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Back in September 2011, Fuel Oil News editor Jane Hughes visited Heathrow Airport to learn more about the airside fuel operation at Airport Energy. In May, a return visit was made to learn about a new telematics system developed by AE Telematics
“We’ve had a very good couple of years,” said executive chairman Phil Wright. “The reconstruction of Terminal 2 (opened last month), certainly gave an excellent boost to fuel sales.”
Airport Energy fuels over 7000 vehicles and pieces of equipment that are essential to the smooth running of the airport. Fuel is not the only commodity that this company supplies.
“With fuel being the biggest cost in running any vehicle or piece of equipment, everyone’s desperate for data to help them better manage both costs and fleets more effectively,” explained Phil. “With today’s technology just about anything can be measured and we can now provide our customers with a complete fuel management solution to include a fuel, servicing and tracking record.”
Adding telematics
The company has recently added a third tier to its well-tried and tested automated vehicle recognition system (AVR) fuel management system offering. Already benefiting from complete control and security over fuel usage and more effective fleet management, the company’s customers can now access fleet telematics.
“Back in 2000, Heathrow’s suppliers had surprisingly little knowledge or control of fuel usage and costs. The introduction of a fuel management system was a revelation to many with each additional piece of information introduced since being very well received,” explained Phil.
“We trialed our new telematics system with our 11 drivers and also with British Airways, with endless insights into individual vehicle and driver performance, it was found to be a no brainer. Using telematics shows where driver training can save money.
“The technology being used stems from Formula 1 racing where the fine tuning of a vehicle coupled with the performance of the driver is paramount to its success,” said technical engineer Ian Breckon when explaining the telematics system.
“Our aim is for customers not to waste a single drop of fuel. We want to maximise vehicle utilisation around the airport; by April 2015 every vehicle will have a tracker enabling every movement/incident to be tracked via a sensor.
Dependant on the detail required, standard or customised reporting is available. This covers items such as fuel usage, speed, harsh braking and turning, CO2 and NoX emissions – as environmental legislation steps up a gear, NoX emissions from transport are becoming the focus of attention.
“We don’t want to bombard the user with endless data so it’s possible to select and condense information into focused reports,” said Ian. “From information received users can then make informed decisions relating to relative cost effectiveness as vehicles and equipment age, using it to compare the performance of different makes/models.
“Warnings about excess speed can be set up; if the speed limit is exceeded an email or sms can be sent within 20 seconds. The aim of this data is to educate and improve the bottom line, not to punish. If desired, a reward system can be set up for drivers/operators.
“The integration of fuel usage data from our fully automated refueling system together with vehicle tracking data provides a unique total vehicle and fleet package in one place, giving complete control with easy access to all the data,” added Ian.
Airport accolade
Heathrow Airport has 1,500 suppliers; Airport Energy is now a top 55 strategic supplier.
“High standards are demanded by the airport authority so this is a real accolade,” said Phil. “From our origins as a specialised fuel supplier we’ve developed the business to provide a total fuel and vehicle management package.
As a strategic supplier the company participates in quarterly meetings with the airside director responsible for procurement. The meetings review the supplier’s contract performance, innovation, KPIs and successes.
Branching out
Having had considerable success with its fuel management system in the airport arena, the company took a stand at this year’s CV Show, to raise awareness of the system with a wider audience.
“It was good to dip our toe in the water at such a big show,” said Phil. “Because everyone wants to measure business performance, telematics is definitely flavour of the month and we had a lot of interest.”
Not standing still
Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport, sees 70% of the UK’s air traffic activity. At the time of visiting, plans for the airport’s further development had just been published. Whilst there will be continued development of terminals there is currently less construction activity.
“Heathrow is in desperate need of a third runway,” said Phil. “But, this is a political football at the moment, and only time will tell if this is ever going to happen.
“Whilst Airport Energy will continue its long term contractual arrangements with the airport, there will be many challenges in the meantime, Phil said. “It’s essential to continually look at new areas, you cannot simply stand still.”
