News 45
Five people, including the former owners of a Sussex petrol station have been sentenced for distributing and selling an estimated 4.8 million litres of illicit fuel to unsuspecting motorists, including haulage companies across the south east.
Top 50 Indies forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) has announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase the south-west of England forecourt operator, Symonds Retail Limited.
The transaction is scheduled to close early November 2019.
“We are particularly delighted with this transaction because in addition to their existing 10 operating stations we also have three ‘new to industry sites’ in the acquisition package,” commented Jeremy Clarke, chief operating officer at MFG.
“Within the existing 10 stations, there are six BP branded, three Shell and one Texaco. The retail offer is split between Londis and Budgens with one station offering Subway and another one offering Greggs.
“We intend to open the three ‘new to industry’ stations in 2020, all with an excellent retail and ‘food to go’ offer and with the important addition of a dedicated high power EV charging hub.”
This acquisition will bring the total number of stations operated by MFG to 904, maintaining their position as the UK’s largest independent forecourt operator.
On Friday 11th October, Certas Energy opened its latest HGV refuelling site at the Red Lion Truckstop in Northamptonshire’s ‘golden triangle’ of logistics for over 30 years.
UK Fuels and the Co-op have signed an agreement that will see the Co-op filling stations added to the UK Fuels network. This will allow UK Fuels card holders to use their cards to purchase fuel at 133 Co-op sites nationwide.
Myra McPartlin, who joined Certas Energy from DCC in 2016, has been appointed to the role of regional manager in the south east of England
Gulf Retail has appointed Myra McPartlin as regional manager, south East, replacing the long-serving Steve White who has retired. Myra, who was previously area business manager in Scotland, has worked more recently in the north West.
Myra joined Certas Energy in 2016 from parent company DCC where, as part of the company’s graduate programme, she undertook a variety of roles. She is a graduate of University College, Dublin and then went on to successfully complete a Masters’ degree in business and management at Trinity College in 2014.
“In a relatively short period of time Myra has proven her retail and managerial credentials and we are delighted to promote her,” explains Craig Nugent, head of dealer sales.
“She will add further drive and enthusiasm to a highly experienced team, all committed to support our dealers and grow the Gulf network.”
“It’s a fantastic challenge and I know I have a huge responsibility at this exciting time in the development of the Gulf brand,” enthuses Myra.
“There is a great camaraderie in Certas Energy, and I shall continue to play my part as we drive the brand forward. Since joining Gulf Retail, I’ve really enjoyed my life on the road, meeting dealers and building long term and mutually beneficial partnerships and I look forward to replicating this within the south East.”
At a recently held event, Suttons customers were able to participate in a variety of workshops led by the company’s senior managers. The focus was on the organisation’s safety culture, compliance excellence and an innovative technology project with fleet telematics provider Microlise.
Hull-based J.R. Rix & Sons has reported a 21% rise in turnover in 2018, due to the integration of two new fuel businesses and the fluctuating price of oil.
Greenergy is to commence supply of marine fuel containing maximum 0.5% sulphur, also known as Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil, from November, ahead of changes to marine fuel specifications effective 1 January 2020.
Certas Energy has overseen the collaboration with the British Truck Racing Association (BTRA) and Shell to obtain FIA approval on the use of a cleaner burning diesel alternative fuel.
Having worked closely with government over the past three years ‘to develop new trading processes for the UK’s businesses to use after Brexit’, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) reported that the Yellowhammer document showed that ‘there is still much that could go wrong and still much that has to be done to keep Britain trading effectively’.
‘Many of the details may seem trivial but are actually crucial to the successful protection and continuation of the UK’s supply chain, and industry needs key decisions to be made urgently to keep imports and exports moving efficiently.
‘We are still very concerned by the risk that fuel supplies could be impacted, considering this would affect the movement of goods both domestically and internationally – at no point in the past three years of negotiations has any indication of this nature been made to us or our 18,000 members by government.’
See Operation Yellowhammer document here.
Unite the Union’s alarm has grown after the publication of the Operation Yellowhammer document with the union accusing the government of suppressing vital information on the future supply of petrol in the event of a no deal Brexit.
Unite is concerned about the future of all six UK oil and chemical refineries due to the government’s plans to introduce zero tariffs on European Union petroleum products in the event of a no deal Brexit, while tariffs would apply to UK exports.
By destroying the level playing field and with the fact that most UK refineries are owned by companies based abroad, Unite fears that all the UK’s refineries will suffer from a lack of investment at best and complete closure at worst.
Allowing cheap imports of petrol and other products into the UK, would in the long-term lead to an increase in costs and major strategic problems about the security of a supply, with the UK becoming entirely reliant on foreign refineries.
Unite has been working in parallel with the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) and the wider industry about these concerns but the government has not engaged with the sector’s fears.
“This is a crucial matter for everyone in the UK and yet when the industry tries to speak to the government it is failing to engage,” said Unite national officer Tony Devlin.
“Once again the government is flailing about, proposing to bring in troops to drive tankers which is entirely unnecessary but is not prepared to act to preserve the UK’s oil refineries, which are of crucial importance.”
INEOS Automotive has confirmed that the Grenadier will be built in a bespoke new manufacturing facility on a greenfield site in Bridgend, South Wales.
The new utilitarian 4×4 has been named ‘Grenadier’ after the pub in which it was conceived. Over 6,000 international fans and followers responded to an online poll to choose the vehicle’s name.
Creating 200 jobs initially, and up to 500 in the long term, site development is now under way in support of a planned production start of 2021.
“We have looked long and hard at possible manufacturing locations for Grenadier across the world with lots of good options to choose from,” said Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS group chairman.
