Spotlight 26

News

Greenergy acquires Amsterdam biodiesel manufacturing facility

Greenergy has reached an agreement with Oiltanking, a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls, to purchase an idle biodiesel manufacturing facility located at Oiltanking’s site in Amsterdam.  The acquisition of a third biodiesel plant will allow Greenergy to meet growing demand for waste-based biofuel in the UK and Europe. The Amsterdam biodiesel manufacturing facility was built in 2010 to process vegetable oils but was never commissioned. Greenergy plans to carry out works over the next year to convert the facility to process waste oils rather than vegetable oils and then to add further production capacity. “Demand for waste-based biodiesel is rising rapidly in the UK and Europe as a result of higher obligated biofuel inclusion rates,” explained Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive. “Over the last few years we have scaled up our raw material supply chains and invested in our UK manufacturing facilities, increasing output through a variety of incremental investments. We are now leveraging these skills and capabilities to develop a third plant.”

News

Fighting fuel poverty in the Midlands

Heat Heroes and FPS members look on as Heart of England Foundation’s Jen Tullet (l), holds the cheque for £11,594 alongside Dawn Shakespeare of the FPS The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) – together with Midlands-based heating oil distributors, AID Fuels, Nolan Oils and Midland Fuel Oil – have been fundraising to help those in fuel poverty and have awarded £11,594 to four National Energy Action (NEA) Heat Heroes Award winners. Organised by NEA, which works to end fuel poverty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Heat Heroes Awards aim to recognise individuals who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to help people living in fuel poverty in their local community. Having raised £11,594 from two years of fundraising events, the FPS and its members asked The Heart of England Community Foundation to administer the funds with the following chosen to receive £2898.50 each. “We heartily congratulate all the winners of the NEA Heat Heroes Awards 2018,” said Guy Pulham, FPS chief executive. “We’re pleased that with the help of our Midlands-based members, we’ve been able to raise a significant sum of money. We’re also impressed by the extraordinary efforts made by these four winners and have no doubt they’ll put the money to incredibly good use.”Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau – Natalie French, fuel poverty advisor intends to use the donation to continue to support people through the bureau’s telephone assessment and advice service; helping more people save money on their heating bills and become more energy efficient.Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts – Russell Bosanko, financial capability officer helps people save energy; the money will be put towards staging a number of events and attending community events to provide energy advice and support to those most in need of assistance with fuel bills. Wolverhampton Homes – Alvina Ali, energy and climate change officer will address fuel poverty with a series of initiatives, products and services to help tenants and residents to budget and control energy consumption. Home energy visits are an essential part of delivering a customer friendly solution as they give us the tools we need to help support and protect vulnerable residents living in fuel poverty whilst helping them to sustain their tenancies.Marches Energy Agency – Davina Allen, project manager supports vulnerable clients by finding ways to cut energy bills, looking for good deals and reducing fuel debt – the money will provide additional resources for their independent phoneline service across Shropshire, Herefordshire and southern Staffordshire. “We were delighted that FPS chose our Foundation to administer these funds,” said Tina Costello CEO of Heart of England Community Foundation. “The Heat Heroes Award winners have done brilliantly to support those struggling in their communities and we are sure their fine work will continue!”www.fpsonline.co.ukwww.nea.org.uk/award-schemes

News

Pumptronics – now part of Hytek (GB)

Hytek (GB) Limited, which consists of Hytek, IFC Inflow and Anglo Nordic Burner Products, purchased Pumptronics Europe Limited from previous owners, The Premier Group, in May 2018.  Hytek and Pumptronics, which were both established in 1985, will continue to operate in their current locations of Bishops Stortford and North Walsham respectively, and will continue to produce their own strongly identifiable products such as the Hytek Alpha pump range and the Pumptronics Zeon and C-series ranges. “Hytek is very excited to have Pumptronics join the Hytek group,” said Nicola Stamp, group managing director of Hytek (GB). “Whilst there is some overlap in both the product line-up and customer base, there are real benefits that joint ownership will bring to both brands.” “Hytek has been a competitor for many years, however, we can be much stronger together,” said Andrew Olive, Pumptronics’ managing director. “I look forward to seeing if there’s anything we can adopt that will improve our service levels to our customers.  As far as product sales, ordering and manufacturing are concerned, the main message is business as usual. “I look forward to working with Pumptronics in the future and to supplying both existing and new customers within the market,” added Hytek’s sales director, Andy Seal. www.hytekgb.com www.pumptronics.co.uk

