Latest
For a chance to win an unforgettable holiday in California, simply fill up with £25 worth of fuel at a participating Gulf forecourt before 31 January 2016.
Having bought the fuel, using the detail on your fuel receipt, visit the www.gulfoil.co.uk/winaholiday then enter the transaction reference (receipt number), plus your name, email address, postcode and contact number. Alternatively text your fuel transaction reference and the word GULFHOLIDAY to 78070. Standard mobile rates apply.
“What a great tonic for these winter months!” said retail director Ramsay MacDonald.
“Following on from our win a car promotion it shows how we’re targeting brand recognition and loyalty with drivers. It gives our dealer network the opportunity to give something back to their customers and will make one lucky customer extremely happy indeed.”
The composition of the trip will be at the discretion of the winner – perhaps Yosemite National Park, the Golden Gate Bridge and the body-building Mecca at Muscle Beach, Los Angeles – your choice up to the value of £6,000. The random draw to select the winner will take place on 8 February 2016.
To find out which Gulf forecourts are taking part go to www.gulfoil.co.uk/winaholiday.
“We would like to see government harness the power of OFTEC technicians by including them in the roll out of future energy policies,” said Jeremy Hawksley.
After a ‘very positive’ meeting with Dr Dan Poulter, deputy chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee last month, OFTEC has submitted recommendations that focus on ‘incentivising solutions that are simple, affordable to install and offer competitive running costs’.
With ‘a strong vision and the required resources to deliver a well-planned entry into the market,’ Essar’s first branded site at Coalville in Leicestershire will be quickly followed by more sites
Last month Essar Oil UK became the newest entrant into the UK fuel retail sector when, in association with HKS Retail, its first branded service station opened in Leicestershire.
The site in Coalville has undergone a complete corporate rebrand and is the first of many Essar service stations planned across the country. Contracts for other retail sites have already been agreed and these will be rolled out over the coming months.
This is the first time the company, which owns and operates the Stanlow oil refinery, has supplied product directly to a site branded under its own company colours. The refinery has supplied the major retail brands with high quality products for over half a century and currently produces 15% of all transport fuels used in the UK.
“This is a significant step forward and part of our plans to add value to our UK business,” said SB Prasad, chief commercial officer for retail at Essar Oil UK.
“We’ve worked hard to deliver a distinctive brand, competitive commercial offering and the best possible customer support. HKS Retail has worked with all the major retail brands, so this is a real sign of their confidence in Essar and we look forward to further strengthening this relationship.”
Commercial business manager at Essar Oil UK, Bryan Hayes explained: “Essar have brought a very clear, honest and straightforward offer to dealers in the UK, supplying quality products from our Stanlow refinery at value prices.
“We aim to build our network quickly over the coming months and are looking to talk with potential new dealers to see how we can work together to further develop their businesses.”
Shane Thakrar, chief executive HKS Retail said: “We feel the Essar brand has a strong vision and the required resources to deliver a well-planned entry into the market. The new branding is refreshing and welcoming to consumers, whom have commented favourably on the site’s new look.”
The Essar Group already has significant expertise in the retail sector with about 1,700 Essar-branded retail outlets in India, with another ~1,900 under various stages of implementation.
The global Essar Group has annual revenues of $35 billion, with operations in 29 countries and over 60,000 employees worldwide.
“The introduction of the requirement for presentation of a tank integrity certificate at PSV would be a major step forward in improving compliance with the current legislation,” says David Blevings
Members of the Northern Ireland Oil Federation (NIOF) believe that a number of fuel tankers are not subjected to periodic inspection of tanks and this is a major issue of public safety.
“There are upwards of 700 fuel tankers in Northern Ireland,” says NIOF director David Blevings.
“To make sure vehicles are safe and fit for purpose, there’s a plethora of legislation. BUT, this legislation is split between the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the Department of Environment (DOE), the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVTA) and the Health & Safety Executive (NI) HSENI.
“Tank testing is HSENI’s responsibility and NIOF members would argue that compliance with legislation, and indeed enforcement, is not even-handed across Northern Ireland. For complaint companies this results in higher running costs and provides opportunities for misuse by those not receiving visits and checks by the various agencies.
