The AGA portfolio includes AGA, Rangemaster, Mercury, Falcon, Marvel, Stanley and La Cornue. Headquartered in Leamington Spa, AGA has approximately $400 million in annual revenues and more than 2,500 employees worldwide Subject to the approval of its shareholders the AGA Rangemaster Group is to be acquired by the US Middleby Corporation for £129.2 million. Once the deal is completed later this year, the US firm has said it would carry out a strategic review of operations but was planning to keep AGA’s manufacturing in the UK. “The addition of AGA’s world class brands, product range and manufacturing capability to our existing portfolio will further strengthen Middleby’s global reach and enhance our position as a leader in the premium segment for residential kitchen equipment,” said Middleby’s chairman and CEO Selim A. Bassoul. “We believe this transaction will provide meaningful synergies as we build upon the combined strengths of both Middleby and AGA. We will leverage the existing sales, service and manufacturing capabilities of AGA with the Middleby market expertise, product innovation and well established global distribution network.” Last year, AGA announced a fall in profits mainly because of pension costs, shop closures and site rationalisation, although revenues rose. Middleby will finance the transaction under its current $1.0 billion revolving credit facility. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.www.agarangemaster.comwww.middleby.com

Newly appointed FPS president, Duncan Grant intends ‘to use every opportunity and more to promote what is an incredibly hard working and conscientious industry’ On 22nd April 2015 Duncan Grant, Certas Energy’s customer sales and development manager, was appointed as the 31st Federation of Petroleum Supplier (FPS) president. Formerly FPS vice president and regional representative for the West Midlands, Duncan Grant, who is based in Certas Energy’s Coleshill  depot, takes over the presidency from Mark Nolan of Nolan Fuel Oils who has been president for the last two years. Duncan brings extensive experience and expertise to the role having spent over 32 years in the industry with companies such as BP Oil, Kuwait Petroleum, Pace Fuelcare and now Certas Energy, one of the largest fuel distributors in the UK. Commenting on his appointment, Duncan said: “As president I will be working closely with FPS chief executive, Mark Askew and the FPS team to support them in the day to day running of the organisation as well as being an ambassador for the industry as a whole. “The oil distribution industry is facing some tough times, the growth of online ordering, buying groups and agents are changing the way our industry trades.  Distributors who can’t adapt or embrace change may start to find life difficult.  So, as part of my role, I want to ensure that the pros and cons of the different ways of purchasing heating oil are understood and communicated to both the industry and customers. “Oil supply and availability, particularly at peak periods, also remains a significant threat. The FPS stock sheet is helping the government understand the issues and dangers. The threat of a stock out remains high but, during my time as president, I will ensure that our members are heard at government level. “I also think that we must try to improve the image of the industry in order to repair the reputational damage, mostly undeserved, which has been attached to the sector in recent years.  I intend to use every opportunity and more to promote what is an incredibly hard working and conscientious industry. “The FPS is doing lots of exciting work at the moment and has been working closely with the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) and consumer groups on different initiatives from the Buy Oil Early Campaign through to the launch of the FPS Surviving Winter Charity, which helps those in fuel poverty who receive heating oil with the help of local community foundations and their surviving winter campaign.  We are hoping to expand on this initiative in 2015. “The FPS is in a strong position to continue to represent the industry. It is important that all members of the FPS, whether they are large or small companies, feel that the FPS is addressing the issues which affect them, and this will always be a challenge for the future. “At local level, all members are given the opportunity to share and contribute to all these relevant issues and I will continue to work closely with all our members both existing and new.”  www.fpsonline.co.ukSEE THE JUNE ISSUE OF FUEL OIL NEWS FOR MARK NOLAN’S REFLECTIONS ON HIS TENURE AS FPS PRESIDENT

As part of its Corporate Giving programme, Brogan Fuels has presented a defibrillator unit to Lochar Thistle Youths AFC who play and train at Heathhall, Dumfries.

OSS, the trading name of Hydrodec (UK), has acquired the business, assets and trade name of Eco-Oil from Eco-Oil International and its subsidiaries. Together with Hydrodec UK’s existing OSS business this new operation will provide an excellent platform for growth whilst consolidating Hydrodec’s position as the UK’s leading service provider in used oil collection, products and associated waste services. Both OSS and Eco-Oil collect and recycle waste oil and workshop hazardous waste together with fuel oil sales. Under the new arrangement both companies will in the short term continue to service existing customers as now and will trade under the existing business names. When and if appropriate changes will be made to achieve maximum synergy from the acquisition. According to Hydrodec: “It’s important for our combined customer base to know that the service delivery will remain at its current high standard. It really is business as usual with customers being unaffected. The merging of the two businesses will give us a much broader operating base to eventually allow us to improve and enlarge the service we offer.” The acquisition of the Eco-Oil business further secures the supply chain for used oil collection in the UK and underpins Hydrodec’s plans to invest in a base oil re-refinery. The combined entity will offer significant opportunities to improve the efficiency of the business model as well as improve a market leading total waste solutions for both existing and new customers in the automotive and industrial sectors. www.ossgroup.uk.com www.hydrodec.com www.eco-oil.eu.com