On 2nd August 2015, Phil will celebrate 50 years in the fuel industry, it is very clear that time has not dimmed his enthusiasm for the industry.
In mid May, Craggs Energy rolled out Oil Price Protect which offers a new way for domestic customers to buy their kerosene
The idea was initially sparked by conversations with customers worried about rising oil prices and hefty winter fuel bills.
“Top of the customers’ wish list was cheaper kerosene, next was being able to avoid the unknown when it came to winter fuel bills,” said managing director Chris Bingham. “Whilst we couldn’t affect a change to the former due to the many variables that control the price of oil, we felt we were in a position to do something about the latter. Having assisted commercial customers with their annual fuel needs via hedging, we looked at a version to suit our domestic customers.”
Having a technology background, enabled Chris to build an online platform and start testing Oil Price Protect in selected areas in April last year. Checking with the FPS to ensure that the scheme met the criteria for the Code of Practice, over the last six months the scheme has been ‘tested to death’ reports Chris.
To get an Oil Price Protect quote, a customer simply enters their postcode, email address and yearly kerosene consumption. An annual fixed price is then sent to the customer within 5-6 minutes. Prices do vary slightly across the UK given distances. There are payment options and customers paying the annual cost upfront receive a discount. Fuel is then delivered as and when required throughout the year.
Trials, feedback and going live
“Before going live we wanted to be sure that the back end system could cope. The trial also gave us the opportunity to get valuable feedback which in turn helped us refine the offering now launched. To date 95% of those who took part in the trial have signed up to continue buying their kerosene through Oil Price Protect,” said Chris.
“Prior to Oil Price Protect, like most other distributors, we did offer different ways to pay including direct debit. Customers told us that in common with other utility bills, they were alarmed when direct debits suddenly shot up. Our customers wanted more control – a pensioner on a fixed income feels more secure knowing exactly what they have to pay as does a family on a tight budget. People don’t get excited by the oil price falling but they do get scared when the price keeps rising. A fixed price may be slightly more expensive but it is good value if you want or need price protection.”
Following the trial, all Craggs Energy’s domestic customers have received a letter explaining the benefits of Oil Price Protect. Picked up by the national media, Chris has recently spoken about the scheme on local radio stations in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Scotland and Cambridgeshire.
Extending Oil Price Protect
Not only are Craggs Energy’s own domestic customers able to gain peace of mind, so are those of its partner distributors nationwide.
“It’s still very early days but we’re encouraged by the response. Yes, it’s more expensive than today’s spot price but the reality is that no one can really get cheap fuel in the winter; but fixing the price does give customers peace of mind.
Although we expect the scheme to be relatively low key this year, we’re looking for more mutually beneficial partnerships to spread the scheme.
“We do get asked about what happens if the price falls; the answer to that is don’t fix your price. But if a domestic customer is worried about the oil price rising, it makes sense to fix the price for 12 months in advance. There’s no more shopping around, fixed payments can be spread throughout the year and if the price did go up in winter, they’re protected,” added Chris.
The start up of gas production in 1967 from the Leman field in the North Sea heralded a very substantial and ambitious infrastructure project, spanning the 1970s and early 1980s.
The construction of a national grid was designed to bring this newly discovered resource to the major markets and points of consumption around the country, where previously distribution of locally manufactured gas was limited to networks in the main conurbations.
The completed network, known as the National Transmission System (NTS) and owned by National Grid plc, makes gas available today to approximately 11 million domestic, commercial and industrial users, including 40 power stations and comprises approximately 4,200 miles of pipelines and 24 compressor stations. Gas enters the system through seven import points and intermediate storage around the network is provided at eight inland locations.
Gas to end users is supplied through the Local Transmission System, comprising eight distribution networks and circa 170,000 miles of pipelines.
The above infrastructure supports the largest gas market in Europe at just under 80 billion M3 in 2012 (70 million tonnes of oil equivalent) – down from a peak of 97 billion M3 in 2004 and the country’s second largest primary energy source, at 35% (versus 38% for oil).
