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Mabanaft’s 2017 customer survey has just been completed and yet again the company is delighted with the results. They said that survey was well received and feedback has been both very positive and enlightening.
Between early 2019 and the end of 2020, cities across the UK will start levying prohibitively high charges on older HGVs and vans, for air quality reasons. This autumn’s FTA Transport Manager conferences will be briefing on this topic.
The Freight Transport Association aims to have the latest information about what will happen where, which vehicles will be affected, and how best to plan now to ensure the business impact is minimised.
The government has named 32 local authorities across England that have to take further action on air quality, but it is a complicated picture as to which of these will result in a charging zone affecting commercial vehicles. The session will set out FTA’s insight as to where and when charges can be expected. It will also brief on the effects of the London Direct Vision Standard, which could see more than half the +12 tonne HGVs that currently visit London banned completely in 2020.
“Over the next three years a series of blanket restrictions will come into force in UK cities for HGVs and vans,” said FTA’s head of national & regional policy, Christopher Snelling,
“With retrofitting of existing vehicles unlikely to be an option for most operators, transport managers need to be prepared for what is ahead, so the procurement of future fleets can be planned.”
Headline sponsor, Iveco, will give a vehicle manufacturer’s perspective on the subject. Iveco’s alternative fuel director, Martin Flach, will provide an update on alternative fuel vehicles and the demands for Euro VI trucks in order to meet the government’s proposed requirements.
Over 1200 delegates attended last year’s events; this year five new venues have been chosen to enable more delegates to be accommodated.
For a full list of dates and venues or to book a place visit http://www.ftatransportmanager.co.uk or call 03717 11 22 22.
The cost for FTA members is £295 plus VAT for the first delegate and £265 plus VAT for subsequent delegates; for non-FTA members £395 plus VAT for the first delegate and £365 plus VAT for subsequent delegates.
This year’s Road Safety Week has the theme of Speed Down Save Lives. Co-ordinated annually by Brake, the road safety charity, it is the UK’s biggest road safety event.
Named as the winner of the Fleet Safety Trophy in the RoSPA Health & Safety Awards 2017, Phillips 66 was also highly commended in the Oil & Gas Industry Sector award and received the Fleet Safety Gold award.
The Inver Energy acquisition fulfils ‘a long-term ambition of Greenergy to participate in the Irish market’ with the acquisition offering ‘a very exciting opportunity for everyone at Inver’
Having agreed to purchase 100% of the shares of Inver Energy, Greenergy is looking forward to a presence in the growing Irish market for the first time.
Inver’s business activities include import and storage facilities and fuel supply operations in Ireland, as well as an Irish retail dealer network operating under the growing Inver brand. Inver’s existing management team will remain in place and Chris O’Callaghan, Inver’s managing director, will join the board of Greenergy Fuels Holdings.
“It’s been a long-term ambition of Greenergy to participate in the Irish market,” said Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive.
“As entrepreneur-founded private businesses, Greenergy and Inver are a perfect structural and cultural fit to fulfil this ambition. Both are customer-focused, can-do businesses with an emphasis on safety, operational reliability and low costs.
“By combining Greenergy’s global origination skills with Inver’s share of the recently constructed AFSC terminal in Ireland, its branded retail dealer offer and strong local customer relationships, we aim to accelerate the expansion of Inver’s business in Ireland.”
“The acquisition by Greenergy is a very exciting opportunity for everyone at Inver,” said Chris O’Callaghan.
“While we’re now part of a significantly larger business, we will continue to think and act ‘local’ and will maintain our commitment to our customers and their businesses. I look forward to steering the business through its next stage of development.”
Inver Energy is a leading fuel supplier in Ireland, supplying petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and heating oil to commercial and retail customers. Inver has a 50% shareholding in the AFSC import and storage facilities at Foynes, a strategic location on the west coast, and supplies independently owned forecourts through the Inver brand. It also owns a terminal in Cardiff, a portion of which is leased to Greenergy.
East Cork Oil Company continues as the other 50% partner in the AFSC import terminal in Foynes.www.inverenergy.comwww.greenergy.com
The new agreement with Etihad Airways is the latest development in Essar Oil UK’s strategy of downstream integration, which has also seen a successful entry into the UK fuel retail market with the opening of 33 Essar branded service stations to date
Earlier this month Essar Oil (UK) confirmed a new agreement with Etihad Airways for the direct supply of aviation fuel at Manchester Airport; supply commenced on Saturday 1st July.
This deal strengthens Essar’s aviation proposition in the UK, with the company now having direct jet fuel supply agreements in place with major airlines operating out of Manchester, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford airports.
Essar Stanlow produces 16% of the UK’s road transport fuel demand and manufactures over two billion litres of jet fuel each year, playing a key role in the country’s aviation industry.
