News 75
The Thurrock ECO Stars fleet recognition scheme is celebrating its 50th member with the sign up of Greenergy Flexigrid, who has been awarded a top rating of five stars.
The ECO Stars (Efficient and Cleaner Operations) scheme was first launched by Travel Thurrock in April 2012 to encourage fleet operators to improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions – all to help improve local air quality. Since then more than 2000 vehicles have been signed up to the scheme with each member receiving a star rating for their fleet.
Greenergy is the UK’s largest supplier of road fuel and third largest private company in UK, supplying over a quarter of all road fuel sold. Flexigrid is Greenergy’s in-house haulage fleet with 101 trucks nationally and 15 driver depots throughout the UK, the largest of which is based in Thurrock.
Ross Monkhouse, fleet asset manager for Greenergy Flexigrid, said: “We are proud to have been awarded five stars – the highest ranking – under the Eco Stars recognition scheme for our commitment to maximising fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions through the introduction of new trucks and technology to monitor fuel usage.”
Thurrock is part of the Thames Gateway national growth area with the potential for increased traffic growth and C02 emissions from freight transport. For this reason Travel Thurrock adopted sustainable freight as a core element of its Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) programme.
Cllr Andy Smith, responsible for Thurrock Council’s regeneration, highways and transportation, said: “We are delighted to reach this milestone in a little under three years. Our roadmap to improve transport performance and reduce costs and carbon emissions is providing a better environment for our community.”
ECO Stars was originally set up in 2009 in South Yorkshire and has since expanded to run in York, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Mid Devon, Nottinghamshire, Dundee, North Lanarkshire, Warrington, Sefton, Thurrock, Fife and South Lanarkshire. There are also further schemes in Europe as part of an EU project.
www.thurrockfqp.com
The BlueStream MultiServ Station from OTS
BlueStream tank storage has been launched by Oil Tank Supplies (OTS) as the solution to the storage, dispensing and management of Adblue – used in the latest generation of commercial diesel vehicles for the removal of environmental pollutant, nitrous oxide.
To meet stricter EU exhaust emission regulations for commercial vehicles, the automotive industry has adopted several technologies. One is “selective catalytic reduction” (SCR), where harmful exhaust gases are converted to nitrogen and water by catalytic conversion. Using this system, vehicles are fitted with an Adblue tank, from which the solution is injected into the engine exhaust stream immediately after the combustion chamber. Adblue consumption is between 4% and 6% of the diesel consumption.
Aimed at both fuel retailers and vehicle operators with their own fuel storage capabilities, the BlueStream range allows the option of dedicated single or multi-point Adblue dispensing, service bars including air, water and vacuum, and multi-serve points incorporating fuel options. Each comes with the option of “pay at pump” for retail forecourts and control via fuel management systems for commercial clients.
Adblue will be more widely used as new EU regulations take effect, says OTS. As a result, it will become a much more prominent feature at filling stations and vehicle depots, with the BlueStream range giving controlled storage, management and dispensing options.www.oiltanksupplies.co.uk
The Energy Institute’s (EI) latest issue of the “IP Standard test methods for analysis and testing of petroleum and related products and British Standard 2000 Parts, 2014” is now available.
The publication – published as “an essential part of any quality control regime for petroleum testing laboratories” – is the 72nd edition and details 322 full test methods, including seven brand new methods.
The EI is regarded as a world-class leader in test method development, with the EI Test Method Standardisation Committee working closely with international standards agencies, as well as publishing jointed methods to produce British, European and international standards.
The newest test methods to be included in the edition are:
Members of the Tenby lifeboat crew thank Valero for its life-saving gift
RNLI volunteers in Angle and Tenby have thanked Valero Pembroke Refinery, following another vital donation of fuel oil during the busy summer season. Valero’s annual donation has been a regular gift since 2005.
Figures recently released by the RNLI in support of a major drowning awareness campaign – “Respect the Water” – revealed that 65 lives were saved by Wales’s RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards during 2013. Last year, RNLI lifeboats from Tenby launched 72 times and rescued 47 people, whilst Angle lifeboats launched 40 times and rescued 48 people.
Lewis Creese, RNLI coxswain at Angle RNLI Lifeboat Station said: “Fuel is one of the RNLI charity’s greatest costs and naturally we see an increase in consumption during the summer months. During this time our volunteer crews are busier than ever saving lives at sea. The figures show the number of lives saved across Welsh coast, but without fuel we wouldn’t have been able to get to these people and bring them to safety – it’s a vital ingredient in what we do.