News

MFG in The Sunday Times Top Track 100

CEO William Bannister – MFG is ‘now better positioned to successfully perform as the UK’s number one independent operator’ Top 50 Indies forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) is ranked 6th in a league table of Britain’s one hundred private companies with the biggest sales in the 17th annual Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 100. Issued on Sunday (8th July), the league table ranks companies by sales as reported in their latest available accounts, or by more up-to-date figures as reported directly to Fast Track by the companies. This year, the 100 companies reached a record £205bn in total sales, up an average of 16% on the prior year, with record total profits of £23.5bn, up by 10%. An impressive 90 companies increased sales in their latest financial year. “This is the first time that we have appeared in this league table, and to come in at number six is a great acknowledgement of the hardworking performance of the whole MFG team,” said William Bannister, MFG’s chief executive officer. “Looking forward, I am confident that with our recent acquisition (21 June 2018) of MRH, we are now even better positioned to successfully perform as the UK’s number one independent forecourt operator.” The league table is sponsored by HSBC, Linklaters and PwC and compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events company.www.motorfuelgroup.com

News

‘A valuable addition’ for Rix Petroleum

Welcoming the ‘opportunity to increase our customer base’ Ruairidh Beath, regional director for Rix Petroleum at Wynnstay Fuels Rix Petroleum has expanded its UK depot network into North West England and Wales for the first time in its 140-year history. The acquisition of Wynnstay Fuels, with depots at Waverton, Chester, and Pwllheli, North Wales, was completed by parent company, J.R. Rix & Sons, on Thursday, June 21st. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, brings Rix Petroleum’s national network to 14 depots, ranging from Aberdeen in the north to Essex in the south, and from Hull in the east across to Pwllheli. Headquartered in Hull, Rix now has depots in all the regions of England and Scotland, as well as one in Wales, for the first time. J.R. Rix & Sons purchased the business from owners Wynnstay PLC and majority shareholder Jeff Kendrick who said: “The time has finally come for me to retire but I am delighted to be selling to family-owned business Rix. “I can see that Rix genuinely care about their customers and staff and I have no doubt that they will look after the customers and staff of Wynnstay.” Rory Clarke, managing director of J.R Rix & Sons, said the Wynnstay business was a valuable addition to the company’s network. “There is a lot of synergy between Wynnstay Fuels, which runs a fleet of 8 tankers, and Rix Petroleum in terms of values and commitment to customer service, so when we heard Jeff was planning to retire it made sense for us to look to acquire the business. “From a location point of view, this acquisition gives us a much stronger foothold in North West England and Wales, so we’re delighted we were able to agree a deal and take over the reins from Jeff.” Ruairidh Beath, regional director for Rix Petroleum, added: “We already sell fuel to customers in Wales through our local business Rix Petroleum (Mercia) Ltd which is based in Market Drayton. We welcome this opportunity to increase our customer base in the area.”www.rix.co.uk

News

On the road to success

This month’s Cornish front cover star, Consols Oils, has entered its Isuzu Truck Forward N75.150 (M) Urban 7.5 tonners for the title of 2018 Fuel Oil News tanker of the year. 

News

HOYER Petrolog – driver of the year

Group board director Mark Binns presents the winning driver Michael Williams with his prizes Driver technician Michael Williams has been crowned HOYER Petrolog’s top driver of 2018.  Based with the Petrolog Fleet at Stanlow in Cheshire, Michael, who received a £2250 Red Letter Day prize, has worked for HOYER for just over three years. Last month 14 drivers representing each of the company’s major UK contracts* were invited to the finals which took place at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire where Sigma Studies partnered HOYER in creating the event.

News

JET – new sites and new manager

As expansion manager for JET Germany, Soenke Voges was instrumental in bringing more than 100 new sites into the German portfolio within 5 years To strengthen the brand and drive further growth in JET’s UK forecourt network, the company has appointed Soenke Voges as its new UK retail business manager. Reporting directly to Mary Wolf, managing director of UK marketing, Soenke will oversee JET’s sales, brand, retail services and transport operations.  Soenke was formerly expansion manager for JET Germany where he was instrumental in bringing more than 100 new sites into JET Germany’s portfolio in just five years. “My initial focus will be on reviewing JET’s UK operations and taking advantage of best practices from our operations in North America and Europe where we have achieved considerable success. Working closely with my highly capable and ambitious teams here in UK marketing, my priority is to develop a future-proof strategy that will ensure JET’s continued growth throughout 2018 and beyond.” JET has further strengthened its presence in the south east with three new sites Basildon Service Station in Reading, Brookside Filling Station in Hungerford and Postcombe Service Station in Thame, Oxfordshire. The sites which have a combined volume of 5mlpa, have already been reimaged and are being supplied out of the West London Terminal.  It is anticipated that volumes will rise considerably under the JET brand. “The south east is an important growth region for JET,” said Chris Murphy, JET’s retail account manager for the south east. We don’t currently have many JET sites in Reading or Oxford, so it’s great that we can introduce the JET brand to these new communities. We’re delighted to welcome these new sites to our network and look forward to helping them flourish in the coming months and years.”www.jetlocal.co.uk/jet-fuels/

