Formed in 2014, Sodbury Fuels began when Andy Welch partnered with Mark Nolan, of Nolan Oils, to form a new fuel distribution business.
The business has been a huge success, and was set up as a limited company in its own right in 2016. Claudia Weeks, community content lead for Fuel Oil News, spoke with Andy and his wife Lisa, to find out more about the business as they celebrate 10 years of business as Sodbury Fuels.
A family-run business
Sodbury Fuels proudly follows the same ethos as Nolan Oils and is an independent, family-owned and run business.
Andy has been working within the oil industry for over 30 years, both as a driver and as a trainer for OAMPS. During his oil industry career, he has qualified in many fields including LGV CPC and ADR training and was the FPS Driver of the Year.
Lisa began by explaining the development of the business since its inception: “We started with one small depot and one tanker in 2014. Now, we have moved to a larger depot and have six tankers. In 2014, Andy and I were the only members of staff, we now have a staff team of eight. Our staff are like family to us, in fact some even are family – my son, Owen, works for Sodbury Fuels too!
Owen Cantle, Lisa’s son, has been working for Sodbury Fuels for the last four years since he was sixteen. Lisa said: “I am so incredibly proud of Owen. I think he must be one of the youngest tanker drivers in the whole industry! He’s worked so hard over the last few years; he passed his ADR and his class 2 HGV test. The only challenge has been getting his insurance for the tanker – it’s been expensive as he’s so young!”
Customer service
Andy was keen to explain how important customer service is to Sodbury Fuels: “We pride ourselves on our customer service, our excellent drivers, and how reliable we are. We don’t let people down. I think that’s why people come back to us, time and time again.
“We might not always be the cheapest, but our service is always the best. I think that customers like that we’re small and family-run. When you ring the office, it’s always going to be one of three people answering the phones. Our regular customers know us and care about us, and we care about them.
“We received the following email recently from a new customer and we think it shows our high level of customer service and how supportive we are:
I moved to a new property here in the Cotswolds recently. My cottage is heated by LPG gas. This was a first for me and a complete unknown. My neighbour recommended I used Sodbury Fuels for my gas. They said they were a small local company, who pride themselves on offering a friendly and professional service.
The first delivery was all a blur to me. I was a little concerned about the look of these brute size canisters! This week I organised my second delivery and felt slightly more in control. Andy delivered today and it was perfect. He explained again to me what to do. He did explain the first time, but I didn’t take in a single word! Today, I feel that hopefully I’ve understood far more. Did he make me feel like an idiot? No, he did not! The pride he has with Lisa, and in his business just shone through. Excellent service.
Thank you to you both.
The importance of community
Born in Chipping Sodbury, Andy has lived there all his life and so is familiar with the area and the people who live there. Lisa commented: “We love our community. It really matters to us. We’ve have lived here all our lives, we know the people, we know the community and we want to provide the best service possible to those in our community. We don’t want to get too big. We love it here!”
Andy added: “As we see ourselves as a big part of the local community, we are really keen to give back and want to support local charities. We support the Wallace and Gromit Appeal – Children’s Hospital Bristol, Hawkesbury Upton School Charity Run, Chipping Sodbury Lions Club, Yate Town Football Club, Time is Precious, Castle Combe Steam Rally, Jessie May and obviously the Santa run!
Andy takes part in the annual Santa Tractor Run in Chipping Sodbury and the surrounding areas which normally takes place throughout December. The event is incredibly popular and has made the front page of the local newspaper! Now, every Christmas Eve, Andy dresses as Father Christmas and the Santa float goes to the local children’s hospital. The police even close the roads to ensure that nothing can stop Father Christmas reaching his destination.
Industry highlights
Claudia asked Lisa and Andy what their favourite part of working in the industry is. Lisa laughed and said: “Well it’s definitely not the smell of oil! It gets everywhere – even my washing machine smells of oil!
“The highlight of the industry for both of us must be working with family and staff that are like family to us, the daily laughs with our team (thanks Danny and Brad!) and being such an integral part of the community. It’s been a brilliant 10 years (apart from the Beast from the East!) and we are continuing to grow and develop. We’d like to retire one day but for now, we’re going to keep doing what we love!”
Many congratulations to Sodbury Fuels on their 10th anniversary from all of us at Fuel Oil News.
Images provided by Sodbury Fuels