“The RNLI is also very grateful to K P Thomas fuel distribution for collecting the free fuel and delivering to both Tenby and Angle without charge.”
Valero public affairs manager, Stephen Thornton, commented: “Valero Pembroke Refinery has been proud to support the RNLI with donations of fuel since 2005. Safety is Valero’s number one priority, and whilst in Pembrokeshire we are very fortunate to be able to enjoy such a stunning coastline, we rely on the RNLI to help keep us and our families safe at sea. Providing free fuel is Valero’s way of paying tribute to the RNLI’s brave volunteers who keep people living, working and visiting Pembrokeshire safe all year round.”
DCC plc, the international sales, marketing, distribution and business support services group, has reached agreement in principle with Esso Société Anonyme Française (“Esso SAF”) to acquire the Esso Express unmanned retail petrol station network and the Esso Motorway concessions in France.
The acquisition is subject to the conclusion of the French Works Council consultation process and EC competition clearance. The transaction is expected to complete in the first half of 2015. The total consideration will be €106 million (£84 million), plus stock in tank at the date of acquisition.
This will be DCC Energy’s second major acquisition in the European unmanned retail petrol station market following the acquisition of Qstar in Sweden in May 2014 and is a further step in DCC’s strategy to build a larger presence in the transport fuels sector.
The acquisition will comprise: Esso SAF’s network of 274 Esso Express unmanned petrol stations; 48 Esso branded motorway concessions; and contracts to supply around 75 dealer owned and operated sites. As part of the transaction, DCC Energy will enter into a long term branded supply agreement with Esso SAF.
The acquired business will have annual volumes of approximately 1.9 billion litres, revenues of approximately €2.2 billion (£1.7 billion) and is expected to generate an initial return on invested capital of approximately 15%.
On completion of the acquisition, DCC Energy will operate 672 retail service stations across Europe and supply in excess of 2,000 dealer owned service stations. On a pro-forma basis, DCC Energy’s product split by volume will be 58% road transport fuels, 16% commercial fuels, 16% heating oil and 10% LPG.
Tommy Breen, chief executive of DCC plc, commented: “The acquisition of Esso SAF Retail will be DCC Energy’s first acquisition in France. It represents a significant further step in DCC’s strategy to build a larger presence in the transport fuels sector and provides DCC with an excellent platform for growth in the French market.”
Back in September 2011, Fuel Oil News editor Jane Hughes visited Heathrow Airport to learn more about the airside fuel operation at Airport Energy. In May, a return visit was made to learn about a new telematics system developed by AE Telematics
“We’ve had a very good couple of years,” said executive chairman Phil Wright. “The reconstruction of Terminal 2 (opened last month), certainly gave an excellent boost to fuel sales.”
Airport Energy fuels over 7000 vehicles and pieces of equipment that are essential to the smooth running of the airport. Fuel is not the only commodity that this company supplies.
“With fuel being the biggest cost in running any vehicle or piece of equipment, everyone’s desperate for data to help them better manage both costs and fleets more effectively,” explained Phil. “With today’s technology just about anything can be measured and we can now provide our customers with a complete fuel management solution to include a fuel, servicing and tracking record.”
Adding telematics
The company has recently added a third tier to its well-tried and tested automated vehicle recognition system (AVR) fuel management system offering. Already benefiting from complete control and security over fuel usage and more effective fleet management, the company’s customers can now access fleet telematics.
“Back in 2000, Heathrow’s suppliers had surprisingly little knowledge or control of fuel usage and costs. The introduction of a fuel management system was a revelation to many with each additional piece of information introduced since being very well received,” explained Phil.
“We trialed our new telematics system with our 11 drivers and also with British Airways, with endless insights into individual vehicle and driver performance, it was found to be a no brainer. Using telematics shows where driver training can save money.
“The technology being used stems from Formula 1 racing where the fine tuning of a vehicle coupled with the performance of the driver is paramount to its success,” said technical engineer Ian Breckon when explaining the telematics system.
“Our aim is for customers not to waste a single drop of fuel. We want to maximise vehicle utilisation around the airport; by April 2015 every vehicle will have a tracker enabling every movement/incident to be tracked via a sensor.
Dependant on the detail required, standard or customised reporting is available. This covers items such as fuel usage, speed, harsh braking and turning, CO2 and NoX emissions – as environmental legislation steps up a gear, NoX emissions from transport are becoming the focus of attention.
