Bringing together two well-respected, deep-rooted Scottish businesses, the partnership is described as bringing “long-term security and laying a foundation for sustainable growth.”
“This partnership is built on shared values and a commitment to long-term success.”Stephen Rhodes, Managing Director – Highland Fuels
Following an extensive sale process the Carnegie family made the decision to entrust the future of the business to Highland Fuels citing “a strong cultural alignment, shared ethos, and long-standing reputation for service excellence and community focus”.
Founded in 1957, Carnegie Fuels has built a legacy of reliability, trust and local service and will continue to operate under its established name and management structure. Ryan Carnegie has been appointed as Director and Kevin and Rosie Carnegie will be supporting a smooth transition.
Stephen Rhodes, Managing Director at Highland Fuels, comments: “This is a very positive step for both businesses and for the communities we serve. We’re honoured to be continuing the Carnegie legacy and welcoming the team into the Highland Fuels family.
“This transaction lays a strong foundation for operational continuity and sustainable growth, delivered with a focus on people, communities, and service excellence. Highland Fuels and Carnegie Fuels share a deep-rooted commitment to professionalism, integrity and reliability. By uniting the strengths of the two companies customers can be confident in a trusted energy partner that is well equipped to meet Scotland’s evolving energy needs – today and into the future.”
Employee ownership brings staff security
One of the defining features of this transaction is the long-term security it brings to the employees of Carnegie Fuels, who now become part of an employee-owned organisation, in Highland Fuels. As beneficiaries of the Highland Fuels Employee Trust, Carnegie Fuels staff will now have the opportunity to directly contribute to, and benefit from, the ongoing success of the expanded business.
Commenting on behalf of Carnegie Fuels, Kevin Carnegie said: “This (employee ownership) was a key factor in our decision. We wanted to ensure that our team, many of whom have been with us for years, are looked after not just today but into the future.
“Joining an employee-owned company like Highland Fuels gives them that stability and a real stake in what comes next.”
With firm roots in the north of Scotland, Highland Fuels is Scotland’s leading independent fuel distributor, operating 11 depots, 16 petrol stations and a fleet of 50 road tankers serving the country. It has 260 employees based across its operations which stretch from Lerwick, Shetland and south to Manchester. The company became employee-owned in August 2023.
Images provided by Highland Fuels