“This is another significant step in realising our objective of value chain integration by combining our refinery supply strength with our marketing capabilities in the aviation sector,” said chief executive officer S. Thangapandian.
Essar currently supplies, on a wholesale basis, a significant proportion of Manchester Airport as well as Liverpool John Lennon and other regional airports’ jet fuel demand.
“This deal firmly demonstrates our commitment to achieve further growth in the aviation sector in support of our airline partners,” added S B Prasad, chief commercial officer.
Phillips 66 has invested in DTN TABS® at its core terminal locations. DTN TABS is a live online product allocation system that provides suppliers, like Phillips 66, with real-time credit and product allocation management capabilities.
Customers also have access to their account details in DTN TABS. This shared portal improves communication between the parties and enables more effective and efficient customer transport scheduling.
“A lack of up-to-date information or inflexible systems can potentially lead to customers incurring higher costs associated with extended waiting times at terminals, wasted trips, more administration from frequent phone calls to terminals and confusion around product allocations or available credit,” explained wholesale business manager, Mark Todd.
“To address these issues and give our customers the information needed to put them in control, we introduced the DTN TABS system at our core UK terminals a few years ago.”
DTN TABS uses a handy traffic light system, enabling Phillips 66 customers to clearly see what product is available. The system is updated within minutes once drivers lift product from Phillips 66 terminals so the data held is accurate and this live feed clearly shows what is available at any given time.
The FPS team celebrating their success earlier this month
FPS EXPO took the title of Exhibition of the Year at the Trade Association Forum 2017 Best Practice Awards which took place in London on 12th July.
Now in their fifteenth year, the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards provide members with the opportunity to showcase their hard work and achievements during the last 12 to 18 months.
Recognised as a key date in the fuel distribution calendar, FPS EXPO, which is now in its 37th year, has taken place at Exhibition Centre Liverpool in the past two years where it will return on 18–19th April 2018.
“This was our first year of entering the awards and it was such a great honour to win,” said Dawn Shakespeare, marketing manager at the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS).
“It’s testament to all the hard work the small team here at the FPS has put in to make FPS EXPO the exhibition it is today.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to all FPS members and to all FPS EXPO sponsors and exhibitors, many of whom have been sponsoring and exhibiting with us for more than 10 years.”
“FPS Expo is a fantastic industry exhibition,” added Linda Cavender, chief executive of the Trade Association Forum.
“The exhibition is hugely successful and achieved some amazing results. This is all the more impressive given the very small team responsible, and FPS well deserve their win.”www.fpsshow.co.uk
XPO teams have provided crucial behind-the-scenes support for the ASO organising team of the Tour de France since 1981
XPO Logistics, which occupies the number four slot in the latest Fuel Oil News top 10 fuel logistics companies, recently acted as the official transport partner to the 104th Tour de France.
Preparation for the world-famous bicycle race, which departed from Dusseldorf on 1st July, finishing on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on 23rd July, took five months to complete, involving a team of experts dedicated to ensuring that all 21 stages of the race ran smoothly.
XPO was responsible for transporting materials required for all stages of the race, including barriers, podiums and gates, as well as furniture for the villages, sound and video equipment, and merchandise for sponsors.
Forty-six trucks and 55 drivers were assigned to travel with the event. They covered over 270,000 kilometers and carried 360 tonnes of equipment, including the paint to mark the course and finish line.“The Tour de France is always an exciting challenge for us,” said Troy Cooper, XPO Logistics chief executive officer in Europe.
“We’re proud to serve in this key role as transport and logistics provider. We have nearly four decades of experience helping the organisers stage this great event and supporting the athletes in giving their best.”www.xpologistics.com
Systal Technology Systems is now helping to streamline the delivery of billions of litres of fuel at Certas Energy
Systal Technology Solutions has been selected to provide a network monitoring service to ensure Certas Energy’s 1000 strong tanker fleet can service the growing demand for 24/7 service.
Systal is responsible for monitoring Certas Energy’s on truck computer infrastructure. Multiple checks are undertaken by Systal to manage service status and to ensure that any failures are managed through to resolution.
Certas Energy required a partner with the capability to deliver the network monitoring service out of hours. Systal’s UK-based network operations centre operates 24×365 and is run by 2nd and 3rd line engineers managed by a network operational manager and an ITIL service director. Like all Systal’s customers, Certas Energy has a dedicated account manager.
“From kick-off to go-live we were delighted with the service we received from Systal,” said Paul Leonard, head of IT operations.