Its two principal sources of usage are in power generation, accounting for 34%, and in domestic/residential heating at 33%. Gas accounts for about 40% of the fuel used in power generation and 80% of that used for residential heating.
The National Transmission System
The seven gas import points for the NTS points are at St Fergus, Teesside, Easington, Theddlethorpe, Bacton, Burton Point and Barrow. Three of these facilities – St Fergus, Easington (including Rough) and Bacton – process about 80% of the gas entering the country.
The next key link is the network of eight operational storage sites that act as buffers around the system and which fall in to three broad categories:-
Long range – primarily to accommodate seasonal demand swings
Medium range – which have shorter injection/withdrawal times to respond more quickly to short term demand and/or price changes
Short range – to enable rapid/instantaneous delivery of gas in to the system
The storage facilities themselves fall into two main types – depleted oil/gas fields and salt caverns.
Recent developments in the current millennium have necessitated material new additions to the storage network in the form of LNG facilities.
Recent developments
A landmark was reached in 2004, since when the country has not been able to satisfy indigenous gas demand from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) in the North Sea, with production there having declined by almost 60%.
Consequently reliance on imported sources has had to increase, with UKCS supplies now only covering circa 45% of national requirements. Imports are sourced from three principal supply points – the Norwegian sector of the North Sea (just over 40%), as LNG (circa 40% of which 90%+ is from Qatar) and the Netherlands Groningen field (circa 15%) via the interconnector in to Bacton; small quantities ( around 5% ) are sourced from Belgium.
So LNG imports now service just under a quarter of the country’s gas requirements and to accommodate this new source three substantial new storage complexes have been commissioned since 2005. These are:-
Jordan Ingoe, Ingoe Oils
“At Ingoe Oils we like to take a proactive approach to selling. Firstly and most importantly we always make sure we know the geographical area that we want to target and the customer sector populating it so that we can quote competitively on the appropriate product. We have a CRM Dynamics package in place which links through to our back office Fuelsoft software. This allows us to import data and create customer links and leads. We can use this package to effectively target customers through email and postal marketing for either kerosene or gas oil depending on the weather conditions. We also attend several local summer agricultural shows to meet new and existing customers. Our sales team speaks to both new and existing customers on a daily basis to make sure that we meet their fuel requirements and that they’re happy with the service and price that we provide.”
Neil Flynn, Linton Fuel Oils
“The key factor to securing business through adopting a proactive sales culture is knowledge – know your customers and understand how their business operates. Confidence is gained by knowing that your commercial offer would almost certainly influence their buying habits. You also need to be fully aware of all competitor activity within your market sector. The ideal scenario is to have a keen seller and a keen buyer. Successful businesses purchase what they need, not what they want. Remember that the customer has to buy from someone at some point, so just ask yourself one simple question why wouldn’t a customer buy from you? Sales do not always have to come from structured campaigns, but from seizing the moment, turning enquiries into opportunities – think outside the box, appreciate what constitutes as a sale: a product or service, increasing margin retention, adding volume or introducing another product.” Finally, successful business transactions come from good relationships and not always good prices – people deal with people!!
Two petrol stations have been raided and seven men and two women from across southern England have been arrested for their involvement in a suspected £3m fuel fraud, during an operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Around 170 HMRC officers, assisted by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Sussex and Hampshire Police, searched 12 residential premises, five business premises and two petrol stations in East and West Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hampshire and Somerset.
The investigation is focused on the suspected illegal purchase and sale of rebated kerosene and biofuel to motorists as duty-paid road diesel. It is believed the fraud is worth an estimated £3m in unpaid excise duty and VAT.
All those arrested were questioned by HMRC investigators and released on bail while enquiries continue.
Meanwhile, in Co Tyrone, a man and a woman have been arrested and nearly 8,000 litres of fuel seized as part of an ongoing HMRC investigation into a suspected VAT and excise fraud worth an estimated £300,000.