This week Shell UK accepted offers for the sale of 185 company-owned service stations to selected independent dealers and has exchanged contracts for 158 of these service stations. Through this transaction, Shell welcomes Motor Fuel Group (MFG) as a Shell dealer and strengthens its relationship with Euro Garages. It is anticipated that contracts for the remaining service stations will be exchanged in the coming weeks. Of the 158 company owned sites, 90 have been purchased by Motor Fuel Group and 68 by Euro Garages. Handover of these service stations to the new owners will be completed by the end of 2015. Spread across Great Britain, the 185 service stations will retain the Shell brand. Dealers will continue to sell Shell fuels for at least the first five years following the sale. Shell David Moss, Shell’s retail general manager, North Europe, said: “Our priority is to ensure that a consistently excellent customer offer is available across our network, whether the service station is owned by Shell or by an independent dealer. That’s why we selected these independent dealers to work with, as they will invest in the sites and aim to deliver the same high standards of safety and customer care that are synonymous with the Shell brand.” https://www.shell.co.uk/ MFG MFG’s managing director, Jeremy Clarke said: “We’re delighted to be bringing another major brand to the MFG network. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to become one of the most dynamic and profitable independent forecourt operators in the UK. We’re looking forward to working with Shell to maximise the potential of these sites to the benefit of our customers.” www.motorfuelgroup.com Euro Garages Zuber Issa, chief executive, Euro Garages, said: “The site portfolio secured extends our UK presence and consolidates our existing forecourt estate. As a result, more customers will be able to enjoy our branded retail convenience offer, whilst still being able to access quality Shell fuels and lubricants.” www.eurogarages.com READ AN INTERVIEW WITH EURO GARAGES’ COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR IN THE OCTOBER 2014 ISSUE OF FUEL OIL NEWS

HW Humphrey and Son reports that the EA Projects upgrade has given the company ‘many advantages’ EA Projects, which will be exhibiting at next month’s FPS EXPO, has installed new tanker loading and tank gauging systems for Porthmadog-based distributor HW Humphrey and Son. “The installation of the EA Projects TAS has given us many advantages that we didn’t have before,” said Arwel Evans. “This includes the automatic recording of all meter movements at the site including all our bunker sales. Being able to have all this information in one central system is a huge benefit for us and we’re very pleased with the system.” The project included a major overhaul of the tank gauging systems on the site which has two separate tank farms. EAP supplied and installed new Hectronic Optilevel gauges to monitor product level, temperature and water level across 14 tanks which are achieving measurement accuracy of +/- 1mm . An integrated bunkering system for refuelling the Humphreys fleet was also supplied which allows the distributor to reconcile all meter movements against physical stock levels and also provides detailed reporting on deliveries taken by third parties. Additionally the iSupervisor TAS was supplied to control tanker loading via 4 arm bottom loading skid fitted with Isoil Vega II batch controllers which are being used to load the tankers of Humphries Oils and a third party. These loads are all based on loading plans managed by the system that may be controlled by the iSupervisor web interface either on or off site.www.humphreysoil.co.ukwww.ea-projects.com

Following acquisition of the retail assets of Murco Petroleum last October, the Motor Fuel Group (MFG) is replacing the Murco brand on its company station estate. From 1 April 2015, BP fuel supply will commence at 136 stations (previously 49), JET supply at 68 stations (previously 10) and Texaco supply at 78 stations. Station rebranding programmes will commence immediately and are expected to be complete by the end of Q2 this year. “Following exhaustive and detailed negotiations we’re delighted to have these three strong fuel brands throughout the MFG company station network,” said MFG fuels director Jim Mulheran. “Together they give us supply, price and image flexibility which means that we can maximise the offer to motorists in each and every location that we operate.” The Murco brand “This deal doesn’t mean that the Murco brand will disappear,” said MFG managing director, Jeremy Clarke, who with his dealer team headed by Paul Almond, now “have the opportunity to put more emphasis and time on Murco as an exclusive dealer brand.” “We’re giving our dealer business exclusivity to the Murco brand and along with this will be actively looking to grow the Murco network with a package which combines flexible delivery arrangements and a new, positive method of offering our dealers some very attractive trading terms. “We can tailor our fuel supply arrangements to meet the individual needs of a customer, contribute towards forecourt or shop development projects and strongly believe that we can match, if not beat, any supply arrangements offered in the marketplace today.” www.motorfuelgroup.com