“We don’t want to bombard the user with endless data so it’s possible to select and condense information into focused reports,” said Ian. “From information received users can then make informed decisions relating to relative cost effectiveness as vehicles and equipment age, using it to compare the performance of different makes/models.
“Warnings about excess speed can be set up; if the speed limit is exceeded an email or sms can be sent within 20 seconds. The aim of this data is to educate and improve the bottom line, not to punish. If desired, a reward system can be set up for drivers/operators.
“The integration of fuel usage data from our fully automated refueling system together with vehicle tracking data provides a unique total vehicle and fleet package in one place, giving complete control with easy access to all the data,” added Ian.
Airport accolade
Heathrow Airport has 1,500 suppliers; Airport Energy is now a top 55 strategic supplier.
“High standards are demanded by the airport authority so this is a real accolade,” said Phil. “From our origins as a specialised fuel supplier we’ve developed the business to provide a total fuel and vehicle management package.
As a strategic supplier the company participates in quarterly meetings with the airside director responsible for procurement. The meetings review the supplier’s contract performance, innovation, KPIs and successes.
Branching out
Having had considerable success with its fuel management system in the airport arena, the company took a stand at this year’s CV Show, to raise awareness of the system with a wider audience.
“It was good to dip our toe in the water at such a big show,” said Phil. “Because everyone wants to measure business performance, telematics is definitely flavour of the month and we had a lot of interest.”
Not standing still
Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport, sees 70% of the UK’s air traffic activity. At the time of visiting, plans for the airport’s further development had just been published. Whilst there will be continued development of terminals there is currently less construction activity.
“Heathrow is in desperate need of a third runway,” said Phil. “But, this is a political football at the moment, and only time will tell if this is ever going to happen.
“Whilst Airport Energy will continue its long term contractual arrangements with the airport, there will be many challenges in the meantime, Phil said. “It’s essential to continually look at new areas, you cannot simply stand still.”
On 2nd August 2015, Phil will celebrate 50 years in the fuel industry, it is very clear that time has not dimmed his enthusiasm for the industry.
In mid May, Craggs Energy rolled out Oil Price Protect which offers a new way for domestic customers to buy their kerosene
The idea was initially sparked by conversations with customers worried about rising oil prices and hefty winter fuel bills.
“Top of the customers’ wish list was cheaper kerosene, next was being able to avoid the unknown when it came to winter fuel bills,” said managing director Chris Bingham. “Whilst we couldn’t affect a change to the former due to the many variables that control the price of oil, we felt we were in a position to do something about the latter. Having assisted commercial customers with their annual fuel needs via hedging, we looked at a version to suit our domestic customers.”
Having a technology background, enabled Chris to build an online platform and start testing Oil Price Protect in selected areas in April last year. Checking with the FPS to ensure that the scheme met the criteria for the Code of Practice, over the last six months the scheme has been ‘tested to death’ reports Chris.
To get an Oil Price Protect quote, a customer simply enters their postcode, email address and yearly kerosene consumption. An annual fixed price is then sent to the customer within 5-6 minutes. Prices do vary slightly across the UK given distances. There are payment options and customers paying the annual cost upfront receive a discount. Fuel is then delivered as and when required throughout the year.
Trials, feedback and going live
“Before going live we wanted to be sure that the back end system could cope. The trial also gave us the opportunity to get valuable feedback which in turn helped us refine the offering now launched. To date 95% of those who took part in the trial have signed up to continue buying their kerosene through Oil Price Protect,” said Chris.
“Prior to Oil Price Protect, like most other distributors, we did offer different ways to pay including direct debit. Customers told us that in common with other utility bills, they were alarmed when direct debits suddenly shot up. Our customers wanted more control – a pensioner on a fixed income feels more secure knowing exactly what they have to pay as does a family on a tight budget. People don’t get excited by the oil price falling but they do get scared when the price keeps rising. A fixed price may be slightly more expensive but it is good value if you want or need price protection.”
Following the trial, all Craggs Energy’s domestic customers have received a letter explaining the benefits of Oil Price Protect. Picked up by the national media, Chris has recently spoken about the scheme on local radio stations in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Scotland and Cambridgeshire.
Extending Oil Price Protect
Not only are Craggs Energy’s own domestic customers able to gain peace of mind, so are those of its partner distributors nationwide.
“It’s still very early days but we’re encouraged by the response. Yes, it’s more expensive than today’s spot price but the reality is that no one can really get cheap fuel in the winter; but fixing the price does give customers peace of mind.
