Companies 14
Scottish fuel distribution business Oilfast is running a Local Hero Scheme aimed at recognising and rewarding the efforts of both key workers and members of the public, who have supported their local communities during the pandemic.
Joe Carroll, sales director at Oilfast, said; “Our Local Hero scheme is a great way of supporting those who support us, and their local community. In total, we have had seven winners in Scotland and one in Wales – each will receive 500 litres of heating oil when they require it.”
Mark Robinson, pictured, was the winner from Oilfast’s Insch depot.
Another winner, Carl Stewart from Cromdale, was called ‘selfless’ for his positive contributions in his local community, including fundraising for local causes, helping locals with shopping and prescription deliveries and arranging activities to bring the community together.
No strangers to giving back to the community, Phillips 66 Limited has gone the extra mile to thank NHS staff and key workers through generous charitable donations.
The company helped out locally in Humber, donating 12,000 gloves, 1,500 waterproof gowns and 100 goggles to Grimsby Hospital in support of first responders.
Phillips 66 has also been on hand helping those who have been isolating at home. A spokesperson from Phillips 66 said; “In partnership with Sodexo, the on-site catering team, we helped deliver food and essential supplies to neighbours of the refinery who were shielding.”
In addition to this, over £40,000 has been raised for the domestic abuse charities Blue Door and Hull Women’s Refuge and £1,000 has been donated to support an additional first responders van on the road.
The company also donated 1,000 acetates to support staff volunteers making 3D printed face visors and in a move to help the elderly stay connected with their families, an iPad has been donated to a local nursing home to assist with video calls and remote communications.
The Prax Group has signed an agreement with Total to purchase Lindsey Oil Refinery and its associated logistic assets. With a strong track record of integrating acquisitions and managing assets in the oil value chain, the Prax Group is a long-standing and trusted partner of Total.
The acquisition will bring new investment to the refinery and underlines the Prax Group’s determination to support the local economy and the wider community.
“The Prax Group’s long-term strategy is to be fully integrated across the oil value chain from upstream to downstream,” said Sanjeev Kumar, CEO of the Prax Group. “Acquiring Lindsey Oil Refinery is a natural progression for the Prax Group, providing the opportunity to integrate the refinery and associated product flows into the company’s UK distribution and retail footprint, which operates under the Harvest Energy brand. We look forward to continuing to provide a secure supply of energy to new and existing customers.”
The sale will place the refinery at the heart of the Prax Group’s strategic network. Sanjeev Kumar continued, “We are committed to all Lindsey Oil Refinery employees, who are a key element for the future success of the refinery.”
Lindsey Oil Refinery saw a major investment from Total in 2015, which modernised and streamlined the refinery.
“Since selling our British retail network in 2011, the Lindsey Oil Refinery has not been part of Total’s downstream system. With this agreement to sell, the refinery will be at the heart of the Prax Group’s UK network and it will be able to add value more easily”, said Thomas Behrends, general manager of Lindsey Oil Refinery. “We are proud of the team and the work we have accomplished together.”
The completion date of the acquisition is expected before the end of 2020.
Pictured left to right: Gaz Owens, Ryan Evans, Greg Walters and Steve Cristofaro. Picture by Marketing Manager, Jake Hicks, at the opening of the GTBAL Our Place store, in April 2019
Valero Operations Shift workers at the Pembroke refinery have donated another £25,000 to charity.
The previous generosity of this Valero team was reported in Fuel Oils News’ June issue, when a donation of the same amount was given to PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship) to help those in need during the pandemic lockdown.
As well as PATCH, this time donations have gone to three local charities focusing predominantly on mental health; Get the Boys a Lift (GTBAL), PATCH and SNAP Pembrokeshire.
A Valero spokesperson said; “A huge well done to our operations staff for raising funds to help support those that need it the most.”Messages of thanks
Since the opening of its shop in April 2019, GTBAL has provided free counselling and follow-up sessions to over 110 people.