“Current goods vehicle testing is carried out by DVTA and focuses on the vehicle chassis, cab and running gear but excludes an inspection of the tank. The standard Public Service Vehicle (PSV) test does not focus on the tank and a valid PSV certificate can be currently issued in Northern Ireland without a valid tank certificate!
“Our members believe that a number of vehicles are therefore not subjected to periodic tank inspection and this is a major issue for public safety. It is our desire that there should be a level playing field for all distributors and it would be beneficial if these vehicles/owners were identified and made to comply.”
Managing director Simon Ahearne says SA1 Solutions has invested heavily in improving and upgrading the emtoo package
A new App designed to save its users even more time and money has been launched by emtoo.
The bespoke business management software package was first developed by Business Systems Services (BSS) almost 10 years ago. Two years ago BSS and its products were acquired by IT and communications company SA1 Solutions. Managing director Simon Ahearne says the company has “subsequently invested heavily in improving and upgrading the package and one of the outcomes of this has been the development of the App.”
“When offsite the App allows users to access the system via a smart phone or tablet computer. This means they can immediately make updates, synchronising data and limiting unnecessary paperwork.
The software platform is already used by Guernsey Petroleum Distributors, Petroleum Distributors (Jersey) and Gas 4 Wales together with new client Oil 4 Wales which recently acquired Powys Petroleum.
“emtoo software has dramatically lessened our administration time,” says John Cherry at Powys Petroleum. The new App means that our people out on the road can get the job done a lot quicker with all information on deliveries automatically updated across all systems.”
Emmet O’Neill, chief executive, Topaz (l) with Brian Hannasch, president and chief executive officer of Alimentation, Couche-TardJohnny Bambury-Fennell Photography
Subject to the usual regulatory approvals and closing conditions Ireland’s largest convenience and fuel retailer, Topaz Energy Group, is to be acquired by the publicly quoted Canadian company Alimentation Couche-Tard.
The company will join a publicly quoted business with a worldwide network of 15,000 convenience stores and service stations. Topaz CEO describes last week’s deal, which is expected to close in spring 2016, as a game-changer for the retail sector.
The Topaz network includes 464 service stations, 162 of which are company-owned and a commercial fuels operation with over 30 depots. The business employs over 2,000 people across the island of Ireland.
“The last two years have been a period of phenomenal development and improvement for Topaz,” said chairman John Callaghan
“We’ve established a well-capitalised group of growing businesses which, with the recent amalgamation of Esso in Ireland, is the undoubted industry leader. We know Couche-Tard will build on the foundations we’ve put in place and bring a new dimension to the industry in Ireland to the benefit of the economy, our customers and our staff.”
Emmet O’Neill, Topaz chief executive said: “Couche-Tard is one of the strongest names in retail in the world and their presence in Ireland will transform the retail sector here.
Leading the company’s bid for ISO 17025 accreditation were quality assurance manager, Phil Saunders and regulatory affairs manager, Caroline Walton
Following a thorough UKAS evaluation of its laboratory’s quality management system, Morris Lubricants has become the first lubricants blender in the UK to achieve ISO 17025.
“This is the single most important international standard for calibration and testing laboratories,” said Phil Saunders, quality assurance manager.
“This accreditation demonstrates to our customers the professional competency of our laboratory and potentially creates an opening to develop new business as an internationally recognised testing centre for lubricants.
“A globally recognised standard, ISO 17025 will also support the continued growth of our export business.”
Gerald Malone at Thames Enterprise Park, the new chairman has considerable experience of energy at government level
Recently appointed as chairman and director of Fluid Oil, Gerald Malone is ‘fleshing out’ the company’s strategic objectives with the goal of a market listing in three to five years.
Based at Thames Enterprise Park on the site of the former Coryton refinery, Fluid Oil has successfully commissioned its latest Viscositor heavy oil upgrading demonstration reactor. This has replicated and surpassed the work completed on the reactors commissioned at the SINTEF Research Centre in Norway. Commercial plants are now being planned for the UK and other key heavy oil countries.
The 25-barrel per day demonstration plant conducted a number of tests including upgrading a 6API Orinoco crude to 25.5API at a liquid yield of 93.5%. The plant will now be used to undertake customer tests and provide engineering data required to build the first commercial plants which will be able to upgrade between 500bpd to 1,000bpd.
