Spotlight 30
‘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
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
Two new 5,000 litre Isuzu trucks are joining the fleet at Consols Oils.
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
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.
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.”
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
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
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
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
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
Phillips 66 – showcasing the work of the Humber Refinery in a fresh, fun and engaging way, four-year old twins Alex and Tyler who became firemen for the day
In line with the company’s overall ethos of ‘doing things a little differently’, Phillips 66 has broken the stereotype for serious corporate videos with its latest film, which showcases the Humber refinery. The new video sees children and grandchildren of staff who work at the refinery starring in the many roles, including engineers, scientists and IT professionals.
Family of staff sent in audition tapes and when it was too difficult to choose who to feature in the film, the decision was made to feature all the children. In total, 25 children ranging from four to ten years old took part, including four-year old twins Alex and Tyler who became the refinery’s firemen for the day, and five- year old Evan who stars as a refinery panel operator.
As well as providing an overview of structure of the Humber refinery and its day to day operations, the video is aimed at raising awareness of the refinery’s role in supporting community, education and charity projects, and in providing career development opportunities through apprenticeships and training.
“We wanted to showcase the refinery and the work we do, but in a fresh, fun and engaging way,” commented Nina Stobart, communications and external affairs manager at Phillips 66.
“We decided it would be great fun to involve the children and grandchildren of our staff as they could not only come along and see where their mum, dad or grandparents worked, but also offer a fresh take on what can sometimes be seen as a grey topic.
“What better way to connect with audiences of all ages than by giving children as young as four a starring role in this video. Everyone had a great day filming and it was an ideal way to help inspire the next generation of employees.
“The video has already been viewed hundreds of times so it seems to have captured the attention of our customers, industry peers and the local communities surrounding our refinery. Who knows, ten years down the line we may be welcoming some of these children back into the business through our apprenticeships or graduate schemes.” www.phillips66.co.uk
The Millbook Way site in Preston – ‘It is also fantastic to be working with Gavin and Peter Valentine, two very experienced petrol retailers who are long term fans of Gulf, as they look to expand and grow their Petromex business with us,’ said Ramsay MacDonald
Certas Energy has reached agreement with Preston-based Petromex Forecourt Services that will see 13 million litres of retail volume moving to Gulf from Texaco, starting in the next two months.
Two of the sites, Millbrook Way in Preston and Canal Head in Ulverston have been acquired by Certas Energy with a third, Harwood Bar, also in Preston, secured on a long-term dealer supply agreement. The deal strengthens Gulf’s growing market share in north west England and further reinforces the brand’s credentials as a major force in UK petrol retailing.
“These are high quality forecourts and exciting strategic locations that will enable us to showcase the Gulf brand in the North West,” enthused retail director Ramsay MacDonald.
“We believe that under the Gulf brand we can increase volume by at least another three million litres as well as develop and enhance the shop and valeting businesses on site. The sites will look fantastic in Gulf colours and support our growth plans for the region.”
“We hope that any dealer looking to move from their current supplier to future-proof their business will see this investment as further evidence of our commitment to the sector and provide the confidence for them to trust us with their business. Dealers can be assured that development of our dealer offering and the Gulf brand proposition is ongoing to drive new business to Gulf sites and boost retailer margins. We’re also interested in acquiring further sites across the country and our team are ready to progress any interest from Independents and Groups keen to sell or lease their forecourts.”
Certas Energy currently supplies over 700 locations across the UK, including around 500 Gulf-branded forecourts. This latest acquisition signals a major step change as the existing portfolio of sites run by Certas forecourt staff are all located in Scotland.
“Year on year we have been growing our business across the UK and this presented a perfect opportunity to create three flagship Gulf forecourts in the north of England,” added Ramsay.
“We plan to implement changes in the next few months to enhance all three sites in what will be largest single investment in COCO (company-owned, company-operated sites) to date for Certas Energy and its parent, DCC.”www.certasenergy.co.uk
Oil NRG – now open for business across East Anglia
Independently-owned Oil NRG, which already has a major presence in rural areas from County Durham down to Lincolnshire, has opened a new depot near Thetford.