Although we expect the scheme to be relatively low key this year, we’re looking for more mutually beneficial partnerships to spread the scheme.
“We do get asked about what happens if the price falls; the answer to that is don’t fix your price. But if a domestic customer is worried about the oil price rising, it makes sense to fix the price for 12 months in advance. There’s no more shopping around, fixed payments can be spread throughout the year and if the price did go up in winter, they’re protected,” added Chris.
Two petrol stations have been raided and seven men and two women from across southern England have been arrested for their involvement in a suspected £3m fuel fraud, during an operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Around 170 HMRC officers, assisted by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Sussex and Hampshire Police, searched 12 residential premises, five business premises and two petrol stations in East and West Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hampshire and Somerset.
The investigation is focused on the suspected illegal purchase and sale of rebated kerosene and biofuel to motorists as duty-paid road diesel. It is believed the fraud is worth an estimated £3m in unpaid excise duty and VAT.
All those arrested were questioned by HMRC investigators and released on bail while enquiries continue.
Meanwhile, in Co Tyrone, a man and a woman have been arrested and nearly 8,000 litres of fuel seized as part of an ongoing HMRC investigation into a suspected VAT and excise fraud worth an estimated £300,000.
HMRC officers, accompanied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, searched a private address and a retail site in the Cookstown area where they seized computers and business records linked to the fraud investigation.
And a woman has been arrested after a laundering plant, capable of producing nearly 3.6 million litres of illicit fuel a year and evading over £2 million in lost duty and taxes, was discovered by HMRC officers during a search of domestic premises in Co Armagh. Four tonnes of toxic waste was safely removed from the site.
Phillips 66 staff prepare for the Grand Union Canal Challenge
Phillips 66 has raised vital funds for ILEAP, a South Warwickshire charity that provides inclusive community-based leisure activities for vulnerable children and adults with additional needs.
In July a team from Phillips 66 took part in the Grand Union Canal Challenge, raising a total of £6,300 for the charity. Twenty seven employees faced the tough challenge of walking, cycling, or kayaking 60 miles along the canal in just 24 hours. The distance of 60 miles was chosen because 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of JET, the fuel brand of Phillips 66.
Peter Bazeley, ILEAP manager, said: “The money raised by Phillips 66 will pay for the 2014 ILEAP summer holiday activity programme, providing over 100 disabled people with personalised activities throughout summer.”
Pete George, managing director, Phillips 66 UK & Ireland marketing, added: “We pride ourselves in giving back to our local communities. It’s part of our legacy and identity as a company. Here at our Warwick office we strongly believe in giving back to our communities in various ways. ILEAP provides fantastic support to families throughout the region so we were delighted to donate all the funds raised through our Grand Union Canal Challenge to this very worthy cause.”www.phillips66.com
Jeremy Hawksley, director general, OFTEC
Targets set out in the impact assessment produced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) state that Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will support around 750,000 renewable heat installations by 2020 – that is approximately 10,800 new accreditations per month.
Latest figures from OFGEM show that since the RHI was launched in April, 5,158 renewable heating systems have been accredited under the scheme. At the current rate of take up, DECC’s goal of 10,800 new accreditations per month looks unrealistic.
According to OFTEC, a simple, all-inclusive boiler scrappage scheme would go much further than the costly and complex RHI in helping the government achieve its ambitious goal of 80% less carbon emissions by 2050. This is because it would appeal to a far wider audience.
Jeremy Hawksley, director general at OFTEC, comments: “Even before the RHI was launched, we voiced concerns that the scheme would suffer the same fate as the Green Deal. RHI payments only come into play once the renewable heating system has been installed and the average consumer simply cannot afford to get started due to the high upfront costs of between £8,000 and £19,000 to install these technologies.
“Whilst we recognise that the initial take-up of any such scheme is often low and that momentum may build, there is going to have to be an enormous surge of interest in the RHI to meet government targets. We are doubtful that with such a costly and complex scheme this will happen.”
Jeremy Hawksley continues: “What the country needs is a simple, accessible scheme which consumers can really get to grips with. We already know that a boiler scrappage scheme works as a similar initiative in 2010 saw 120,000 old, inefficient boilers replaced.”
OFTEC’s concern about lack of interest in the domestic RHI is supported by a recent survey conducted by OFTEC and Watson Petroleum of 750 oil heated homes. This revealed that just 4% would consider switching to an air source heat pump, with 73% choosing to upgrade to a new oil condensing boiler.