News

Oil NRG – to the ends of the earth

Going to the ends of the earth to help Borne Through its depots in Birtley, Hartlepool, Thetford and York, Oil NRG has lent its support to Borne, a medical research charity which aims to identify the causes of premature birth. Earlier this month a team of 10, including former English rugby player, Will Greenwood MBE, a Sky commentator, Borne Patron and friend of Oil NRG, embarked on a 10-day expedition. In one of the most extreme tests of physical and psychological endurance, the team traversed the last half degree to the North Pole crossing the frozen ocean to reach the ends of the earth. The team set a target of £1,050,000 with Oil NRG aiming to raise £2,500 to help save lives, prevent disability and give millions of children the chance of a full life, free of disability. Borne will use funds raised to support its vital research into the causes and prevention of preterm labour and births. To date Oil NRG has raised over £1,706 of its £2,500 fund raising target. “We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has donated so far,” said Oil NRG’s sales director, Jeremy Royle. “All donations will help – no matter how big or small!” To support Oil NRG’s fund-raising, please visitwww.justgiving.com/fundraising/oil-nrg  

News

Major investment at Belzona

Harrogate’s mayor, councillor Anne Jones, was in attendance at last week’s official opening of the new training and distribution centre which featured a ribbon cutting ceremony by Belzona’s president, Joel Svendsen and a professional bubble blower Celebrating its 66th anniversary this year, Belzona shows no signs of slowing down with the opening of a brand-new state of the art training and distribution centre. The Harrogate-based company, which provides industrial protective coatings and repair composites, ran 40 courses in 2017 for over 175 delegates from distributorships around the world.  The company still manufactures at its head office in Harrogate and exports to over 160 countries worldwide. The new £6 million facility will more than double Belzona’s current distribution area floor space, with 12 metres of usable height, adding around 4000 pallet spaces and 166,100 cubic feet of total floor area. The new training area features a fully equipped presentation suite as well as a new practical training/demonstrating classroom, showing Belzona’s continued focus on training and raising global application standards. “Here at Belzona we believe that training is vital to success,” said engineering director, David Blackwell. “Training empowers people to meet the demands made of them in the work environment and prepares them for the unexpected situations that life will throw at them. Belzona’s practical training courses are designed to enhance the theoretical aspects of Belzona solutions by placing them in a practical context. “This is a major investment in the future of Belzona, which will greatly benefit the local community, the distributors from across the globe, as well as the vast number of Belzona users.”

Interview

‘More energetic, representative and visible’

Guy Pulham, who has succeeded Mark Askew as CEO of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, is seeking ‘greater engagement of members, Government and other trade associations’ Earlier this month Guy Pulham started his new role as chief executive officer (CEO) of The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS). 

News

Committed to the growth of the UK’s oil and gas economy

Essar Oil UK continues to invest at Stanlow and has expanded its UK retail network to 46 sites Essar Oil (UK), which owns and operates the Stanlow Refinery, has announced record figures for the first six months of the financial year ending March 31st 2018. “Essar is committed to the growth of the UK’s Oil & Gas economy – the Stanlow refinery is a core sector asset of national importance for the UK and we’re extremely happy that it has been delivering consistently robust performance,” said Prashant Ruia, Essar Oil UK’s non-executive chairman. “Since acquisition we’ve invested more than $800 million and have now started reaping the benefits of this investment.” The refinery, which produces 16% of the UK’s road transport fuel demand, processed 4.5 MMT of crude, in line with the 4.5 MMT during H1 FY17. Making good progress on its plans to invest $250 million in capex and maintenance at Stanlow in FY18, Essar Oil UK’s major investment will ramp up throughput, improve yields, drive revenues and increase annual throughput from 68 million to 75 million barrels. A focus on margin booster initiatives and cost efficiencies has seen a significant improvement in the operating and financial performance during this time. In FY15 Stanlow was reconfigured and optimised to a single train operation which increased the yield of high margin products such as gasoline and middle distillates. In addition, the crude slate has been materially diversified with the introduction of many new grades, including four new grades in the past six months. These major initiatives have resulted in a latest half yearly delta over the benchmark margin of $4.8/bbl, as against under $1/bbl in 2012.Operational and financial performance: Key Indicators