Topaz has freed up resources to make a really substantial investment in the business says Emmet O’Neill The investment will transform the company’s retail network across the country says new CEO Emmet O’Neill. The company, which operates 330 forecourts with  around 40 in Northern Ireland, is hoping that  the agreed acquisition of the Esso business will be completed before the end of the year. In a further investment programme due next year the Topaz and ReStore brands across the Irish network of Esso forecourts will be extended. Topaz reported a pre-tax profit before exceptional items of €2.1m on a turnover of just less than €3bn. When exceptional items of €6.9m are taken into account (mostly associated with restructuring the group’s borrowings), pre-tax losses stood at €4.7m at the end of the period compared to losses of €13.6m for the equivalent period a year earlier.

Helping vulnerable heating oil users – Steve Davis, Midland Fuel Oils and Mark Askew with Tina Costello of Heart of England With the help of the Surviving Winter campaign, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) is assisting people in fuel poverty who use heating oil. Several donations have already been received from oil distributors across the Midlands where an agreement has been signed with the Heart of England Community Foundation to administer the fund, allocating awards to those most in need. “There are many older vulnerable people now living in fuel poverty across the country,” said the Heart of England Community Foundation.  “We’re delighted to work with the FPS to help support those pensioners in need as the temperature drops.” The fund’s current balance has around £12k available for grants, which includes £3k raised at last year’s FPS EXPO awards dinner. The FPS also gratefully acknowledge donations made by OFTEC in support of this initiative. There are 2.28m households in the UK living in fuel poverty.  The scheme is being trialled in the Midlands area which has fuel poverty rates of 15%.  Midlands oil distributors who have supported the fund, and whose customers will benefit, include Midland Fuel Oils, AID Fuels and Nolan Fuel Oils. Before undertaking a national roll out, the FPS felt it was vital to pilot the scheme across the West Midlands first.  It is hoped that as more oil distributors decide to support the scheme it can be spread across the whole country. FPS chief executive Mark Askew said: It’s impossible to help everyone, so initially funds will be made available to participating companies’ customers that are pensioners in receipt of pension credit, living in their own property and using fuel oil as their main source of heating. “Once a payment has been agreed to a household, the distributor that supplies that customer will be informed and receive a subsidy towards the next oil consignment. “It is expected that payments will be in the region of £100-150 per household and this will be deducted from the total bill for fuel and delivery. After that, the fuel is delivered in the normal manner and the remainder of the bill is paid by the householder. “Those companies who are participating in the scheme will also provide the entire charitable delivery at below the cost price meaning that the fuel is even less expensive.”www.oilsave.org.uk

Last week Greenergy acquired Harvest Biofuels’ biodiesel manufacturing facility at Seal Sands on Teesside. The acquisition of Harvest’s manufacturing assets gives Greenergy additional biodiesel production capacity with which to meet its own biofuel blending obligations under the UK’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. Greenergy already owns and operates a waste based biodiesel facility on the east coast at Immingham.  Production from the Immingham facility is insufficient to meet the company’s growing biodiesel blending requirements in the UK and therefore these have been met partially through imported biodiesel. The addition of the Seal Sands facility, which also produces biodiesel from waste oils, will reduce reliance on these imports and allow Greenergy to meet more of its biodiesel blending obligations through its own production. As part of the agreement reached with Harvest: • Greenergy has taken on Harvest Biofuels’ biodiesel storage contract at Dordrecht in the Netherlands. • Harvest Energy will become an ex-rack customer of Greenergy for petrol and diesel for its customers in the south east of England, Teesside and in Scotland. “The acquisition of the Harvest biodiesel plant will help bring our own production and blend requirements into balance,” said Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive. “Most of the biodiesel that we blend into diesel in the UK will now be manufactured and quality assured in our own facilities. “There are great opportunities to improve further the performance of both manufacturing sites by making best use of feedstock, through technology transfer and the sharing of best practice.” www.greenergy.com

Adler and Allan has acquired MTB Environmental Limited at Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton. The acquisition enables the environmental services provider to strengthen its regional presence on the south coast whilst allowing MTB – now known as Adler and Allan Hamble – to offer the full range of the Group’s services to its customer base. MTB has built an excellent reputation for tank cleaning, tankering and industrial services which complements that of Adler and Allan. In addition to this acquisition, Adler and Allan’s Glasgow department has moved to a new, larger facility in Uddington. The site’s location provides better access to local highways, helping Adler and Allan reduce its response time to incidents throughout the region. www.adlerandallan.co.uk