“The new depot will allow us to extend our independent fuel distribution from north Lincolnshire down through Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and in to Essex.” explained Oil NRG’s sales director, Jeremy Royle.
From its Hartlepool base on Teesside, Oil NRG also runs depots near Newcastle and York servicing customers throughout County Durham, Humberside, Tyneside, Teesside and Yorkshire and into Lincolnshire.
“With our new added presence in East Anglia, Oil NRG is the only independently-owned fuel distribution business to have a presence in the whole of the east and north of England, from the Thames to the Tweed,” added Jeremy.
Incorporated in 2007, Oil NRG is now run by managing director Roger Peart, ex-owner of third generation F Peart & Co; established in 1930, the company ran for 80 years prior to its sale in 2010.
“We’re delighted that we can continue to provide a higher level of service to our regional customers,” said Roger Peart.
“And the additional volume will mean we’re more than able to match the buying power of our larger national competitors.”
Oil NRG was recently recognised as one of UK’s most inspiring firms in a high-profile list from the London Stock Exchange Group.
“We’re delighted to have been recognised in this year’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report,” said Jeremy.
“This is a significant achievement with Oil NRG being the only oil distributor to be included. This is testament to the outstanding hard work, experience and professionalism of our whole team which provides great services to our customers. We are now looking forward to the opportunity to deliver the same across East Anglia.”
Having grown ‘significantly and consistently’, the company continues to invest in customer service, communications, vehicles, fleet technology and personnel. www.oilnrg.co.uk
BoilerJuice, which is backed by mid-market private equity firm Livingbridge, has announced the appointment of Lee Cowles as chief executive officer.
Lee, who was previously CEO at Nutmeg, the UK-based online discretionary wealth manager, said:
“It’s incredible to be joining BoilerJuice at a time when they’re on the cusp of unleashing their digital potential. This is a business with a strong track record within the digital space, and I look forward to driving this further.”
Up for an ecommerce award, Fuel Fighter has seen a 69.92% increase in conversion
Work on Fuel Fighter has secured a place on the Ecommerce Awards for Excellence shortlist for ecommerce agency Nublue.
The Lancaster-based ecommerce agency is on the shortlist for Best B2B Ecommerce for its work for heating oil suppliers Allan Stobart Fuels & Lubricants, Chandlers Oil, AID Fuel Oils Group and WCF North West and North East.
The project required an improved online experience for both the company’s users and the business itself. The team at Nublue were tasked with updating the company brand, user experience, ease of use for mobile visitors as well as developing a better, more functional back end experience for those maintaining the website.
The project was completed using CakePHP and resulted in a 69.92% increase in ecommerce conversion for Fuel Fighter.
Nublue is also a finalist in the Best Leisure, Entertainment, Sport, Travel & Holidays Ecommerce category, for their work on a conversion focused website for football suppliers Clubline Football which allows users to visualise the personalisation of products before purchase. The resulting website has seen a 63.58% increase in conversion.
“We’re always delighted to see a completed project working so well for our clients, so to add an industry recognition for that hard work is the icing on the cake,” said , Michael Ashworth, Nublue’s managing director.
The Ecommerce Awards for Excellence winners will be announced at a celebration ceremony on Wednesday 27 September following the first day of eCommerce Expo 2017 in London.www.fuelfighter.co.ukwww.nublue.co.uk
Representatives of the charity attended the celebration at Stanlow, to raise awareness amongst employees and to formally receive the donation
The sixth anniversary of the acquisition of Stanlow Refinery by Essar Oil UK has been recognised with a £7,500 donation from the company to the Ellesmere Port-based charity Cheshire Young Carers.
Employees also supported the organisation by raising an additional £1,800 through collections, a sum that will be matched by Essar and brings the total contribution to over £11,000.
