Forties Unity Platform and associated infrastructure has now transferred to INEOS FPS, together with approximately 300 personnel.
A&A is ‘a natural home for the business’ says OHES operations director, Dan Jones
Adler & Allan (A&A) has acquired the specialist environmental consultancy, OHES Environmental (OHES).
OHES, which covers a broad range of specialist and technical areas, including environmental pollution claims, will continue to be led by its current management team as an autonomous business within the A&A Group and operate from its existing locations across the UK.
“OHES is a highly respected environmental consultancy that has built a fantastic breadth of client-focused services over the past 15 years,” said Henry Simpson, commercial director of A&A Group.
“Many of its consultants and specialist teams are already well known to us and we’re delighted to welcome them into the A&A Group, where together we can offer clients a greater range and depth of resources than ever before.”
“We’re delighted to have secured a new home for OHES, as part of a specialist environmental services group,” added Adam Shefras, managing director of hazardous goods and environmental industries at Pen Underwriting.
“We look forward to working with the team which will continue to provide a fully embedded spill response and environmental claims management service as part of Pen Underwriting’s bespoke high hazard insurance scheme, on an exclusive basis.”
“Having known and worked with the team at A&A Group for many years, as both supplier and customer, we’re excited by the great fit our businesses represent,” explained Dan Jones, operations director at OHES.
“OHES has a plan for strategic growth that will be well supported by being part of a wider environmental services group. A&A is a natural home for our business and we look forward to building on our success as part of the Group.”
“Pen Underwriting’s strategic ambition has always been to become a true virtual insurer,” said chief underwriting office, Tom Downey.
“This requires us to focus on, and invest heavily in, enhancing our core services and skills such as technical underwriting expertise, product governance, pricing and analytics.”
On their way south – the two new tankers
When Simplytrac, a Kenya-based company, was looking for two new fuel bowsers they selected equipment from Tankquip and MechTronic. Simplytrac, which is part of Jupiter Electrical and General Contractors of Nairobi, required the bowsers for the provision of fuel at the expanding port in Mombassa. The vehicles not only incorporate all aspects of UK ADR and SLP best practice, they are also fitted with Mechtronic’s Visilevel and Stocksmart systems to help to combat issues of theft and tampering. In addition to knowing where the vehicle is and how much fuel it contains, the company can ensure that product matches the required SG. Simplytrac already manages fuel at the port and supplies to a number of larger road transport operators. “We look forward to supplying further equipment to Simplytrac,” said Dave Stanley. “Especially from our new partner Soteinpe, enabling them to expand their growing fuel management and wholesale fuel sales into the retail sector through Soteinpe’s Compact CIS system.” www.tankquip.co.uk www.gruposoteinpe.es/en www.mechtronic.ltd.uk
Pentons’ directors Stephen (centre) and Gary Penton (right) with Morris Lubricants’ managing director Andrew Goddard and the Volvo truck which will soon be starting a new life in Africa
A Volvo truck bought 16 years ago by an Oswestry-based haulage company is still going strong after clocking up 1.5 million miles
Addressing the question, how can businesses attract new talent into the freight and logistics sector?, this week (16-18 November) the Freight Transport Association (FTA) will have ‘a significant presence’ at the Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC.
More than 70,000 young people are expected to attend this free to attend event – the UK’s largest skills and careers event for young people.
“For many young people, logistics is an unknown topic, and they are unfamiliar with the scope and scale of the careers opportunities which the sector provides,” says Sally Gilson, head of skills campaigning.
“By attending The Skills Show, and demonstrating the breadth of roles which young people can aspire to in freight and logistics, we are confident that we will encourage the next generation of skilled workers to keep our industry buoyant in years to come.”
Currently (Nov 2017), the sector needs 52,000 LGV drivers across the country and FTA members report difficulties in recruiting skilled technicians.
FTA will be working in partnership with Think Logistics, CILT, Novus Trust, Manpower, Volvo and DHL.
“Logistics is changing, technology is now at the forefront of the sector,” continued Ms Gilson.
“There are jobs to be investigated across all modes of FTA’s membership, ranging from drivers and engineers through to warehouse designers, project management and operations directors – and many more besides. Logistics is the sector keeping Britain trading.”
www.theskillsshow.com