Jeremy Hawksley concludes: “The government needs to think again and instead of pushing expensive renewables which will only appeal to the wealthy few, it should channel its resources into realistic boiler upgrade schemes that will encourage millions of home owners to take simple yet effective energy efficiency measures which will collectively make a greater contribution to CO2 reduction targets.”
OFTEC’s view that only the relatively wealthy can afford the high initial investment. As such it’s clearly a regressive policy. This is important because rural dwellers and, by extension oil heating users, contain a higher proportion of people living in fuel poverty than the population as a whole. So the people who most need help to upgrade and improve their energy efficiency are effectively prevented from accessing RHI because the upfront cost is unaffordable – exacerbated because their homes are often difficult to improve. By contrast, the scrappage scheme that we advocate would be much cheaper both for homeowners and for government to implement and more likely to be successful as a result.
The UK will guarantee a 230-million-pound ($394 million) loan for an upgrade of Ineos AG’s petrochemical plant at Grangemouth in Scotland, protecting jobs ahead of September’s independence referendum.
The loan guarantee will allow Ineos to start work immediately on building Europe’s biggest ethane storage tank.
“The Grangemouth guarantee is fantastic news for Scotland’s economic future, and for the UK’s energy security,” said chief secretary to the treasury, Danny Alexander. “Our action is creating the right conditions for more investment in our infrastructure, helping to build a stronger economy and a fairer society across the country.”
The loan will secure thousands of jobs, and the work is vital if the refinery is to continue operating after 2017, says the treasury. The announcement comes as ministers are seeking to press the benefits of Scotland staying part of the UK ahead of the September 18th independence referendum.
Alexander, who represents a Scottish seat in the House of Commons, and chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, have repeatedly made the economic case for the union.
Ineos, a British company which relocated to Switzerland for tax purposes, is pioneering the import of cheaper ethane from the US as North Sea production wanes and higher energy and feedstock costs squeeze commodity chemical producers in western Europe. The Grangemouth plant, the company’s biggest, combines both chemical production and oil refining.
MFG managing director, Jeremy Clarke
Motor Fuel Group (MFG) has signed an agreement to purchase the retail assets of Murco Petroleum Limited (Murco), which is scheduled to close by the end of September.
Jeremy Clarke, managing director, MFG said: “We are delighted with this exciting transaction. The signing of this agreement supports our stated objective to grow Motor Fuel Group into a significant force in the UK forecourt sector.”
MFG currently operates 60 stations throughout the UK. Operating primarily under the BP and Jet fuel brands, the company also offers the Costcutter brand at forecourts.
The acquisition of Murco will add another 228 company stations to the MFG network and a 200 plus dealer network to the Group. All of these stations will continue to offer fuel under the Murco brand. The forecourt shops on the Murco company station network also operate under the Costcutter brand. www.motorfuelgroup.com
OPW has signed an agreement to acquire all the outstanding shares of Liquip International.
David Crouse, OPW president of OPW, commented: “The acquisition of Liquip is another important step in the global growth strategy of OPW. Liquip significantly strengthens OPW’s fluid handling position in Australia and throughout Asia Pacific. By combining our products, we create a truly best in class product portfolio meeting the unique requirements of our chemical and industrial and tank truck customers.”
Liquip expects to generate revenue of approximately USD $40 million in 2014. The transaction is subject to certain customary and other closing conditions, and is expected to close in the third quarter.
Lubricants supplier, Seletar Services, is relaunching its Great Yarmouth site following an investment of more than £250,000 to develop new office and depot facilities.
Seletar Services – part of Certas Energy – hosted an open day recently to show customers, including Boston Putford, Shell Exploration, Seajacks and Air Products, the improvements which have been made since the site was first acquired in February 2012.
Ross Buckland, head of lubricants at Certas Energy, said: “The investment in the site is testament to our commitment to maintaining a long-term presence at our Great Yarmouth base, in order to provide the best possible service to our customers.
“The open day was a great opportunity to catch up with our customers in person and show them the work we’ve done.”
Seletar Services is one of the largest stockists and suppliers of all lubricants used in the wind farm and oil and gas industries operating in the southern North Sea.
The marine division of Certas has depots in many major UK ports, including the Isle of Wight, Port of Tyne, Isle of Man, Orkney, Southampton and Shetland Islands. It also has facilities in Aberdeen, on the Thames, in Dundee, and in Oban, as well as a nationwide delivery infrastructure.