Cheshire Young Carers provides respite support for some of the 8,000 young carers in Cheshire who have a caring responsibility for a parent or sibling. The core aims of the charity are to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of young carers by offering respite services to support them in their caring role, to support them through education and to support them through periods of crisis.
“The money that Essar has given us will make a huge difference to young carers in Cheshire,” said Martin Howlett, chairman of Cheshire Young Carers.
“To put it into perspective, the donation will directly support 30 young carers for twelve months. This will support a variety of programmes, including residential breaks, and sports and educational activities.”
Alan Jones, Service Manager at Cheshire Young Carers commented: “We aim to bring childhood opportunities to young carers, so that they can have a break from the caring responsibility, putting their stresses to one side while they socialise with others. As well as this, we are always here to talk to if they need some emotional support.”
“Every year, we invite a local charity to be our special guests at Stanlow,” commented Mr. S Thangapandian, CEO Essar Oil UK.
“Cheshire Young Carers are based close to the refinery in Ellesmere Port, and offer an excellent service to young carers across Cheshire. It was our pleasure to welcome them for our Charity Day, and I’m delighted that our donation and the fantastic fundraising efforts of our employees will help support the work they do.”www.essaroil.co.uk
In spite of the energy sector’s complex market structure, changing consumer buying behaviours and the growth of new fuel options, the company has weathered two recessions robustly and is continuing to grow.
The Inver Energy acquisition fulfils ‘a long-term ambition of Greenergy to participate in the Irish market’ with the acquisition offering ‘a very exciting opportunity for everyone at Inver’
Having agreed to purchase 100% of the shares of Inver Energy, Greenergy is looking forward to a presence in the growing Irish market for the first time.
Inver’s business activities include import and storage facilities and fuel supply operations in Ireland, as well as an Irish retail dealer network operating under the growing Inver brand. Inver’s existing management team will remain in place and Chris O’Callaghan, Inver’s managing director, will join the board of Greenergy Fuels Holdings.
“It’s been a long-term ambition of Greenergy to participate in the Irish market,” said Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive.
“As entrepreneur-founded private businesses, Greenergy and Inver are a perfect structural and cultural fit to fulfil this ambition. Both are customer-focused, can-do businesses with an emphasis on safety, operational reliability and low costs.
“By combining Greenergy’s global origination skills with Inver’s share of the recently constructed AFSC terminal in Ireland, its branded retail dealer offer and strong local customer relationships, we aim to accelerate the expansion of Inver’s business in Ireland.”
“The acquisition by Greenergy is a very exciting opportunity for everyone at Inver,” said Chris O’Callaghan.
“While we’re now part of a significantly larger business, we will continue to think and act ‘local’ and will maintain our commitment to our customers and their businesses. I look forward to steering the business through its next stage of development.”
Inver Energy is a leading fuel supplier in Ireland, supplying petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and heating oil to commercial and retail customers. Inver has a 50% shareholding in the AFSC import and storage facilities at Foynes, a strategic location on the west coast, and supplies independently owned forecourts through the Inver brand. It also owns a terminal in Cardiff, a portion of which is leased to Greenergy.
East Cork Oil Company continues as the other 50% partner in the AFSC import terminal in Foynes.www.inverenergy.comwww.greenergy.com
The IFC team – on the front row Chris Underwood, Rick Bartaby, Greg Clarke, Katrina Flynn and Kiran Shaw with Stuart Warren, Gary Davies, Billie Chapple, Lee Biggins and Matt Ward on the back row
Founded in 1987 as Industrial Flow Control to sell tanker loading and process metering equipment, today IFC Inflow is run by operations director Kiran Shaw and technical director Greg Clarke.
Jonathan Wiltshire who recently joined the Cobo team
Having been appointed as Cobo’s new sales manager for the UK and Ireland Jonathan Wiltshire got straight down to work on the Cobo stand at FPS EXPO 2017 in Liverpool.
