News

March 2024 – latest updates from our distributor community

Aaron “Mitch” Mitchell celebrates 20 years with Prince Energy 

Aaron “Mitch” Mitchell, Transport Director at Prince Energy, recently celebrated his 20th year anniversary of working at Prince Energy. 

March 2024 – latest updates from our distributor community

Claudia Weeks, Community Content Lead for Fuel Oil News, spoke with Aaron to hear about the last twenty years at Prince Energy.

Aaron reflected: “I am honoured to have reached this milestone in my career with Prince Energy, it’s been an epic 20-year journey.

“My career at Prince commenced in the February of 2004, I was in my transition period from military to civilian employment.  I enrolled with an agency and asked them to place me with as many ADR companies as possible so I could get a taste of what civilian employment had to offer! 

“Soon into my new venture I was to meet with David Prince, Managing Director of then Prince Petroleum.  On successful interview I was offered a contractual temp to perm contract of one year, this was quickly re-evaluated by David and by the June I was fully integrated into the company business.”

I’m so grateful for this opportunity

“The growth that I’ve been privileged to be a part of during my time here has been amazing.  When I started with the company it was operating a fleet of six vehicles, five ridged and one artic that I drove, we now have a fleet of fourteen tankers with a further five on order including our third artic!  After my first year of employment, I was promoted to Transport Manager whilst taking on this role I continued to also drive for a further sixteen years.  After almost seventeen years I was again promoted within the company to the position that I hold today of Transport Director.  

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity afforded me by the Prince family, I’ve been well supported by the team at Prince and have made a lot of friends in the industry over the years. I look forward to the years of employment I have ahead of me and I’m ready to embrace the future in this industry.”

A huge congratulations to Aaron! If you have a work anniversary that you would like to share then please get in touch – claudia@fueloilnews.co.uk

Craggs Energy and Moorland Fuels – delighted to reveal new tankers

Craggs Energy, the West Yorkshire-based distributor, is proud to announce the launch of three new trucks for Craggs Energy and Moorland Fuels.

Kathryn Brennan, Senior Marketing Executive, said: “We’re excited to reveal the newest members of the Craggs Energy next generation fleet, featuring local scenes such as the Hewenden Viaduct and the impressive Manchester City skyline.

“They have been wrapped and are now out on the road! They have been designed to not only stand out on the road, but also to reflect our local community and the areas we proudly serve.”

David Damary-Thompson, Director of Craggs Energy, added: “You may also have noticed the back of the tankers looks slightly different from our normal design. We have chosen to feature red and yellow chevrons, taking the first steps to becoming Chapter 8 compliant on both vehicles.

“Shortly, both tankers will be able to provide emergency fuel deliveries on highways and other high-speed roads ensuring a safe, efficient, and responsible delivery process!”

Tanker investment sees Rix hit a century

Rix Petroleum Ltd has hit a century with its latest investment.  The Hull-based business has invested almost £2m in 10 DAF tankers, taking its national fleet past the 100 mark.

The trucks will initially work in the company’s heartland of Hull and East Yorkshire, delivering agricultural and commercial fuels to farms and businesses across the region, and domestic heating oil to households.

Over time, however, some will be dispatched to the company’s other 15 depots across the UK, either to extend the fleet in those areas or to replace older tankers.

The tankers will be fitted out with the latest technology in Santander, Spain, by family company Cobo.

LCM Environmental – celebrating Leo’s success

LCM Environmental Services Ltd, the Lancashire-based, fuel, energy, and infrastructure specialist, is incredibly proud of their Operations Assistant, Leo Garner, for passing his Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with Burnley College.

Leo said: “During my time as an apprentice at LCM, I’ve been lucky to have amazing support and encouragement that’s helped me sail through the program.”

I felt like I belonged

“Right from the get-go, I felt like I belonged here. LCM has been like a second home to me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better company to work for. Now that I’ve wrapped up my apprenticeship, I’m stoked to be joining the operations team and excited to see where this journey takes me within the company.”

Jeremy Cosway, Operational Director, added: “We’re thrilled that Leo has completed his apprenticeship with LCM through Burnley College. It’s been a great journey to be on with Leo. He has learnt so much about LCM and the industry we operate within. We look forward to him being a long-term member of the team.”

Congratulations to Leo!

Compass Fuel Oils – to the rescue!

Compass Fuel Oils, the Lancashire-based fuel distributor, is always pleased to help in emergency situations, especially in the depths of winter.

A local care home got in touch with the distributor with an urgent request for fuel and Compass Fuel Oils managed to deliver the heating oil within 2 hours of receiving the initial call!

Michael Wilkinson was the tanker driver who delivered the fuel in a timely manner and was praised by Matt Ryan, Sales Director: “I would like to commend Michael for his exceptional work as our reliable go-to driver. He’s been with the business for 9 years and he’s always willing to assist with emergency deliveries.”

Moorland Fuels – Employee of the Quarter

Moorland Fuels, the Devon-based fuel distributor, is proud to announce Kate Bradley, Sales Consultant, as their Employee of the Quarter.

Abby Turner, Director at Moorland Fuels, said: ‘’We are proud to award Kate Bradley with the Employer of the Quarter award for Q4 2023.

“Kate consistently goes above and beyond for her customers and colleagues including picking up extra responsibilities such as weekend and evening deliveries in our custom 4X4 Ranger!

“Thank you for helping to support our business in every way you can and embodying our Employee-Ownership values, we appreciate you and hope you enjoy your prize!’’

Congratulations to Kate! If you would like to celebrate a colleague for going above and beyond then please let us know: claudia@fueloilnews.co.uk

Crown Oil – proudly supporting local hospice

Crown Oil, the Greater Manchester-based distributor, is proud to be supporting a local charity, Springhill Hospice. Based in Rochdale, Springhill Hospice provides the highest standard of care for patients in need of palliative care.

Crown Oil have donated £24,000 to the hospice this year, who are in vital need of funding and support. The money will cover the running costs for 3 days and, going forward, Crown Oil has pledged to pay for a day every year.

Matt Greensmith, Managing Director at Crown Oil, said: “We’re proud to support Springhill Hospice’s One Day Club initiative, covering three days’ running costs in 2024 and a day every year from 2025. They provide vital and much-appreciated services to families across the greater Rochdale area, and at Crown Oil we feel that it’s important for businesses to play an active role in supporting the local community.”

NWF Fuels – Going the extra mile

NWF Fuels, the Crewe-based distributor, is always keen to celebrate its employees and show appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the business. To support this, a new award has been introduced – Going the Extra Mile.

Dave Walmsley, Managing Director at NWF, explains more: “Going the Extra Mile is an employee recognition scheme we’ve developed to praise those who are consistently demonstrating the behaviours that make us who we are here at NWF Fuels.

“This encapsulates our tagline ‘Where People Make the Difference’.  It’s from the dedication of our teams that we delight our customers with our fanaticism for service– and that’s what enables us to grow as a business.”

Dale Hunter, Accounts Payable Associate, is one of the January winners for the award. As NWF explained: “Dale has demonstrated lots of flexibility, a desire to help where required and a passion to put the support of the business first.”

Congratulations to Dale and the rest of the winners!