GTBAL’s Ryan Evans said; “The mental health impact that COVID-19 has had and will continue to have is immense. Everyone needs to recognise that this pandemic will impact our communities in so many different ways. Helping those who have found this a tough time is the right thing to do. Thank you, Valero staff.”
SNAP is a specialist playgroup that helps children with additional needs with their development and education.
SNAP’s Cindy Jenkins commented; “This donation will help many families who are struggling with childcare for vulnerable children in this really difficult time. It is amazing that Valero staff are reaching out to help those in need. It won’t be forgotten.”
Valero has worked with PATCH over the years. Since 2008, the charity has been giving free food parcels, clothing and household items to those in financial need in Pembrokeshire.
“Valero has already given us the largest donation we have ever received but to have even more is beyond our expectations,” said Tracy Olin. PATCH manager. “Valero staff have really done something special and we can’t thank them enough.”
Stephen Thornton, manager public affairs, concluded; “The shift workers from the Valero Operations Department at Pembroke refinery have again performed an act of overwhelming generosity. They have chosen three well-loved causes in our county focusing pre-dominantly on mental health. This pandemic has reached into all our lives and the best we can do is to continue to help and look after each other.”
The Prax Group has signed an agreement with Total to purchase Lindsey Oil Refinery and its associated logistic assets, with the deal subject to the conditions of sale being met. With a strong track record of integrating acquisitions and managing assets in the oil value chain, the Prax Group is a long-standing and trusted partner of Total. The acquisition will bring new investment to the refinery and underlines the Prax Group’s determination to support the local economy and the wider community. “The Prax Group’s long-term strategy is to be fully integrated across the oil value chain from upstream to downstream,” said Sanjeev Kumar, CEO of the Prax Group. “Acquiring Lindsey Oil Refinery is a natural progression for the Prax Group, providing the opportunity to integrate the refinery and associated product flows into the company’s UK distribution and retail footprint, which operates under the Harvest Energy brand. We look forward to continuing to provide a secure supply of energy to new and existing customers.” The sale will place the refinery at the heart of the Prax Group’s strategic network.Sanjeev Kumar continued, “We are committed to all Lindsey Oil Refinery employees, who are a key element for the future success of the refinery.” Lindsey Oil Refinery saw a major investment from Total in 2015, which modernised and streamlined the refinery. “Since selling our British retail network in 2011, the Lindsey Oil Refinery has not been part of Total’s downstream system. With this agreement to sell, the refinery will be at the heart of the Prax Group’s UK network and it will be able to add value more easily”, said Thomas Behrends, general manager of Lindsey Oil Refinery. “We are proud of the team and the work we have accomplished together.”
Kettlewell Fuels director Janet Kettlewell was inaugurated as the 33rd President of UKIFDA on the 24th June 2020, during the trade association’s first virtual AGM.
Taking over the Presidency from Jodie Allan, who held the post for 3 years, Janet will head the association’s management committee. Her new role will involve working closely with chief executive Guy Pulham to optimise the work of the association in lobbying government on energy policy and the delivery of services for both distributor and associate members.
A UKIFDA management committee member for some 5 years and regional representative for Yorkshire and the North East of England, Janet has seen the trade association transform itself into a modern, forward-thinking and highly ambitious organisation that is ready for the next stage of its development.
Janet brings a wealth of sector experience and knowledge to the role, having joined her Yorkshire based family business Kettlewell Fuels, in 1996. Janet recently undertook an MBO of the business with husband Trevor, taking ownership of Kettlewell Fuels outright from the Kettlewell family.
Commenting on her appointment Janet Kettlewell said; “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity to use my 24 years experience for the good of the industry.
“I aim to continue the sterling work of past presidents on raising standards in the industry and making further significant progress on how the industry meets the decarbonisation targets set by the governments of the UK and Ireland. As the market continues to develop and change, as we enter a new era of liquid fuels, we will embrace all the challenges that lie ahead for our sector with enthusiasm and passion and I am absolutely sure that UKIFDA and its members will continue to thrive.
“I cannot wait to start working with the fantastic team at UKIFDA and the exceptional management committee to see what the next two years bring.”