Viscositor – Fluid Oil’s environmentally friendly technology is predicted to process heavy crudes and dirty oils for between $2 to $5 /bbl with CAPEX of around 25% of the cost of traditional technologies.
Earlier this month, HKS Holdings completed its acquisition of the Leicestershire-based Brobot Group.
The family-owned group has acquired 30 filling stations in three months, taking its total number of sites to just under 60. Following the addition of 23 Brobot sites, the company now stretches from Yorkshire to Surrey; HKS expects annualised turnover to reach £250m, representing growth of over 150%.
Brobot was founded by John Bootle in 1978 with a single site at Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray and expanded through acquisitions over the years. John Bootle died tragically early in 1996, following which Brobot continued its successful growth under the chairmanship of his wife, Pat Bootle and her dedicated executive directors, Bridget Smith and Eddie Bright; the latter said the sale was ‘a great fit’ and he wished HKS ‘every success.’
Earlier this year HKS was in 10th position in Forecourt Trader’s Top 50 Indies with Brobot in 11th place; recent acquisitions would now put HKS in 5th position.
“We’re delighted at the addition of the new locations,” said Shane Thakrar, chief executive at HKS Holdings.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to the Bootle family, Eddie Bright and Bridget Smith from Brobot for trusting us with the acquisition and taking these sites forward in the future. We look forward to welcoming the new members of our team on board to work alongside our existing committed team of individuals.”
HKS, which took the business of the year title at the Midlands Asian business awards, has recently signed a deal with SPAR to brand the majority of its forecourt retail units – Brobot is predominantly Londis – as well as concluding deals with Subway and Costa.
www.hksretail.co.uk
www.brobot.co.uk
www.brobotfuels.co.uk
Tony Smith brings over 30 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector to the Peel Gas and Oil team.
Peel Gas & Oil, a member of United Kingdom Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) has expanded its team by appointing Tony Smith as commercial strategy manager.
Joining from SLR – where he led development of business strategy, including environmental services, relating to shale gas – Tony brings over 30 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector to the team.
Born in Bradford, Tony joined BP Research after gaining his PhD in oil degradation, kick-starting an accomplished career that would see him negotiate landmark gas contracts for ExxonMobil.
He will strengthen Peel Gas & Oil’s offer as an essential development partner to shale gas licence holders, helping to speed up delivery and de-risk investment via the company’s skills and assets in land, infrastructure and utilities.
“I’m extremely proud to be starting the next chapter of my career with Peel Gas & Oil,” said Tony.
“The commercial factors to getting an onshore industry off the ground are complex and require a collaborative approach. My experience of advising global clients on all aspects from sales and quality, to transportation and infrastructure will be a key aspect of my new role.”
Before joining Peel Gas & Oil, Tony also travelled the world during successful periods with Schlumberger and as a strategic adviser to some of the biggest players in the global gas market.
“Tony’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry and enviable experience of the market mean he will be a valued addition to our team,” said managing director Myles Kitcher.
“He joins us at an exciting time for the industry, as a swathe of new shale licences are due to be offered across the country. Our focus must now be to overcome the industry’s challenges and foster a connected approach that will deliver progress and stimulate a thriving supply chain in the UK.”
Earlier this year Peel Gas and Oil commissioned a study by AMION Consulting. The report Shale Gas – Creating a Supply Hub for the Bowland Shale – found that developing a supply hub in the Bowland Shale could see Northern economies benefit from a £30 billion boost. It also found that development of a supply chain to support the industry could also support 13,000 jobs – more than double the amount than without a supply hub. Download a copy at www.peelgasandoil.co.uk.www.peel.co.uk
Certas Energy vehicles are now equipped with ATEX-approved Hawk mobile computers from TouchStar Technologies
TouchStar Technologies has been working with Certas Energy to optimise its fuel delivery process.
Having grown organically and rapidly through acquisition, Certas Energy’s network of depots has grown. Finding there were multiple sites serving each region, the company reviewed its whole supply chain strategy.
The decision to implement in-vehicle technology was part of a wider strategic review with Certas Energy wanting to ensure its operation remained cost-effective, provided product on time and to agreed service levels.