“The decision to build in the UK is a significant expression of confidence in British manufacturing, which has always been at the heart of what INEOS stands for.”
JET’s new forecourt design has received an overwhelmingly positive response from consumers and dealers alike. Feedback was gathered during a recent 12-site pilot of the new forecourt design. The pilot has now successfully completed, with two company owned and ten dealer owned sites taking part.
Commenting on the findings in Oil & Gas UK’s 2019 Economic Report ‘Roadmap to 2035: A Blueprint for net-zero’, published on 4th September, Graham Hollis, senior partner for Deloitte in Aberdeen, said:
The 2019 Tank Storage Association Conference & Exhibition is fast approaching. The event will take place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on the 26th September and will be attended by representatives from terminal operations and across wider industry.
The TSA Conference has a reputation for attracting high quality authoritative speakers from industry, government and its agencies. This year’s conference schedule includes presentations on topics such as IMO 2020, energy transition, future health and safety regulation and understanding societal vs individual risk. The full schedule can be found on the TSA website.
Delegates will include colleagues from across the bulk liquid storage sector, with an interest in logistics, HSE, quality standards and latest industry regulations. Advanced registration is strongly advised as the venue capacity is limited. Prospective delegates can register online via the TSA website.
Aside from the conference, the event also includes an exhibition of 62 companies, providing delegates with the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in products and services. We are pleased to welcome many new companies who will be making their TSA exhibition debut.
To register as a delegate or to find out more about the TSA Conference & Exhibition, visit www.tankstorage.org.uk/conference-exhibition
An industry led report from the REA has urged ministers to commit to 16% of the UK’s primary energy supply coming from bioenergy by 2032 in order to sustain UK energy security or risk jeopardising that security.
Already providing 7.4% of primary energy supply, bioenergy’s contribution must more than double by 2032 if the UK is to address impending deficits, such as the looming nuclear gap, and meet growing electricity demand in the heat and transport sectors.
Coinciding with the start of autumn, UKIFDA and OFTEC have joined forces to launch their ‘Get Winter Ready‘ campaign which is designed to encourage the 1.5m heating oil customers across the UK to change their energy habits.
OFTEC has been working alongside BEIS and other heating industry organisations to compile a questionnaire for installers to complete. The news release launching this survey is below. Please note, you only have until MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER to respond.
Earlier this month, UKPIA published its annual review of the downstream oil industry. The Statistical Review 2019, which UKPIA has published since 2003, is a comprehensive and accessible compilation of UK downstream oil industry statistics. It draws together recent information on the sector from across a range of sources including government departments and UKPIA members.
Key statistics this year include:
Argus, which was the first price reporting agency to launch assessments for IMO 2020 compliant fuels in 2018, has produced a transition timeline infographic highlighting the key milestones to look out for.
Additionally, during International Shipping Week, Argus will be holding a free forum on 9th September to explore the impact of IMO 2020 in more depth. The company’s consulting and editorial teams will be discussing the effects of this era defining regulation change.
Topics include:
Bob Taylor, managing director of Watson Fuels – the company ‘offers a suite of high-quality products and consultancy services to help construction businesses maximise efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of their vehicles and machinery’
In October, Watson Fuels will not only be supporting the sponsorship of the 2019 British Construction Industry Awards (BCIAs) for the seventh year running, the company will also be sponsoring the Environment and Sustainability Initiative of the Year award.
The BCIAs are the construction sector’s most prestigious Awards. The Awards recognise and reward excellence in project delivery, with the annual ceremony attended by over 1,000 senior executives from key industry leaders and stakeholders.
Reducing the impact of construction projects and activity on the natural environment, and specifically reducing associated carbon emissions, has become a dominant theme within the industry in recent years. With projects in Low Emission Zones now often subject to stringent environmental legislation, the importance of environmental and sustainability-related initiatives and innovations is crucial.
“Environmental efficiency is now at the fore of the construction sector, so it’s important to recognise key achievements in this area,” commented Bob Taylor, managing director, Watson Fuels which strives to be environmentally conscious in everything it does.
As an official distributor of Texaco lubricants and Esso Diesel Efficient™ fuel, among other industry-leading brands, Watson Fuels offers a suite of high-quality products and consultancy services to help construction businesses maximise efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of their vehicles and machinery.
The British Construction Industry Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 9th October 2019, at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London, where winners of each of the 16 categories will be revealed.
North West-based logistics specialists Suttons International is working with Border Force, assisting its officers in the fight against smuggling.
Inter Pipeline is exploring the potential sale of its European bulk liquid storage business, saying it is consistent with the company’s practice of making prudent, long-term portfolio management decisions.
The company says that should a sale be completed, proceeds could be used to reduce outstanding debt and finance Inter Pipeline’s capital expenditure programme, including the Heartland Petrochemical Complex.
Christian Bayle, president and CEO of Inter Pipeline, said:
“Inter Terminals is a high-quality business with outstanding management and staff. It has made an important contribution to the success and growth of Inter Pipeline over the past 14 years.
“Our decision to explore alternatives is consistent with Inter Pipeline’s practice of making prudent, long-term portfolio management decisions particularly in light of our organic growth initiatives.”
Phillips 66, trading as JET, has secured two new site wins with Top 50 Indie operator, TG Convenience Stores, choosing JET as its supplier for its recently acquired Felling and Sunderland Road forecourts. Both sites are located close to each other in Gateshead, north east England.
As part of a strategy to bring its group of companies together, Adler and Allan launched a new brand and logo earlier this month, with the new brand reflecting the company’s enhanced range of services and solutions.