UKIFDA chief executive Guy Pulham adds; “We all warmly welcome Janet as our new President – and we know she will make an excellent and fitting successor to Jodie. The team at UKIFDA has worked closely with Janet in her roles as regional representative and Vice President but also directly with her company Kettlewell Fuels, who have been UKIFDA Members for 24 years. She will prove a fantastic asset and a great advocate of our campaign to secure the much-needed support from government to ensure biofuels play a key role in the future of the 1.5m heating oil consumers in the UK and 686,000 in Ireland who are not on the gas grids.”
Slicker Recycling Limited, the UK’s largest collector and processor of used waste lubricating oil, has announced the acquisition of RE:Group (UK) Ltd.
RE:Group, based in Hull, provides waste oil collection and processing, industrial services and advanced fuel manufacturing.
Commenting on the acquisition, Mark Olpin managing director of Slicker Recycling, which also provides total waste management solutions to its extensive customer base, said; “The acquisition of RE:Group is an excellent strategic fit, increasing our UK storage capacity, geographic reach, export options, innovative process capabilities and new products and services to offer our customers. Re:Group is a solid well run business and we are extremely excited by the opportunities this acquisition provides.”
Last year Slicker, through its parent company Greenbottle Limited, co-invested in a 100,000 tonne per annum base oil re-refinery situated in Denmark.
RE:Groups’ managing director Paul Waine, will remain with the business and has joined the board of Greenbottle. Paul said; “Slicker Recycling has in recent years invested significantly more in this sector than anyone else, so the chance to integrate RE:Group and also play a part in the continued growth story is a fantastic opportunity.“
Mark Olpin added; “RE:Group is the fourth acquisition in as many years for Slicker Recycling, which together with the investment in the Danish re-refinery, shows both the level of support and ambition the shareholders have for the business.”
Moray businessman Stephen Scott has been appointed a board member for Elgin City Football Club.
The former commercial property lawyer was born and brought up in Elgin before his studies and work took him to Edinburgh. Now back in Moray, Stephen owns the Gleaner Oils business in Elgin with his wife Jane.
A spokesperson for Elgin FC explains how the club have waited patiently for this appointment; “Stephen’s wife Jane is a Lossie girl, and about six years ago, they bought out her Uncle’s interest in what had been her family’s business, thus becoming 100% owners of Gleaner.
“Stephen openly professes to have had a zero per cent knowledge of the fuel business at that time but was driven by a desire to protect the staff as well as the dependent pensioners – about 360 people in total. He put in many 18 hour days as he gained an understanding of how the business works, which caused him to decline politely some previous overtures for him to join the City Board – because he worried about his business commitments causing him to let the Club down. He now feels though that the business and its subsidiaries are in a sufficiently good place that he can devote whatever energies are required to the Club.”
Stephen told the club’s website; “My late father Alex (a well-known chartered surveyor in Elgin) and my uncle Ed, mum’s brother (former editor of the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald), started taking me to Borough Briggs when I was a wee boy.
“Dad bought me my first season ticket in summer 1968 at the tender age of three, going on four. As those who know me will attest, I have been hooked on the club ever since. Our son Evan said to me when this decision was reached that it would have made Grandad very proud, as he was also an Elgin boy through and through. I agree, and that means the world to me.
“I look forward to working with all the great people on the board in furtherance of the ambitions of the club which we all love.”
Gleaner has multiple signs (one of which is LARGE) dotted strategically around Borough Briggs. Stephen’s association with his hometown club led him to form a Gullane branch of the supporters’ club, which has a banner permanently on display at Borough Briggs. He used to stay with his family in the East Lothian coastal town before relocating back to Moray.
In the photo Stephen is seen presenting the Man of the Match award to Rabin Omar, after he scored a wonder goal in a 4 – 1 victory against Annan last November.
Elgin chairman Graham Tatters said; “He’s a man with an unbelievable amount of experience in different matters in the business world. He’s going to be a real asset to the club.”