HMRC officers, accompanied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, searched a private address and a retail site in the Cookstown area where they seized computers and business records linked to the fraud investigation.
And a woman has been arrested after a laundering plant, capable of producing nearly 3.6 million litres of illicit fuel a year and evading over £2 million in lost duty and taxes, was discovered by HMRC officers during a search of domestic premises in Co Armagh. Four tonnes of toxic waste was safely removed from the site.
Phillips 66 staff prepare for the Grand Union Canal Challenge
Phillips 66 has raised vital funds for ILEAP, a South Warwickshire charity that provides inclusive community-based leisure activities for vulnerable children and adults with additional needs.
In July a team from Phillips 66 took part in the Grand Union Canal Challenge, raising a total of £6,300 for the charity. Twenty seven employees faced the tough challenge of walking, cycling, or kayaking 60 miles along the canal in just 24 hours. The distance of 60 miles was chosen because 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of JET, the fuel brand of Phillips 66.
Peter Bazeley, ILEAP manager, said: “The money raised by Phillips 66 will pay for the 2014 ILEAP summer holiday activity programme, providing over 100 disabled people with personalised activities throughout summer.”
Pete George, managing director, Phillips 66 UK & Ireland marketing, added: “We pride ourselves in giving back to our local communities. It’s part of our legacy and identity as a company. Here at our Warwick office we strongly believe in giving back to our communities in various ways. ILEAP provides fantastic support to families throughout the region so we were delighted to donate all the funds raised through our Grand Union Canal Challenge to this very worthy cause.”www.phillips66.com
Jeremy Hawksley, director general, OFTEC
Targets set out in the impact assessment produced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) state that Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will support around 750,000 renewable heat installations by 2020 – that is approximately 10,800 new accreditations per month.
Latest figures from OFGEM show that since the RHI was launched in April, 5,158 renewable heating systems have been accredited under the scheme. At the current rate of take up, DECC’s goal of 10,800 new accreditations per month looks unrealistic.
According to OFTEC, a simple, all-inclusive boiler scrappage scheme would go much further than the costly and complex RHI in helping the government achieve its ambitious goal of 80% less carbon emissions by 2050. This is because it would appeal to a far wider audience.
Jeremy Hawksley, director general at OFTEC, comments: “Even before the RHI was launched, we voiced concerns that the scheme would suffer the same fate as the Green Deal. RHI payments only come into play once the renewable heating system has been installed and the average consumer simply cannot afford to get started due to the high upfront costs of between £8,000 and £19,000 to install these technologies.
“Whilst we recognise that the initial take-up of any such scheme is often low and that momentum may build, there is going to have to be an enormous surge of interest in the RHI to meet government targets. We are doubtful that with such a costly and complex scheme this will happen.”
Jeremy Hawksley continues: “What the country needs is a simple, accessible scheme which consumers can really get to grips with. We already know that a boiler scrappage scheme works as a similar initiative in 2010 saw 120,000 old, inefficient boilers replaced.”
OFTEC’s concern about lack of interest in the domestic RHI is supported by a recent survey conducted by OFTEC and Watson Petroleum of 750 oil heated homes. This revealed that just 4% would consider switching to an air source heat pump, with 73% choosing to upgrade to a new oil condensing boiler.
Jeremy Hawksley concludes: “The government needs to think again and instead of pushing expensive renewables which will only appeal to the wealthy few, it should channel its resources into realistic boiler upgrade schemes that will encourage millions of home owners to take simple yet effective energy efficiency measures which will collectively make a greater contribution to CO2 reduction targets.”
OFTEC’s view that only the relatively wealthy can afford the high initial investment. As such it’s clearly a regressive policy. This is important because rural dwellers and, by extension oil heating users, contain a higher proportion of people living in fuel poverty than the population as a whole. So the people who most need help to upgrade and improve their energy efficiency are effectively prevented from accessing RHI because the upfront cost is unaffordable – exacerbated because their homes are often difficult to improve. By contrast, the scrappage scheme that we advocate would be much cheaper both for homeowners and for government to implement and more likely to be successful as a result.