As reported in July, Essar’s 1000 employees at the Stanlow Oil Refinery are being offered a voluntary severance package, now rumoured to be worth a fixed-sum of £30,000.
All employees will be offered the “leaver incentive” package, but not all “volunteers” will be accepted by management.
“The offer is available to all employees, but will be granted on a discretionary basis, dependent on the right blend of skills and experience required to help us build a positive and long term future for our business,” said Ian Cotton, head of communications and community for Essar Oil (UK) Ltd.
In a statement explaining the move, Mr Cotton said: “Essar Oil UK announced in February our intention to increase the production of higher value products from the Stanlow refinery by closing the smaller of our two crude refining units later this year.
“As a result of this optimised configuration going forward, organisational changes may be required to create additional efficiencies.
“Before considering any changes, Essar Oil UK has, in conjunction with a proposal from a specially formed Joint Working Group of employees from across the company, decided to offer an entirely voluntary leaver incentive scheme to staff who may be considering alternative options for their future career.
“The amount on offer is a fixed sum to all employees – but we consider that detail confidential between ourselves and our staff.”
Essar have denied reports it intends to sell Britain’s second largest oil refinery, which it bought from Shell in 2011 for $350 million. The refinery supplies around 15 per cent of the UK’s transport fuels, which equates to an annual production of more than two billion litres of jet fuel, three billion litres of petrol and 3.5 billion litres of diesel. It also processes over 11 million tonnes of crude oil each year.
The company, part of the Indian Essar Group, said refining margins had been “exceptionally poor” but stressed its commitment to working in the region and in the UK.
Gulf Aviation supplies fuel at airports throughout the UK
Gulf Aviation, part of national fuel and lubricants supplier Certas Energy, has significantly extended its presence in Scotland after securing fuel supply contracts with Lufthansa, Virgin Airways and Thomas Cook at Aberdeen International, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.
The deal with Germany’s national carrier also includes fuel supply to three other major airlines, which are owned by or affiliated to Lufthansa, operating at the Scottish airports – Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, Edelweiss and Austrian Airlines.
Alex Murphy, head of Gulf Aviation, said: “Our contracts with Lufthansa and Thomas Cook are the latest in a series of significant contract wins, which have seen us extend our scope in the commercial aviation industry across the UK among national and international airlines. This new deal will give us an increased presence in three major Scottish airports, and we intend to build on this success going forward.”
The contracts are the latest in a series of Scotland-based wins for the company, whose client base in the country now includes Norwegian ASA, Flybe, Stobart Air, EasyJet, Monarch Airlines and Loganair.
Gulf Aviation’s wider fuel supply portfolio currently includes London City Airport, Blackpool International Airport and City of Derry Airport.www.gulfaviation.co.uk
Millbrook will exhibit its extensive range of facilities and capabilities at this year’s Low Carbon Vehicle event on 10-11 September 2014.
The annual event, which attracts visitors from across the globe and combines a technology exhibition, Ride & Drive, networking activities and an extensive seminar programme, is the ideal forum for the business to reinforce its message that there is more to Millbrook and to demonstrate to current and potential new customers its full service offering.
Millbrook’s engineers perform repeatable tests on all types of vehicles in a secure and safe environment. With a range of facilities for components and full vehicles, the company can perform tests using engine dynamometers, environmental chambers, crash laboratories and advanced emissions testing systems.
CEO, Alex Burns, says: “Our extensive laboratory facilities, 70km of varied test tracks, including hill routes, high speed areas and challenging off road courses and 45 years’ of engineering, test and validation experience, makes Millbrook an ideal partner at any stage in the development and launch of the vehicles of tomorrow.
“We have some exciting plans for the future of Millbrook, including a new technology park and upgraded engine test facilities and I look forward to sharing these forthcoming investments with visitors at LCV.”
www.millbrook.co.uk
www.cenex-lcv.co.uk
OFTEC has teamed up with the Environment Agency and the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) to launch a new ‘Tank Safe’ campaign, urging the one million oil using homes in England, Wales and Scotland to carry out crucial safety checks on their storage tanks during the summer months.
It is estimated that at least one in three oil tanks currently in use are past their life expectancy of 20 years and should be replaced. Failing to do so could result in leaks which can be costly to both the owner and the environment.
Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC says: “It’s easy to forget about oil tanks during the summer months when central heating systems are not in use. That’s why we’ve launched the ‘Tank Safe’ campaign, offering consumers advice and guidance on how important it is to check their tanks now so they are ready for when the colder weather arrives.