This week UKPIA announced the appointment of its new director general – Stephen Marcos Jones will take up his role when the existing director general Chris Hunt retires in November.
“Stephen comes to us with an excellent academic record, many years of trade association advocacy experience and extensive knowledge of the sector,” said Paul Bray, UKPIA president and Valero’s director, European government & public affairs, who announced the appointment.
“UKPIA’s Council is excited to be working with Stephen on the many challenges that face the downstream oil industry over the coming years.”
Paul Bray also took the opportunity to “thank Chris for the 20 excellent years of service he has given UKPIA and his achievement in developing the Association into the effective and proficient body it is today.”
With increased hazardous waste capacity, Adler & Allan’s Rainham facility offers flexible opening times including evenings and weekends. The site also has a new quarantine facility with lab analysis for unknown wastes plus a lounge and refreshment area for drivers
Adler & Allan’s Rainham facility in east London has been expanded and upgraded. The facility now provides improved waste management and disposal, emergency response – covering flooding, spills and fuel delivery – and asset resilience solutions for tanks, drains and separators.
Located on the A13 and close to the M25, customers from London, Essex, Kent and East Anglia can conveniently access the site.
“With the south east the most densely populated part of the UK, it’s important that we have suitable facilities to service customers in this region,” said Alan Scrafton, Adler & Allan’s head of marketing.
“Rainham’s expansion and upgrade is an exciting development that should help businesses in the area better manage their waste and maintain their assets, with disasters dealt with quickly, and essential equipment, such as tanks and separators, kept in good working order.”
Adler & Allan Rainham can accept and process a wide range of packaged and bulk hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, including chemicals, corrosives, firewater, drummed, IBC’s and lab smalls, plus provide the decontamination and disposal of associated containers.
Its emergency response provision is available 24/7, 365 days a year to local customers, designed to minimise damage and clean-up following an environmental disaster. Fuel delivery is also covered, ensuring essential vehicles, plant machinery and general operations and fully functional.
The onsite fleet of tankers, fitted with the best pumping equipment on the market, are available to carry fuel and other bulk liquids/products, or remove waste. Adler & Allan Rainham also offers separator cleaning and maintenance, essential for preventing pollution and flooding on forecourts and other sites that store or handle fuel.
Other services include above or below ground storage tank cleaning and removal, using the most advanced manual and automated tank cleaning technologies available, High pressure industrial water jetting – for hydro demolition and cleaning contaminated surfaces, such as drains – and 24 hour fly tip clearance.www.adlerandallan.co.uk
The MechTronic cycling team – Ben, Brad and Chris – are raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support
The MechTronic team – Ben, Brad and Chris – took up their first cycling challenge of 2017 with the 100km Maserati Tour de Yorkshire in May to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The ride covers 1,974 metres of climbing and includes several testing ascents and descents through stunning landscapes. Riders take on a tough uphill section leading to the Emley Moor transmitting station – its tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the UK – before passing by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and descending to the finish at Fox Valley.
Having enjoyed some lovely sunshine, the team finished the ride in just under 4 hours – proof that their training over the winter months had certainly paid off!
The next challenge for Chris and Ben was the Etape du Dales – a 110-mile route traffic-light free route through Wharfedale, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Arkengarthdale, Birkdale, Garsdale, Dentdale, Ribblesdale.
“This was the hardest ride we’ve ever done, some of the hills are steep and there isn’t a lot of flat ground on which to recover, but I’m glad we made it in just over 7 hours,” said Chris.
With his presence needed on the MechTronic stand at FPS EXPO, Brad was unable to take part in the latter challenge.
“I was at the FPS show a few days before the race when the training diet went out of the window, but I’m so proud of Ben and Chris, they did so well and I hope I can join them next year.”
On Saturday 17th June the MechTronic team will be doing the 70-mile Great Yorkshire Bike Ride. If you would like to sponsor the team, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wilkiecycling