The UK will guarantee a 230-million-pound ($394 million) loan for an upgrade of Ineos AG’s petrochemical plant at Grangemouth in Scotland, protecting jobs ahead of September’s independence referendum.
The loan guarantee will allow Ineos to start work immediately on building Europe’s biggest ethane storage tank.
“The Grangemouth guarantee is fantastic news for Scotland’s economic future, and for the UK’s energy security,” said chief secretary to the treasury, Danny Alexander. “Our action is creating the right conditions for more investment in our infrastructure, helping to build a stronger economy and a fairer society across the country.”
The loan will secure thousands of jobs, and the work is vital if the refinery is to continue operating after 2017, says the treasury. The announcement comes as ministers are seeking to press the benefits of Scotland staying part of the UK ahead of the September 18th independence referendum.
Alexander, who represents a Scottish seat in the House of Commons, and chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, have repeatedly made the economic case for the union.
Ineos, a British company which relocated to Switzerland for tax purposes, is pioneering the import of cheaper ethane from the US as North Sea production wanes and higher energy and feedstock costs squeeze commodity chemical producers in western Europe. The Grangemouth plant, the company’s biggest, combines both chemical production and oil refining.
MFG managing director, Jeremy Clarke
Motor Fuel Group (MFG) has signed an agreement to purchase the retail assets of Murco Petroleum Limited (Murco), which is scheduled to close by the end of September.
Jeremy Clarke, managing director, MFG said: “We are delighted with this exciting transaction. The signing of this agreement supports our stated objective to grow Motor Fuel Group into a significant force in the UK forecourt sector.”
MFG currently operates 60 stations throughout the UK. Operating primarily under the BP and Jet fuel brands, the company also offers the Costcutter brand at forecourts.
The acquisition of Murco will add another 228 company stations to the MFG network and a 200 plus dealer network to the Group. All of these stations will continue to offer fuel under the Murco brand. The forecourt shops on the Murco company station network also operate under the Costcutter brand. www.motorfuelgroup.com
OPW has signed an agreement to acquire all the outstanding shares of Liquip International.
David Crouse, OPW president of OPW, commented: “The acquisition of Liquip is another important step in the global growth strategy of OPW. Liquip significantly strengthens OPW’s fluid handling position in Australia and throughout Asia Pacific. By combining our products, we create a truly best in class product portfolio meeting the unique requirements of our chemical and industrial and tank truck customers.”
Liquip expects to generate revenue of approximately USD $40 million in 2014. The transaction is subject to certain customary and other closing conditions, and is expected to close in the third quarter.
Lubricants supplier, Seletar Services, is relaunching its Great Yarmouth site following an investment of more than £250,000 to develop new office and depot facilities.
Seletar Services – part of Certas Energy – hosted an open day recently to show customers, including Boston Putford, Shell Exploration, Seajacks and Air Products, the improvements which have been made since the site was first acquired in February 2012.
Ross Buckland, head of lubricants at Certas Energy, said: “The investment in the site is testament to our commitment to maintaining a long-term presence at our Great Yarmouth base, in order to provide the best possible service to our customers.
“The open day was a great opportunity to catch up with our customers in person and show them the work we’ve done.”
Seletar Services is one of the largest stockists and suppliers of all lubricants used in the wind farm and oil and gas industries operating in the southern North Sea.
The marine division of Certas has depots in many major UK ports, including the Isle of Wight, Port of Tyne, Isle of Man, Orkney, Southampton and Shetland Islands. It also has facilities in Aberdeen, on the Thames, in Dundee, and in Oban, as well as a nationwide delivery infrastructure.
As reported in July, Essar’s 1000 employees at the Stanlow Oil Refinery are being offered a voluntary severance package, now rumoured to be worth a fixed-sum of £30,000.
All employees will be offered the “leaver incentive” package, but not all “volunteers” will be accepted by management.