“TouchStar and Certas Energy worked closely to define and implement a robust system capable of handling the transaction and delivery scenarios necessary for a service-driven heating oil distribution environment,” commented David Hauff, head of logistics services at Certas Energy.
“We anticipate a relatively short ROI based upon the genuine reduction in vehicle mileage and the administration associated with delivery errors. Of equal importance are the ‘softer’ benefits we have derived such as a delighted customer base.”
“I’m pleased to report that, six months after implementation, the system has met all of the key aims listed below:
• Reduction in paperwork by eradicating the need for delivery tickets
• Reduction in vehicle mileage
• Elimination of errors in delivery data via automation of updates
• Elimination of delays in delivery data via real-time transmission
• Increase in service levels through a more reactive service
• Optimisation of the scheduling process
TouchStar’s software application has been designed specifically around the requirements of a heating oil delivery process, handling the interfaces to the tachograph, various meter types, printer and navigation data. The system provides vehicle checks, loading instructions, delivery details and end of shift reports to HMRC approved standards.
In the vehicle TouchStar has supplied ATEX-approved Hawk mobile computers. The Hawk devices have a robust large screen interface for the driver that clearly presents delivery instructions and navigation guidance, as well as facilitating a signature capture option for customers. The live link between the driver and the back office facilitates the optimisation of the scheduling process by enabling a central view to be achieved leading to optimised fleet utilisation.www.touchstar.co.ukwww.certasenergy.co.uk
Paul Brown will help RE:Group to grow its fuel oils business with a particular focus on heavy users of heating oil
A specialist with 30 years’ chemicals and fuel industry experience has joined RE:Group (UK) as it continues to develop its industrial fuel oils division.
Paul Brown is the Hull-based company’s new industrial fuel sales manager and joins after 10 years as a waste management broker and solvent sales representative.
RE:Group, which has extensive experience in waste oil management and hydrocarbon recovery, currently handles more than 50 million litres of marine and industrial oil each year and sells specialist fuels to sectors such as brewing, food production, aggregates and abattoirs.
Commercial director Phil Evans said: “Paul has a wealth of relevant experience and has worked with a wide range of industries across Yorkshire, Lancashire and around the UK for many years. He has been brought on board to help us with the growth of our fuel oils business for a range of industries that are heavy users of heating oil.”
Paul began his career working in the stores of a chemicals company in Castleford, where he still lives. He then moved into the recycling industry working for several blue chip companies.
Paul’s appointment follows the retirement of fuel sales manager Derek Crossley, who has been with the company since 2012 and has enjoyed a 48-year career, including six years in the Royal Navy and 30 years in the fuel industry.
Established in 1996, RE:Group has three sites in Hull, including its new head office, and a collection site in North Lincolnshire. The company has in-house UKAS-accredited laboratories and invests significantly in research and development.www.regroup.uk.com
Lee Webb – a highly experienced engineer who will drive continuous improvement throughout Emco Wheaton’s factory
Lee Webb has been appointed as production manager at Emco Wheaton’s Margate plant in Kent.
“Lee is a highly experienced engineer with a wealth of experience,” said general manager Andrew Dawson-Goodey.
“His knowledge of operations and production within a manufacturing environment will further strengthen Emco Wheaton’s production facility as well as growing the company’s capabilities as customers’ requirements develop.
A graduate of the University of Warwick with an MSc in engineering business management and a post graduate award in manufacturing engineering systems, Lee joins Emco Wheaton from Cummins Power Generation, where his roles included, value stream transformation manager, senior manufacturing engineer/certified 6S green belt and operations manufacturing engineer.
“We’re delighted to welcome a production manager of Lee’s calibre to Emco Wheaton,” added Andrew.
Lee will be focusing on driving continuous improvement throughout the factory, to be able to deliver shorter cycle times and improve on time delivery.www.emcowheaton.com
(l-r) Jim Hunt and Kevin Kelleher who were involved in the production of Carbery Plastics’s first tank – a 1550L – 30 years ago, with Cal and Michael McCarthy beside the 650L Combi R – Carbery’s newest design
This month Carbery Plastics is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the launch of a brand new oil tank.
Over the last three decades, Carbery Plastics has embraced new design technology, developed a new generation of fuel tanks and welcomed the next generation of the McCarthy family to the business. The company’s 40-strong workforce is managed by an experienced team with a passion for rotational moulding.