“Now the service is live, our team can focus on adding value rather than monitoring services.”www.certasenergy.co.uk
The IFC team – on the front row Chris Underwood, Rick Bartaby, Greg Clarke, Katrina Flynn and Kiran Shaw with Stuart Warren, Gary Davies, Billie Chapple, Lee Biggins and Matt Ward on the back row
Founded in 1987 as Industrial Flow Control to sell tanker loading and process metering equipment, today IFC Inflow is run by operations director Kiran Shaw and technical director Greg Clarke.
Starting in August the new roadside checks, which aim to improve air quality in towns and cities, will target those who try to cheat the law.
In this major government crackdown, truck drivers and operators who try to cheat vehicle emissions could be taken off Britain’s roads.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is taking tough action after the government consulted on a draft plan to improve air quality across the UK.
Councils are responsible for improving their area’s air quality – but under the government’s plan they will be expected to develop new solutions to reduce emissions quickly, while avoiding undue impact on the motorist.
The crackdown follows emerging evidence, including from DVSA enforcement staff, that unscrupulous drivers and operators are using cheat devices to cut the cost of operating.
‘XPO will help to ensure our customers receive the vital safety equipment they need to run their operations,’ said Neil Griffiths, divisional director, logistics
XPO Logistics has been awarded a national distribution contract by Arco, supplier of safety equipment, workwear, gloves and maintenance supplies to several industries including oil and gas.
Arco has been growing rapidly and recently invested £4 million in its 27,000 square metre national distribution centre in Hull, where the company is based. XPO will manage the movement of up to 60,000 pallets a year for Arco from Hull to 11 strategically placed regional hubs and onwards to customers through its own distribution network.
“The scale of XPO enables us to be flexible across the UK, while their technological know-how provides invaluable on-site scanning, consignment management and tracking, direct order entry and resource optimisation tools,” said Arco’s Neil Griffiths, divisional director, logistics.
“As we continue to grow, we know that XPO will be there with us, helping to ensure our customers receive the vital safety equipment they need to run their operations.”
“Our distribution solutions for Arco will help them shape their growth ambitions and deliver superior customer service,” added Arron Kendall, commercial director, XPO Logistics.
“We are proud to support them in achieving both objectives. Our fully integrated shared user network and extensive experience add significant value in the form of enhanced productivity, quality and cost-effectiveness.”www.xpo.comwww.arco.co.uk
Award success for Essar Stanlow – ‘demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record,’ says Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events
The commitment to occupational health and safety at Essar Oil UK’s Stanlow manufacturing complex has been recognised in the 2017 awards given by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in its centenary year.
With 21 consecutive golds the refinery has achieved the Order of Distinction award in the prestigious annual scheme run by the national charity.
“Health and safety is a key priority for everyone at Stanlow,” said chief executive officer Mr S Thangapandian.
“We’re delighted to have received this prestigious award, demonstrating external recognition of our outstanding performance.”
Essar will be presented with the award during a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel next month. The award was achieved during a special year for family-safety charity RoSPA, as it celebrates its centenary
“This is a special year in the history of RoSPA, and we congratulate all of our winners in this, our centenary year,” said Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events.
“The RoSPA Awards are the most prestigious in the world of occupational health and safety, and held in high regard around the world. Winning an award demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record. Achieving the standard required is no mean feat.”www.rospa.comwww.essaroil.co.uk
JET is also sponsoring the JET Super Touring Car Trophy races
Next month will see JET’s fourth year as the official fuel partner of the Silverstone Classic, the world famous, action-packed racing event, which takes place from 28 – 30th July.
“JET is considered by many to be a classic British brand, so we’re delighted to be official partner for the fourth year running,” said Mary Wolf, managing director, UK marketing for Phillips 66.
“It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness of the JET brand among the vast number of car enthusiasts and their families who attend the event each year – last year saw over 100,000 visitors over the three days! It’s also an opportunity for us to invite customers from across our entire business to share the excitement of the event and meet up with their industry counterparts.”
JET is also sponsoring the JET Super Touring Car Trophy races, which will take place on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons. For the first time, these races will have two separate grids: the first for the much-loved high-tech super tourers from the 1990s, with the second for the earlier generation Group A saloon racers, featuring a large number of fire-breathing Ford Sierra RS500s.
Visitors to the JET Village Green and Fun Fair will be able to take part in a special promotion in addition to enjoying state-of-the-art virtual racing simulators, rides on the JET Big Wheel, crazy golf, vintage fairground rides, mini racing simulators for children and a host of food, fun and entertainment to keep all ages happy.
For ticket details and all the latest Silverstone Classic news, please visit www.silverstoneclassic.com.
Jonathan Wiltshire who recently joined the Cobo team
Having been appointed as Cobo’s new sales manager for the UK and Ireland Jonathan Wiltshire got straight down to work on the Cobo stand at FPS EXPO 2017 in Liverpool.