Automotive industry charity, Ben, has announced the cancellation of its annual flagship event, Ben Ball, in December. As a result of COVID-19, the event won’t be taking place this year for the first time since World War II, contributing to a potential income shortfall of £1m for Ben this year.
Having asked those who regularly attend Ben Ball if they would consider attending this December, the majority of past attendees said they wouldn’t due to concerns surrounding safety in light of COVID-19 and uncertainty around budgets.
The charity continues to support more and more automotive industry people with their health and wellbeing during this challenging time. Now, more than ever before, automotive people need the support of Ben to help them cope with anxiety, depression, money worries, bereavement and loneliness. However, this increased support comes at a time when the charity’s income has fallen as a result of the Coronavirus and the impact it has had on the finances of companies and individuals in the industry.
The cancellation of Ben Ball, along with the postponement of other fundraising events / initiatives, as well as a decline in donations, means Ben is anticipating a £1m income shortfall this year, similar to many other charities. This is why the charity is appealing for those who can, to continue their support and keep providing vital funds so Ben can always be there for those who are struggling.
Matt Wigginton, fundraising director at Ben, said; “Making the decision to cancel Ben Ball is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make, however with the uncertainty of the situation surrounding COVID-19 and the impact it has had on our industry, it was, unfortunately, inevitable.
“We are living through unprecedented times and this means making tough decisions, but also being adaptable, so we plan to run a virtual fundraising event on 9th December instead, which we hope our industry will get involved in. So watch this space, we’ll reveal more in the coming months!
“We would also like to take this opportunity to give our heartfelt thanks to those who have continued to support Ben during this time – your support is more valuable now than ever before. We look forward to seeing friends, old and new, at next year’s event!”
With a brand-new website and the introduction of a sister company, Halso UK Fuels Ltd continues its exciting journey from modest beginnings to a thriving business recognised as one of the country’s experts in petroleum, gas & oil supply and distribution.
Progressing from its launch in a caravan in 1967 through the wooden huts which still exist to the current modern offices it has always been renowned for excellent customer care and service which remain second to none.
Supplying fuels to industrial, commercial and domestic customers, this family run business is now in its third generation. Emma Osborn-Wilkes, granddaughter of founder Sid Osborn, is managing director of both Halso and its new sister company EL Oils which has been trading in some capacity for the last 50 years.
Emma commented; “We still supply fuel, oils and lubricants to our local farmers and domestic, residential customers but now we also service commercial clients nationwide.
“It was little over 12 months ago we decided to diversify, offering our lubricants, oils and greases under our sister brand EL Oils. We find this to be a much cleaner way of showcasing our varied product portfolio.”
Emma continued; “Halso continues to be our brand for fuel management and distillates, and EL Oils offers our additional products, as well as services including tank cleaning, oil changes and tank monitoring.
“EL Oils, like Halso, is a very proud family business with high standards offering a personal service to all customers. We want to seamlessly support all of our commercial or domestic clients with their fuel, oil and lubricant needs. It’s our job to power your business and home.”
As a fifth-generation family business that has been operating in East Yorkshire for more than 140 years, J.R. Rix & Sons has always believed in supporting the local community.
That’s why during the coronavirus outbreak, the company has gone out of its way to provide help and resources to local businesses and organisations hit by the pandemic, and those fighting to contain it.
In one such move, J.R. Rix & Sons donated £10,000 to entrepreneur Alex Youden who designed a face mask and respirator that protects frontline medical staff against COVID-19.
Alex makes the masks on this 3D printer and the donation enabled him to buy raw materials. J.R. Rix & Sons also provided furloughed volunteers to help distribute the PPE.
The family business has also dug deep within its own stores to donate products to help protect people and to carry on with daily life.
Rix-owned businesses Rix Petroleum, Victory Leisure Homes and Jordans Cars donated spare PPE to frontline workers at Hull City Council, and the business gave a number of used laptops to underprivileged children at a primary school, enabling them to continue their education at home.
Victory Leisure Homes, the group’s holiday home and lodge manufacturing business, is also making an isolation unit for a local care home, so elderly residents can receive visits from family members.