Offering innovative fuel storage solutions and robust mobile fuel pumps, Carbery Plastics produces high quality oil tanks to European Standard EN13341 ensuring that tanks are fit for purpose. Not only does its oil tank range meet European Standards, all tanks are fully OFTEC registered.
Since the initial hand drawn designs of the company’s first oil tank, design techniques and technology have come on leaps and bounds. CAD has rapidly improved the design process allowing Carbery Plastics to simulate and modify designs more efficiently and more effectively whilst Finite Element Analysis tools enable the company to simulate the strain tanks must endure once in real world use.
Carbery Plastics has a strong presence in the agricultural and construction sectors across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Backed by design improvements and increasing knowledge of customer requirements, the company was quick to develop both single skin and bunded oil tanks; the latter now required for all commercial, industrial and institutional installations in Ireland and the UK.
To mark its 30th anniversary, Carbery Plastics is launching a new low capacity oil tank. The ultra-compact Carbery 650 Litre Combi R is ideal for customers seeking a smaller tank for security and cash flow reasons; it also works well for households with renewable technologies where oil demand is less.www.carberyplastics.com
Members of the Tuffa team celebrate their award winning success
Staffordshire-based Tuffa Tanks, which recently supplied an oil tank to the country’s National Memorial Arboretum, has been awarded the title of manufacturer of the year.
The award, which was in recognition of ‘the ever-growing manufacturing sector in Burton, South Derbyshire and Uttoxeter’ was given by the Burton Mail.
Looking for companies that had excelled in the manufacturing sector since July 2012, the judges considered all aspects of the manufacturing process including product design, testing, development, production, marketing, sales and overall business performance.
“This was one proud moment in the history of Tuffa,” said Charlie Goring.
“The years 2013-2015 saw some tremendous changes which were only possible through the hard work and dedication given by all the Tuffa team.
Illustrating the diverse list of Tuffa’s customers, a 1350SLB bunded oil tank was recently delivered to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire. The tank will supply a jumbo 200watt heater which warms a large outdoor marquee used for various events throughout the year.www.tuffa.co.uk
Launching CO Awareness month in Northern Ireland at the beginning of November
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Month has been running throughout November. In Northern Ireland, OFTEC has been warning householders of the dangers after an increasing number of incidents across the country this year.
Despite major growth in stove sales, many people are unaware of the connection between CO and fossil fuels. Research in the Republic of Ireland during its CO awareness week in September found that only 50% of consumers were aware of the potential risk from oil heating and just 40% for coal.
“It’s very important that householders understand the importance of checking their home heating systems annually,” said OFTEC Ireland manager David Blevings.
“An oil boiler should be serviced correctly by a qualified technician – a boiler clean will not give protection from a potential carbon monoxide threat. When conducting a boiler service, OFTEC technicians use a flue gas analyser as standard, which gives the boiler an efficiency rating; more importantly it checks for carbon monoxide spillage.
OFTEC is also establishing a new solid fuel register of qualified heating technicians and installers which clearly details those who have been specifically trained to safely install and maintain solid and multi-fuel stoves.
“People need to be aware of the dangers and ensure stoves are installed and maintained correctly,” added David. “If a flue is installed incorrectly this can lead to a fire starting in the attic or a carbon monoxide leak. Like all fuel burning appliances, stoves should only be installed by a competent person and then serviced at least once a year for optimum safety and peace of mind.”
Richard Meredith, chair of the CO safety group and head of gas safety at the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland said:
“Now in its third year, we’re delighted that OFTEC continues to support this initiative to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide can kill and even low-level exposure over a long period can cause lasting damage to your health.”
“We would agree with OFTEC’s advice for consumers to ensure all fuel burning appliances – such as heaters, boilers and cookers – are serviced at least annually by a registered engineer. And, all chimneys and flues should be inspected annually and swept, if required, by a registered technician. As an additional precaution, you should also install an audible carbon monoxide alarm.”
“The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often difficult to diagnose as it mimics the symptoms of other common illnesses such as flu and headaches. Everyone should be aware of its dangers and know what measures to take to protect themselves and others.”watchout.hseni.gov.uk/