News

Expanding brand presence across the UK

Harvest Energy, the retail division of the Prax Group, has acquired Retail Fuels Limited which owns and operates nine retail forecourts in the UK Completed in December, the acquisition reflects the Group’s strategic objective to expand its retail footprint and brand presence across the UK marketplace. Currently operating under the BP brand, the nine retail forecourts are principally located in the north west of England with six in Merseyside, two in Greater Manchester and one in the Midlands. Each site has a quality property offering, which following redevelopment will deliver incremental shop and forecourt revenues. “UK forecourts have become convenience destinations in many different respects,” said Sanjeev Kumar, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Prax Group. “Whether it is shopping on the way home in the evening, picking up a quality coffee or snack on the way into work, or even dropping off or collecting parcels, changes in consumer behaviour have presented strong opportunities for companies who are prepared to invest in their forecourt stores and food offerings. “This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to enhancing our existing estate in the UK and leveraging our expertise in operating high-quality service area offerings with a strong food-to-go focus, which will help attract forecourt footfall. The team will enhance the customer experience by raising standards in-store and on the forecourt services. “I would like to take this opportunity to convey our thanks and appreciation to all colleagues who supported the successful completion of this transaction, as well as extending a very warm welcome to our new forecourt teams. We look forward to working together to become one of the UK forecourt sector’s most significant operators.” www.harvestenergy.com www.prax.com

News

Mabanaft appoints new management team

‘With a sound and stable team of people, who work well together’, Martin and Eoin are ‘looking forward to further developing the business over the coming years’ Martin Cook, UK marketing manager and finance director, Eoin Dilworth are now jointly managing Mabanaft’s UK operation. The move follows Raphael Hüttmann’s promotion to joint head, along with Volker Ebeling, of the Mabanaft Group in Hamburg. With Raphael having been Mabanaft Limited’s acting managing director for the past five years, now is a good time for these changes to take place. With three strong years of trading, and a consistently solid P&L, Raphael has achieved his stated goal of refocusing Mabanaft Limited and achieving increased profitability through improved efficiencies in the supply chain. Martin and Eoin have worked closely with Raphael throughout. More recently, during a transitional period, they have also been fulfilling management responsibilities, so the whole process will be seamless. Martin has been with Mabanaft for nine years, four of these as marketing manager. He has an in-depth understanding of the fuel industry, a clear and focused approach to business and excellent management skills, and is looking forward to the opportunities that this new role brings. Mabanaft’s sales, supply and operations teams will report to Martin. Eoin, a highly qualified accountant with twenty years’ experience, has worked as finance director for Mabanaft Limited for five years. He has been involved in all aspects of the business and played a significant role in helping increase profits and reduce costs as well as business exposure. The finance, risk and IT support teams report to Eoin. “Replacing my role has been remarkably straightforward,” said Raphael. “Mabanaft always looks to retain skill and re-deploy staff within the group, so appointing Martin and Eoin as joint managing directors made perfect sense. “Looking ahead, as joint head of the Mabanaft Group I will be available to provide support to the UK operation whenever required.” “Eoin and I are both delighted and excited to be taking over joint management of Mabanaft Limited, said Martin “We have a sound and stable team of people, who work well together, and are looking forward to further developing the business over the coming years.”www.mabalive.co.uk/news

News

Choosing a new truck

Founded in 1954 by Arthur McMahon, Donegal Oil remains a family business with the founder’s grandson, also Arthur McMahon, being the present managing director