Rory Clarke, managing director of J.R. Rix & Sons, said everyone had to pull together during the crisis and the company was delighted to do what it could.
He said: “We’ve said from the start of the outbreak that it is the duty of everyone who can help to do so.
“As a fifth-generation family company with deep ties to our local community, we’ve tried to do that in as many was as we can.”
In the context of the biggest replacement investment in the company’s history, the HOYER Group has taken delivery of more than 500 new trucks throughout Europe, for which it has invested around 42.7 million Euro, to transport mineral oil, chemical products and gases. The trucks have innovative technologies that more than fulfil the legal requirements relating to safety and offer added value with regard to economic efficiency and environmental protection.
The HOYER Group ordered the majority of the trucks to supply mineral oil in Great Britain whilst commissioning the latest generation of trucks from Volvo for supplies to service stations in Germany. The first units have already been delivered, and the entire fleet will be gradually replaced by the end of 2020.
According to Rudolf Schumacher, Fleet Manager of the HOYER Group in Dormagen, Germany: “The safety of our drivers and of other road users has top priority. We transport highly sensitive goods every day and consider it our duty to reduce risks and dangers to the absolute minimum.”
“Thanks to our fleet’s innovative safety equipment, we more than satisfy the legal requirements and set standards in the sector. Moreover, we emphasise the continuous instruction and further education of our personnel. We regularly and intensively train our drivers on the topic of safety in the framework of classroom training sessions and online training courses.”
The trucks are fitted with new-generation Euro-6 engines that offer added value regarding economic efficiency and sustainability, meaning that after the modernisation is complete, 98 per cent of the HOYER Group fleet of more than 2,200 trucks will be equipped with these low-pollution engines.
Four of the new truck models will even be operated using an alternative LNG engine. This means the HOYER Group has increased the number of trucks running on liquid natural gas to nine. The first LNG truck was acquired in 2018 and are intended to transport gases and mineral oil. The fact that the service station network for alternative energies has not yet been expanded to cover all areas is currently preventing further procurements.
Drivers employed as part of HOYER’s UK Petrolog fuel tanker delivery team have received training to deliver medical grade oxygen to NHS hospitals treating patients with COVID-19.
The potential deployment comes after the company approached the Government to see how it could both support the national effort to fight the virus and protect jobs, by providing support in delivering essential goods.
Jonathan Lawrence, Divisional Director, Field Operations for the Petrolog business of HOYER in the UK, said: “The MoD quickly got in touch with us, and we began speaking directly to Air Products about how we could assist them in the critical delivery of oxygen to hospitals, supporting the NHS.”
“We were asked if we could provide drivers with a Class 1 LGV licence and a Class 2 ADR licence, who were based near Air Products’ depots at Didcot in Oxfordshire and Carrington in Manchester. HOYER sought volunteers from our Hemel and Stanlow depots and received a resounding response with many colleagues answering the call and willing to do their bit to help in supporting the NHS.”
The first ten Petrolog drivers from the company’s depots at Stanlow Refinery in Cheshire and Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, have now completed medical grade oxygen product training with Air Products.
Jonathan Lawrence added: “Whilst both HOYER and Air Products hope that our support is not required, we now have a group of drivers who can be deployed quickly to ensure that these lifesaving deliveries can continue uninterrupted.”
Allan Davison, Operations Director for the Petrolog business of HOYER in the UK said: “With demand for medical essentials increasing daily, the need for high levels of logistical expertise is more prominent than ever. Alongside our highly trained workforce we are able to quickly support other companies and more importantly key workers during this unprecedented time and we are proud of our team for stepping forward for this.”
Callow Oils teams up with Pensons restaurant to deliver three-course meals to NHS key workers.
Helen Needham, director of Callow Oils, said: “I saw that Pensons were providing prepared meals to nominated key workers through social media and, as we are already connected with the restaurant as their fuel supplier, wondered if we could collaborate to deliver meals to nearby hospitals.”
