The name ‘gleaner’ has its origins in the old agricultural and fishing phrase ‘to glean’, as in ‘to glean from the land, to glean from the sea’ as the company was initially created to serve these industries. Now, Gleaner serves a wide variety of commercial industries, as well as serving the domestic heating market and running a network of filling stations.
Claudia Weeks, Community Content Lead for Fuel Oil News, spoke with David Todd, Managing Director at Gleaner, to find out about the last 70 years and what the future holds for the business.
The history
Gleaner was founded in 1954 as an ‘Authorised Distributor’ for B.P. Scotland Ltd and Shell Mex Ltd and has evolved greatly since its inception. David explained more about the development of the business from the early days: “The Young family owned Youngs Coaches which was like the Scottish Stagecoach of its day. In the late 1940s, the company was nationalised, and Robin Young diversified into the white fish trawler fleet of the Northeast of Scotland. Realising the need for fuel for the boats, Gleaner was set up in 1954, based in Lossiemouth and Buckie.
“Gleaner continued to grow, and in the early 1970s (with the demise of Shell Mex Ltd) became a branded all-product distributor for Shell. Over the next three decades, the company expanded into most areas of Scotland selling oil, bulk LPG, and lubricants, whilst also establishing a strong position in petrol filling stations.
“Since Shell’s sale of Stanlow, Gleaner has established a network of excellent fuel suppliers who we continue to work closely with, whilst continuing to be an official Shell lubricant distributor.
“In 2024, Gleaner continues to grow as a business. The business started with only 6 employees and now there are around 200 people working for us!”
The key milestones
Claudia asked David what the key company milestones of growth and change have been over the past 70 years.
“There have been many of course, but the continuity of family ownership remains key,” David replies.
“I also feel that developing the PFS retail side of the business has been important, as well as the successful move to other suppliers.
“Owning our own depots brings both stability and the opportunity to provide diverse types of energy. It also puts Gleaner at the forefront of green energy offerings as the zero- carbon agenda takes off.”
A family-run business
In 2014, Jane Scott, the granddaughter of the company’s founder, Robin Young, along with her husband, Stephen Scott, bought her uncle’s 50% share in the business making them the outright owners of Gleaner.
David shared more about the family’s involvement: “The Scott family are still active in running the business and stay on top of ongoing developments. Whether its attending monthly Board meetings or giving advice over potential acquisitions, they are close to the management team.
“The family are very much custodians of the business and are keen to pass it on to their son, Evan, who would be the 4th generation to own the business.”
The customer
“We use all the standard routes of advertising to our customers. We do cover a large geographic area but maintaining a local feel to the business is particularly important to us,” David commented, keen to explain how new customers hear about the business and choose Gleaner as their supplier.
“This is why we have avoided call centres and mega depots which, although cost effective, are impersonal to the customer. We are located in, and employ people from, the areas in which we operate, and we feel this improves customer experience. The importance of word-of-mouth really does matter.”
The future
David considered what the future might look like for Gleaner: “We are already preparing for the future and provide several of our customers with green liquid energy. We see this continuing across oil, gas, and lubricants.
“As we are a big company, we feel that we have some clout in the market and that we are flexible enough to adapt to whatever the future holds.”
Working in this industry
To understand more about working life at Gleaner, Claudia asked David a series of quick- fire questions!
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the business?
“There have been many – although picking up the Scottish Family Business Award for Large Rural Companies in 2016 stands out. Also, our most recent business award from the Moray Chamber of Commerce for Most Outstanding Contribution to the Moray Economy in 2023.”
What was the best piece of advice you have been given in this industry?
“Days after I started, I was told – ‘turnover is vanity, while profit is sanity’ – I find this to be so true!
What have you enjoyed the most about operating in fuel distribution?
“Meeting so many different people, whether customers or colleagues, as well as living in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. I’m a lucky man!”
Who has had the best ideas?
“I think it has to be Jane’s father, Evan Young Snr, and Billy Laing, my predecessor, who saw the opportunity in forecourts.”
What was your most memorable day at work?
“Finishing the upgrade of our ship-fed Isaly depot which is now able to offer green alternatives to the historic hydrocarbons we supplied. It was a great day!”
Who has been the funniest person you’ve worked with?
“It has to be Jimmy Turnbull – renowned for his Northern Irish charm and humour!”
Who has surprised you?
“I am especially proud of the young people we have employed who have developed in their career with Gleaner and now contribute to the future – Kirsty, Duncan, Kara, Damien… (That list isn’t exhaustive so apologies to those I have missed!)”
Who makes the best cup of tea?
“I’ve always made my own!”
Plans for the future
Gleaner is a company proud of its heritage and successes from the last 70 years, but one now looking to the future and what the next 70 years might hold.
David carefully considered his thoughts on the future of the business: “Customer- focused adaptation to the many changing variables is our focus. If you don’t bring the customers along, you simply don’t have a business.”
Fuel Oil News wishes David, the Scott family, and the Gleaner team a very happy 70th anniversary and looks forward to catching up with them again soon!
Image credit: Gleaner Fuels