News

Valero enhances supply position in the south east 

Commercial customers in the south east of England will soon be benefiting from an enhanced supply position thanks to Valero’s long-term agreement with NuStar to supply fuel from their Grays terminal on the Thames.  From February 2018, Valero will expand its range of products to include gasoline, thereby providing a full suite of products to its customers at the Nustar Grays terminal.   “By moving to NuStar we’re consolidating our position on the Thames into a single location,” said Mike Lewis, Valero’s vice president product supply.  “And by signing a long-term agreement we’re reinforcing our commitment to our customers and to delivering a reliable service.   “Since moving into the Thames market in 2014 we’ve seen considerable growth, and we’re now building on that position. We will continue to show our flexibility by offering fixed, floating, spot and term pricing. This will be backed up by our experienced and dedicated sales team who can respond quickly and professionally to meet our customers’ needs.   “For our existing customers, the changeover will be seamless, while new customers can be guaranteed to receive a reliable service and quality product, helping them remain competitive in a dynamic market.”  www.valero.com   

News

INEOS completes Forties Pipeline acquisition from BP 

The Kinneil oil terminal and gas processing plant which is part of the acquisition from BP The completion of the deal, which also includes the Kinneil terminal, consolidates INEOS’ position as a top ten company in the North Sea and the largest privately– owned exploration and production business operating in the energy basin.   The FPS business is a natural fit for INEOS. Now with the responsibility for a strategic UK asset that delivers almost 40% of the UK’s North Sea oil and gas output, INEOS has further strengthened its long-term oil and gas activity.  The takeover was welcomed by Deirdre Michie, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, who said:  “The Forties Pipeline, which transported 40% of the North Sea’s production last year, is a critical UKCS asset and its integration with Ineos’ assets at Grangemouth is an efficient solution that will help unlock new investment opportunities upstream.”   “This represents another very significant deal for INEOS,” said FPS CEO Andrew Gardner. The acquisition reunites North Sea and Grangemouth assets under INEOS ownership.  INEOS is now the only UK company with refinery and petrochemical assets directly integrated into the North Sea and this deal provides the platform to potential future offshore INEOS investments.”     The 235-mile pipeline system links 85 North Sea oil and gas assets to the UK mainland and the INEOS site in Grangemouth.  Ownership and operation of FPS, the Kinneil gas processing plant and oil terminal, the Dalmeny storage and export facility, sites at Aberdeen, the Forties Unity Platform and associated infrastructure has now transferred to INEOS FPS, together with approximately 300 personnel.  

News

OHES acquired by Adler & Allan 

A&A is ‘a natural home for the business’ says OHES operations director, Dan Jones Adler & Allan (A&A) has acquired the specialist environmental consultancy, OHES Environmental (OHES).  OHES, which covers a broad range of specialist and technical areas, including environmental pollution claims, will continue to be led by its current management team as an autonomous business within the A&A Group and operate from its existing locations across the UK.   “OHES is a highly respected environmental consultancy that has built a fantastic breadth of client-focused services over the past 15 years,” said Henry Simpson, commercial director of A&A Group.  “Many of its consultants and specialist teams are already well known to us and we’re delighted to welcome them into the A&A Group, where together we can offer clients a greater range and depth of resources than ever before.”  “We’re delighted to have secured a new home for OHES, as part of a specialist environmental services group,” added Adam Shefras, managing director of hazardous goods and environmental industries at Pen Underwriting.   “We look forward to working with the team which will continue to provide a fully embedded spill response and environmental claims management service as part of Pen Underwriting’s bespoke high hazard insurance scheme, on an exclusive basis.”  “Having known and worked with the team at A&A Group for many years, as both supplier and customer, we’re excited by the great fit our businesses represent,” explained Dan Jones, operations director at OHES.   “OHES has a plan for strategic growth that will be well supported by being part of a wider environmental services group. A&A is a natural home for our business and we look forward to building on our success as part of the Group.”  “Pen Underwriting’s strategic ambition has always been to become a true virtual insurer,” said chief underwriting office, Tom Downey.  “This requires us to focus on, and invest heavily in, enhancing our core services and skills such as technical underwriting expertise, product governance, pricing and analytics.”  

News

Embracing change over 50 years

The Hodge family (l-r) Catherine, Jack, Andrea, May and David ready to attend the summer ball to celebrate Ribble Fuel Oils 50th anniversary Back in the early 1960s, Hermon Hodge was a travelling salesman working for an animal feed company.  Wishing to be self-employed, he spotted an opportunity to enter the emerging oil market with an offering more tailored to the needs of local businesses, farms and homes