“Fortunately leaks are rare, but the consequences of oil spills aren’t just inconvenient for the homeowner, they can be a serious issue for the environment, depending on how much oil has leaked.”
OFTEC recommends that tanks are inspected by a competent person, such as an OFTEC registered technician, at least once a year as part of a normal central heating system service.
Mark Askew of FPS adds: “It’s important for consumers to have their tanks checked by a qualified technician to ensure it’s in the best condition and to alert householders to potential problems before they happen. Losing a tank of oil could be expensive, but this cost is minimal compared to the potential costs of a spill.”
www.oftec.co.uk
www.oilsave.org.uk
Norbert Dentressangle has reported “steady growth and improved profitability” across all its business divisions in its half-year results released at the end of July.
First half 2014 revenues were up by 13.4% to $2,191 million, whilst the group’s earnings, before the deduction of interest, tax and expenses (EBITA), were up by 19% to $65.5 million. This produced an operating margin of 3.0% compared to 2.9% in the previous period.
Commenting on the results, Norbert Dentressangle’s CEO, Hervé Montjotin, said: “The first half of 2014 took place in a European economic environment which was boosted by growth in the UK economy and recovery in Spain. Against this backdrop, and despite flat activity in France, Norbert Dentressangle capitalised on its ever expanding global footprint and its positioning within buoyant sectors. Not only did we achieve revenue growth of 13.4% compared to the first half of 2013, but – and this is more important – we generated EBITA growth of over 19% for the same period.
“Our three business lines – logistics, transport and air & sea – are all well on course in terms of growth and profitability, in accordance with our expectations.”
The share of revenues generated outside France amounted to 61%, while the UK, the second largest contributor to group revenues, accounted for nearly 30% of total sales for the period.
The transport division posted first half 2014 revenues of €1,067 million, up 5.6% from the same period in 2013 and up 4.1% like for like. During the period, Norbert Dentressangle reinforced its position in the UK bulk tanker transport market with the acquisition of Hopkinson, a company with annual revenues of around £4 million.
With more than 14,700 employees across 195 sites, 1,700 vehicles, and around 3.5 million sq.m of warehousing, Norbert Dentressangle is one of the UK’s largest transport and logistics companies.
www.norbert-dentressangle.co.uk
Phillips 66 received the prestigious Gold Award for Occupational Health and Safety, together with two ‘Guardian Angel’ awards at the 2014 RoSPA awards ceremony recently.
RoSPA plays a unique role in UK health and safety, campaigning for safety change and providing services and support to help organisations to become safer and healthier places in which to work.
Russell Best, HSE adviser at Phillips 66, comments: “Receiving these awards is recognition of a far-reaching effort throughout the whole organisation. Safety is the number one priority in our industry, so it’s not surprising that safety is the first of our three core values: safety, honour & commitment.
“All staff are encouraged to share good practices in all areas, especially when it comes to safety. We work with JET dealers, distributors, contractors and hauliers to ensure they are aligned with us on their awareness and competency from a health and safety perspective.
“We achieved a zero recordable injury rate during 2013, which was an exceptional achievement and was the culmination of a strategy of strong leadership, contractor management, integration of HSE across all business segments and continuous behavioural focus.”
For the first time RoSPA’s presented specific ‘Guardian Angel’ awards this year to celebrate the work of individuals who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to improve the safety and wellbeing of others. Phillips 66 was delighted to have two winners of this new accolade – HSE adviser Russell Best, and Dr Nick Tait, who provides occupational health support to Phillips 66 in its Warwick office.
David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “Organisations that gain recognition for their health and safety management systems, such as Phillips 66, contribute to a collective raising of the bar for other organisations to aspire to. We offer them our congratulations.”
Adding another dimension to Jet’s 60th anniversary celebrations is the “JET SET GO” summer promotion, launched across Jet’s dealer network to engage with customers and increase forecourt footfall.
Until 7th September, customers visiting Jet petrol stations will receive a unique code voucher to enter online where they will instantly find out if they have won one of more than 1,500 summer-themed prizes – including BBQ sets, travel gadgets, beach mats and picnic sets.
To encourage return forecourt visits, customers collecting three vouchers will automatically be entered into Jet’s prize draw to win one of four holidays worth £5,000 to a destination of their choice. Jet has partnered with its fuel customer, Jet2holidays.com, for the promotion.
Anne Day, brand communications manager of Phillips 66 UK & Ireland Marketing, comments: “Promotions have been a key element of Jet’s marketing strategy for many years and we are continually looking at new ways of engaging with our customer base.