“Delighted with the collaboration, and with us providing our LPG van as transport, we were able to deliver 100 prepared meals to the hard-working NHS staff at Worcester Hospital.”
With donations of cream and lamb from Mawley Milk and Hodgehill, the Michelin star three course meals were delivered to staff at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in April.
As well as providing meals, Callow Oils has also offered its thanks to all NHS staff and key workers in the form of rainbow signage on two of its tankers.
Helen commented, “we use a local company for our sign writing and asked if they could provide us with rainbow thank you messages for our tankers, which they did. We were happy to support a local business and are overjoyed with how they look!”
As the collaboration continues, Pensons restaurant carries on preparing meals for nominated key workers and NHS staff whilst Callow Oils continues to deliver fuel oil to grateful customers.
Valero is donating additional funding to support frontline charities during the current Covid-19 outbreak as part of its commitment to support the communities in which it works. The company will provide an amount of free Texaco fuel and financial assistance to FareShare, Age UK, The Trussell Trust and the East End Emergency Fund.
In addition to this direct support, Valero is also providing a financial incentive to encourage members of its Texaco Star Rewards loyalty programme to donate their Points in support of these charities.
A spokesperson for Valero explained; “Star Rewards members will be able to donate their loyalty Points to any of the four charities, with Valero pledging to match their donation. A member donating 250 Points will see Valero will doubling this to 500 Points which is worth £5. Similarly, a 500 Point donation will be doubled to 1,000 Points worth £10 and a 1,000 Point donation will be increased to 2,000 Points equivalent to £20. “
The four frontline charities benefiting from this support are:
FareShare is a UK-wide network of charitable food re-distributors, made up of 17 independent organisations. Together they take good quality surplus food from right across the food industry and get it to almost 11,000 frontline charities and community groups.
Age UK is the country’s leading charity for older people, providing vital services for those who have no one to turn to. They are in urgent need of funding to keep their vital national and local services open during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Trussell Trust has over 1,200 food bank centres in the UK and Northern Ireland that provide emergency support to those in crisis.
The East End Emergency Fund has been set up by The East End Community Foundation (EECF) in order to support the most needy and vulnerable in London’s poorest borough.
As well as the broader Valero response, the company’s refinery at Pembroke, Wales, is also giving funding to support activities in their local community, including PPE to local clinics.
As part of its long-term strategy to grow its company-owned portfolio alongside the continued expansion of its dealer network, JET Retail UK has made further acquisitions
Following an extensive review of Mabanaft’s UK-based companies – Mabanaft Limited, BWOC and Thomas Silvey – the latter is now focusing on fleet solutions. This change sees the Mabanaft OnRoute fuel card division being merged into the existing Silvey Fleet business.
This week Essar Oil UK confirmed the appointment of Mark Wilson as chief executive officer (CEO). He will be based at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex and succeeds S. Thangapandian, who informed the board of his intention to return to India after almost three years in the UK.
Harvest Energy, a member of the Prax Group of companies, has opened a new Morrisons Daily Store at its Sandringham service station in Leicester. Having bought this site along with 62 others just over a year ago, the company plans to convert a number of its forecourt convenience stores to Morrisons Daily Stores in the coming months.
INEOS has opened a new advanced polymer pilot plant in Rosignano, Italy to not only produce new plastics from increasingly higher levels of waste plastic, but also to help replace oil and gas as a raw material.
The Bayford Group has appointed a managing director with over two decades of experience in senior positions with organisations including Marks & Spencer and Topshop.
JET Retail UK – a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Phillips 66 Limited – has acquired Harrogate Investments Limited and its operating company, Kenworth Limited, from owner Barry Raw.
On 18th December 2019 Craggs Environmental, one of the UK’s leading fuel and tank infrastructure servicing companies, acquired the LCM Environmental business and combined the two companies to double their size, coverage and operational capacity.
With the opening of its new €3million flagship Parkway Service Station in Limerick City, Valero Energy (Ireland) has put down a marker to which other service station owners’ contemplating a switch to the Texaco brand might be advised to take note.