News

Approval for Greenergy’s Inver Energy acquisition

The acquisition of Inver Energy raises ‘no competition concerns’ says the European Commission Under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Inver Energy by Greenergy International was approved by the European Commission last week. Inver is an independent importer and distributor of a range of fuel products predominantly in Ireland, where it also operates a number of retail service stations. In the UK, Inver operates a fuel importation terminal in Cardiff, from where it supplies fuel oil, gasoil and kerosene. Greenergy is active in the importation, storage, blending and transportation of refined oil fuels to wholesale customers in the UK, and is the UK’s largest supplier of road fuels. It also produces and blends biofuels. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. of Canada, a global asset manager, ultimately controls Greenergy. The Commission said the EC concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because of the limited overlap between the companies’ activities. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure.www.greenergy.comwww.inverenergy.iewww.inverenergy.co.uk

News

New FPS chief executive 

Currently with Phillips 66, Guy Pulham will take over as FPS CEO in February 2018 With effect from 5thFebruary, 2018 Guy Pulham will become the new chief executive officer of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS).  Following the completion of his employment with Phillips 66,  Guy will succeed Mark Askew as CEO.  Fifty-two year old Guy has almost 30 years’ experience within the upstream and downstream oil industry having gained a degree in economics at Surrey University in 1988. Guy brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the role having previously held several economic, analytical, strategy and sales jobs within Phillips 66 and more recently holding leadership positions encompassing the wholesale and retail sales business channels with additional responsibility in the management of five transport haulier contracts across the UK and the promotion of the JET brand.  “The FPS has achieved considerable success and I’m delighted to be asked to use my skills and experience to help the fantastic team at Solihull continue to work very hard for its membership,” commented Guy whose appointment will continue the growth and values of the FPS.    “I believe that the most effective representation comes from talking to the members and understanding their businesses and, as a result, knowing what initiatives or support the FPS can provide and what important issues to take to government in order to influence and respond to legislation.   “We must also ensure that members are fully cognisant of all that is available to them as FPS members through regular messaging and conferences. The biggest challenge will be trying to find innovative and impactful ways to improve an already award-winning FPS EXPO!”  “I am really excited by this appointment,” added FPS president Jodie Allan.   “Guy brings to the FPS a results-driven and strategic background with a desire to effectively communicate both on behalf of and with the membership.   “His knowledge of the UK fuels market (especially the distributor and reseller businesses in the UK), his transport background and his personal relationships within the industry will prove invaluable in the next phase of growth for the FPS. I look forward to working with him.” www.fpsonline.co.uk 

News

UK Fuels expands bunker network 

Bill Holmes CEO at UK Fuels which was launched with a single transaction at a truck stop in Birmingham over 25 years ago.  The company now processes over three billion litres of fuel a year, as part of a global network of more than 1,000,000 fuel cards across 21 countries  UK Fuels has expanded its fuel card bunkernetwork to over 2,250 UK sites. Having reached the 550–site mark for HGV fuelling, UK Fuels is now the largest independent network in the UK.   Part of Radius Payment Solutions, the network expansion is part of UK Fuels’ strategy to help customers minimise inefficient route deviation and to prevent unnecessary fuel expenditure.   “Our customers are at the heart of our network expansion,” said Bill Holmes, CEO at UK Fuels.  “We remain committed to growing operations in the UK and developing products and services that work together and help us provide the best offering for our customers.”   The network has expanded through creating and maintaining relationships with the top independent site groups, grocers and independent dealers to develop a bunker network that offers a variety of quality fuel sites for its fuel card customers.   When viewed in e-route, the network’s online station locator can reduce route deviation and fuel usage. In the last 18 months alone the network has increased by over 10% as they continue to proactively review locations across the length and breadth of the UK.   “It’s certainly a positive achievement for us to reach 2,250 sites and the 550-site milestone for HGV specific fuel cards, and we will continue to expand this further to benefit our growing customer base.”  www.ukfuels.co.uk  

News

NWF Group raises funds for local hospice 

Having got stuck into a Tough Mudder challenge to raise money for a local hospice, members of the NWF Fuels team were pleased to be among those presenting a cheque to the hospice on behalf of the NWF Group recently Last month members of the NWF Fuels team braved rain, mud and obstacles to take part in this year’s 12-mile Tough Mudder challenge held at Cholmondley Castle in Cheshire.  The 50-strong team were brought together through the NWF Group’s ‘wellbeing at work’ scheme which encourages staff to participate in activities with colleagues from other areas of the business.  Having been an active supporter of the St.Luke’s hospice in recent years, staff were encouraged to raise funds through Just Giving with a cheque presented to the hospice recently.    “We are so proud of the team and their fundraising efforts will benefit a fantastic local cause close to our hearts,” said NWF Group chief executive Richard Whiting. www.nwffuels.co.uk