“By making it very easy to enter, providing great instant prizes, a range of in-store POS and an integrated on and offline marketing campaign to support the promotion, we’re confident that we can drive customers on to our forecourts, increase brand loyalty and generate a real ‘feel good factor’ among UK consumers this summer.”
Ineos is giving the strongest signal yet of its intention to move into the controversial area of fracking.
The privately controlled chemicals group said it was now “more or less likely” that it would apply for a licence to extract shale under the 14th round of onshore applications launched by the government recently.
Ineos has already hired a small team of shale experts, and the company is also busy investing at Grangemouth to handle large quantities of ethane gas derived from shale in North America.
“Britain needs gas as part of its new energy strategy, both as a bridge to renewables and as a backup to intermittent [wind] power generation. If you have gas, why not use your own? Doing something [in the field of the extraction of UK shale gas] would be more or less likely for us, but as to exactly what we do not know yet,” said Ineos director, Tom Crotty.
“Clearly we need a degree of confidence that there is the gas that everyone says there is. The British Geological Survey [BGS] has given its view, but we need to make our own assessments,” he said.
Ineos needs gas as fuel for its chemical production plants at Grangemouth and Runcorn in Cheshire, and Tom Crotty expressed frustration at the slow place of UK shale development. He feels the industry is held back by a lack of clear communication and leadership.
There has been speculation in the past that Ineos might throw its weight behind one of the existing explorers, such as Cuadrilla Resources, but the chemicals group is now thinking it might “test the water” and apply for one of its own licences.
Over the past 12 months several larger companies, including Centrica, Total and GDF Suez, have joined smaller independents, such as Cuadrilla, Celtique Energie and IGas Energy, in taking a stake in various existing licences with shale potential.
The sale of Murco’s Milford Haven refinery has been confirmed, saving the facility from closure and safeguarding 400 jobs.
Murphy Oil Corporation has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Murco Petroleum, has signed an agreement to sell its Milford Haven refinery and terminal assets to Klesch Refinery. The price of the deal was not disclosed. It added that a separate transaction for the sale of Murco’s UK petrol station retail business is at an advanced stage, and the company will provide a further update on this in due course.
Klesch said in a statement: “We look forward to using our considerable industry expertise to return the site to profitable growth. By taking a long-term investment view we aim to secure the future of this refinery, for its employees and the broader community.”
The Klesch Group is a global industrial commodities business, with three divisions specialising in the production and trading of chemicals, metals and oil. Founded in 1990 with headquarters in Geneva, it has revenues in excess of €5 billion, and employs more than 2,000 people across 30 locations in over 17 countries around the world.
Murphy Oil announced more than three years ago that it intended to sell its UK business, comprising the Murco filling stations and the oil refinery. The company halted production at Milford Haven in May after a potential deal with London-based private equity fund, Grey Bull, broke down. The refinery has been a major employer at the port since it opened in 1973.
Although it has not been confirmed, the owner of Motor Fuels Group (MFG) is believed to be in talks to buy the 228 filling stations owned by Murco. Private equity group Patron Capital, which bought MFG in 2012 and a further portfolio of 54 Murco filling stations last year, is believed to be in negotiations over a deal worth around £200m.
In January 2012 Patron Capital Partners teamed up with Aberdeen oil tycoon, Alasdair Locke, and paid £40m for MFG, then one of the largest independent petrol station groups in the UK, and currently ranked fourth in the Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies. In August last year the two parties teamed up again to buy a portfolio of 54 Murco petrol stations in a deal worth more than £50m.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is urging businesses to educate their fleet managers and drivers about the risks of failing to check blind spots before carrying out a manoeuvre.
Figures published by the Department for Transport show that during 2012, a total of 866 vulnerable road users were killed on the UK’s roads, while a further 13,781 were seriously injured.
IOSH senior policy and technical adviser, Phil Bates said: “It’s vital that companies ensure their workers are fully aware of their responsibilities to act in a safe and shrewd manner every time they get behind the wheel.
“This means grasping the importance of blind spots, as 75 per cent of collisions reported in Britain each year take place at or near junctions, where motorists may have had their vision obscured.”
In order for fleets to lower such risks for their drivers, various technologies are now available. They include CCTVs to give drivers a 360-degree view around their vehicle; wide angle and blind spot mirrors; automatic side mirrors that move to cover blind spots when turning; and rear, front and side sensors to detect obstacles.