“The offer is available to all employees, but will be granted on a discretionary basis, dependent on the right blend of skills and experience required to help us build a positive and long term future for our business,” said Ian Cotton, head of communications and community for Essar Oil (UK) Ltd.
In a statement explaining the move, Mr Cotton said: “Essar Oil UK announced in February our intention to increase the production of higher value products from the Stanlow refinery by closing the smaller of our two crude refining units later this year.
“As a result of this optimised configuration going forward, organisational changes may be required to create additional efficiencies.
“Before considering any changes, Essar Oil UK has, in conjunction with a proposal from a specially formed Joint Working Group of employees from across the company, decided to offer an entirely voluntary leaver incentive scheme to staff who may be considering alternative options for their future career.
“The amount on offer is a fixed sum to all employees – but we consider that detail confidential between ourselves and our staff.”
Essar have denied reports it intends to sell Britain’s second largest oil refinery, which it bought from Shell in 2011 for $350 million. The refinery supplies around 15 per cent of the UK’s transport fuels, which equates to an annual production of more than two billion litres of jet fuel, three billion litres of petrol and 3.5 billion litres of diesel. It also processes over 11 million tonnes of crude oil each year.
The company, part of the Indian Essar Group, said refining margins had been “exceptionally poor” but stressed its commitment to working in the region and in the UK.
Gulf Aviation supplies fuel at airports throughout the UK
Gulf Aviation, part of national fuel and lubricants supplier Certas Energy, has significantly extended its presence in Scotland after securing fuel supply contracts with Lufthansa, Virgin Airways and Thomas Cook at Aberdeen International, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.
The deal with Germany’s national carrier also includes fuel supply to three other major airlines, which are owned by or affiliated to Lufthansa, operating at the Scottish airports – Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, Edelweiss and Austrian Airlines.
Alex Murphy, head of Gulf Aviation, said: “Our contracts with Lufthansa and Thomas Cook are the latest in a series of significant contract wins, which have seen us extend our scope in the commercial aviation industry across the UK among national and international airlines. This new deal will give us an increased presence in three major Scottish airports, and we intend to build on this success going forward.”
The contracts are the latest in a series of Scotland-based wins for the company, whose client base in the country now includes Norwegian ASA, Flybe, Stobart Air, EasyJet, Monarch Airlines and Loganair.
Gulf Aviation’s wider fuel supply portfolio currently includes London City Airport, Blackpool International Airport and City of Derry Airport.www.gulfaviation.co.uk
Millbrook will exhibit its extensive range of facilities and capabilities at this year’s Low Carbon Vehicle event on 10-11 September 2014.
The annual event, which attracts visitors from across the globe and combines a technology exhibition, Ride & Drive, networking activities and an extensive seminar programme, is the ideal forum for the business to reinforce its message that there is more to Millbrook and to demonstrate to current and potential new customers its full service offering.
Millbrook’s engineers perform repeatable tests on all types of vehicles in a secure and safe environment. With a range of facilities for components and full vehicles, the company can perform tests using engine dynamometers, environmental chambers, crash laboratories and advanced emissions testing systems.
CEO, Alex Burns, says: “Our extensive laboratory facilities, 70km of varied test tracks, including hill routes, high speed areas and challenging off road courses and 45 years’ of engineering, test and validation experience, makes Millbrook an ideal partner at any stage in the development and launch of the vehicles of tomorrow.
“We have some exciting plans for the future of Millbrook, including a new technology park and upgraded engine test facilities and I look forward to sharing these forthcoming investments with visitors at LCV.”
www.millbrook.co.uk
www.cenex-lcv.co.uk
OFTEC has teamed up with the Environment Agency and the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) to launch a new ‘Tank Safe’ campaign, urging the one million oil using homes in England, Wales and Scotland to carry out crucial safety checks on their storage tanks during the summer months.
It is estimated that at least one in three oil tanks currently in use are past their life expectancy of 20 years and should be replaced. Failing to do so could result in leaks which can be costly to both the owner and the environment.
Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC says: “It’s easy to forget about oil tanks during the summer months when central heating systems are not in use. That’s why we’ve launched the ‘Tank Safe’ campaign, offering consumers advice and guidance on how important it is to check their tanks now so they are ready for when the colder weather arrives.
“Fortunately leaks are rare, but the consequences of oil spills aren’t just inconvenient for the homeowner, they can be a serious issue for the environment, depending on how much oil has leaked.”
OFTEC recommends that tanks are inspected by a competent person, such as an OFTEC registered technician, at least once a year as part of a normal central heating system service.
Mark Askew of FPS adds: “It’s important for consumers to have their tanks checked by a qualified technician to ensure it’s in the best condition and to alert householders to potential problems before they happen. Losing a tank of oil could be expensive, but this cost is minimal compared to the potential costs of a spill.”
www.oftec.co.uk
www.oilsave.org.uk
Norbert Dentressangle has reported “steady growth and improved profitability” across all its business divisions in its half-year results released at the end of July.
First half 2014 revenues were up by 13.4% to $2,191 million, whilst the group’s earnings, before the deduction of interest, tax and expenses (EBITA), were up by 19% to $65.5 million. This produced an operating margin of 3.0% compared to 2.9% in the previous period.
Commenting on the results, Norbert Dentressangle’s CEO, Hervé Montjotin, said: “The first half of 2014 took place in a European economic environment which was boosted by growth in the UK economy and recovery in Spain. Against this backdrop, and despite flat activity in France, Norbert Dentressangle capitalised on its ever expanding global footprint and its positioning within buoyant sectors. Not only did we achieve revenue growth of 13.4% compared to the first half of 2013, but – and this is more important – we generated EBITA growth of over 19% for the same period.
“Our three business lines – logistics, transport and air & sea – are all well on course in terms of growth and profitability, in accordance with our expectations.”
The share of revenues generated outside France amounted to 61%, while the UK, the second largest contributor to group revenues, accounted for nearly 30% of total sales for the period.
The transport division posted first half 2014 revenues of €1,067 million, up 5.6% from the same period in 2013 and up 4.1% like for like. During the period, Norbert Dentressangle reinforced its position in the UK bulk tanker transport market with the acquisition of Hopkinson, a company with annual revenues of around £4 million.
With more than 14,700 employees across 195 sites, 1,700 vehicles, and around 3.5 million sq.m of warehousing, Norbert Dentressangle is one of the UK’s largest transport and logistics companies.
www.norbert-dentressangle.co.uk
Phillips 66 received the prestigious Gold Award for Occupational Health and Safety, together with two ‘Guardian Angel’ awards at the 2014 RoSPA awards ceremony recently.
RoSPA plays a unique role in UK health and safety, campaigning for safety change and providing services and support to help organisations to become safer and healthier places in which to work.
Russell Best, HSE adviser at Phillips 66, comments: “Receiving these awards is recognition of a far-reaching effort throughout the whole organisation. Safety is the number one priority in our industry, so it’s not surprising that safety is the first of our three core values: safety, honour & commitment.
“All staff are encouraged to share good practices in all areas, especially when it comes to safety. We work with JET dealers, distributors, contractors and hauliers to ensure they are aligned with us on their awareness and competency from a health and safety perspective.
“We achieved a zero recordable injury rate during 2013, which was an exceptional achievement and was the culmination of a strategy of strong leadership, contractor management, integration of HSE across all business segments and continuous behavioural focus.”
For the first time RoSPA’s presented specific ‘Guardian Angel’ awards this year to celebrate the work of individuals who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to improve the safety and wellbeing of others. Phillips 66 was delighted to have two winners of this new accolade – HSE adviser Russell Best, and Dr Nick Tait, who provides occupational health support to Phillips 66 in its Warwick office.
David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “Organisations that gain recognition for their health and safety management systems, such as Phillips 66, contribute to a collective raising of the bar for other organisations to aspire to. We offer them our congratulations.”