The awards were presented to the Brogan Fuels team at the Carden Park Hotel, Chester; Andrew Salton (l) with contract manager David Smialowski Brogan Fuels has once again taken the Shell Lubricants UK’ Distributor of the Year Award. For the second year in a row, the Brogan Fuels, which is part of Certas Energy, scooped the top prize and two other major prizes – Raising the Bar in 2014 and Sales Support. The awards recognise best in class within the lubricants distribution sector.  The winners are required to demonstrate superior knowledge and expertise, combined with a great sales and operations approach, as well as exceptional customer service. The competition is open to all contracted distributors which have partnerships with Shell Lubricants UK. The nominees are evaluated against a range of six critical criteria, specifically chosen to demonstrate KPIs which focus on different aspects of the business, in addition to sales volume. The reason for including cross-business KPIs is to emphasise that, to be successful, distributors need to work as a team and that sales volume is just a part of that success. Andrew Salton, lubricants manager Scotland for Certas Energy, said: “We’re delighted to receive this recognition for the second year running. As a team we aspire to be the best in our sector; these awards indicate that we are just that.  We have ambitious growth plans, and I believe that if we continue to work and deliver to the level currently demonstrated, we will achieve our goal.  I’d like to thank all of my team who played a part in maintaining our position as the largest distributor of Shell Lubricants in Scotland.”http://www.brogans.co.uk

IAN WELCH HAS 25 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE DOWNSTREAM OIL INDUSTRY Certas Energy has strengthened its retail team with the appointment of Ian Welch and Gary Conway, both former employees of Harvest Energy. “As we continue to expand the Gulf branded network across the UK, we are delighted to bring Gary and Ian into the Certas Energy family,” said retail director Ramsay MacDonald.. “They share our team ethos and an enthusiasm for the business. It is important that our rapid growth is complemented by the recruitment of high calibre people who understand Certas Energy and the delivery of genuine customer service.” Ian’s working life began in the Merchant Navy before he joined Texaco in 1990. He has now been associated with the downstream oil industry for nearly 25 years, gaining experience in commercial and retail sales, lubricants, fuel engineering and fuel cards. In his role as key accounts manager with Harvest, he helped grow dealer sites from less than 20 to over 100 in under four years. Alongside his career highlights, Ian has also achieved an MBA from City University London. “I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity,” explained Ian. “It is exciting to join a team that shares my passion for the business, has a drive, vision and does it with a smile on its face.”

(l-r): Grant Lockie, Speedy regional director (power) with Jim Williams, northern regional director and Anthony Sharkey, national sales manager, Certas Energy Speedy has chosen Certas Energy as its national fuel partner in delivering temporary power generation. Speedy already owns the largest fleet of fuel tankers in the hire industry and, together with Certas Energy, it will have a combined capability of more than 1,000 tankers servicing every UK postcode and over 150 Certas Energy refueling depots nationwide. Speedy achieved an industry first in 2006 by being the only hire company in the UK to offer fuel services and, by partnering with Certas Energy, which delivers over six billion litres of fuel annually,  fuel can now be delivered anywhere in the UK – even in remote and inaccessible areas. A dedicated Certas Energy account manager will be based at Speedy’s head office in Haydock. “Speedy’s power division has seen major expansion over the years,” said Jim Williams, northern regional director at Certas Energy.  “This strategic partnership is a fantastic opportunity for both companies and we look forward to developing a long-term relationship.” Brian Cornett, managing director of Speedy’s Power Division, said: “By partnering with Certas Energy we’re now able to service the power generation demands of all sectors and industries and we can help our customers minimise fuel spend, streamline the administration process and benefit from quick and easy refueling at strategically located sites throughout the UK.”www.certasenergy.co.ukwww.speedyservices.com

Commercial director Darren Borras (r) receives the Business of the Year award from Ralph Montagu The ninth annual New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards 2014/15 saw the WP Group win both the Sustainable Business Award and the Business of the Year Award. “Sustainability isn’t just an initiative but a company-wide commitment to ensuring future generations are not compromised by the actions we take today,” said marketing manager, Harriet Phillips.   “Through the launch of WP’s Sustainable Solutions Programme which has three key elements – people, planet and performance, we’ve delivered significant efficiency and emission savings both internally and to our customers, large and small. “Across a series of recent energy efficient trials conducted, WP has been able to demonstrate a reduction of CO2 emissions in excess of 2000 tonnes and a waste reduction of 2500 litres with an opportunity to save considerably more. “Having also taken the New Forest Business Partnership Business of the Year Award, we will also receive a year’s membership to the NFBP, an association that the company is honoured to support.”  www.thewp-group.co.uk