News 79
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.
Like driving on the left, the UK is pretty much on its own when it comes to using kerosene as a heating oil
Picking kerosene in the UK because of its suitability for vaporising burners, most of Europe opted for gas oil because it was cheaper than kerosene and meant there was no need to steal fuel from the more valuable aviation market.
With 44% of our kerosene now imported from the Middle East, Asia, Russia and South America, quality is variable reported Julia Mansfield at the Fuel Oil News Distributor Debate earlier this year.
Julia, a chemist with 19 years experience in fuel and fuel additives, understands fuel. In her capacity as technical business development manager at Fuel Additive Science Technologies (FAST), last year she tested over 200 fuel samples sent in by customers.
Thirty-one percent of the samples tested were kerosene; 41% of which were found to have no problem with the fuel. Of the remaining figure, two thirds had produced coking problems in AGAs or similar cookers, 25% had housekeeping issues whilst 18% had intrinsic problems within the fuel.
New head of national accounts, Franco Moller
Certas Energy has appointed Franco Moller as its new head of national accounts.
Franco brings a wealth of experience in the transport and logistics industry, having previously worked for rail services provider, DB Schenke.
Based at Certas Energy’s Birchwood office, Franco will spearhead the national accounts plan focusing on securing new contracts, developing the customer base and further establishing the company as a key player in the industry.
Managing director, Paul Vian commented: “Franco’s strong professional background and relevant experience of both the transport and logistics sectors makes him a valuable addition to our team.
“He joins us at the start of an exciting period of business growth, as our National Accounts team and the wider business go from strength to strength. As a senior business manager, Franco will be integral to promoting our company values and safety first culture.”
Franco added: “Customer service excellence is central to Certas Energy’s approach and I look forward to bringing this to life by working closely with the national accounts team to execute the businesses’ growth plans successfully.”www.certasenergy.co.uk
Dunraven’s product development manager, Michael McCaughley celebrates success at OFTEC’s Awards for Excellence
Dunraven Systems OilPal integrated heating oil management system has won the Innovative Product of the Year accolade at OFTEC’s Awards for Excellence.
Speaking after the presentation, Dunraven’s Michael McCaughley said: “We’re delighted to have won this much sought-after award. OilPal is a truly revolutionary product and the world’s first integrated heating oil management system. Not only does OilPal allow customers to monitor the level and volume of heating oil inside their tank, it allows them to check supplier prices and order fuel from any web connected device, including smartphones and tablets.
“As a business-to-consumer (B2C) product, OilPal perfectly complements our existing depot based Apollo RMS remote tank monitoring system. Indeed, for heating oil distributors who want the best of both worlds, we can even now offer an own-brand, white label version. This provides consumers with similar functionality to the proprietary OilPal product, whilst limiting online engagement options to a single distributor and putting that distributor’s brand at the heart of the customer experience.”
Having celebrated 10 years in business in 2013, Dunraven is currently benefiting from buoyant demand for its Apollo brand range of storage tank monitoring and energy management products – especially in international markets, which now represent the majority of the company’s sales. In response, Dunraven has recently completed a significant expansion of the company’s R&D, product assembly and customer support facilities at its Co. Louth headquarters.
Michael says, “Last year, we celebrated ten years of success. However, rather than resting on our laurels, we recognise you don’t stay ahead by standing still – especially with modern monitoring and communications technology developing at an ever faster pace. As we look ahead to Dunraven’s next decade, we will continue to develop our range of market led monitoring technologies.
“The success of our company to date has been built upon a flexible approach to customer requirements, coupled with unrivalled reliability and world class customer service. We are determined these values will remain at the heart of our business.”www.dunravensystems.com
The Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Transport Manager series of conferences has become a must attend event for all transport managers across the country, providing the latest information, guidance and best practice advice on forthcoming legislation and enforcement changes.
At the 2014 series of events, sponsored by Goodyear and Volvo, delegates will hear from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Traffic Commissioner.
The DVSA will be unveiling its systems approach to recognising individual operator culture and its attitude to compliance, outlining enforcement priorities for the coming year, discussing how the Agency is working in partnership with industry and providing an insight into the future enforcement of the seriously non-compliant.
The Highways Agency will be on hand to discuss pressures on the strategic road network and how it deals with challenges such as minimising the impact of road closures.
Other key sessions will include presentations on Trucks of the Future and understanding the new Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness
The Transport Manager series will be on the road throughout the UK from September to December 2014:
Wednesday 10 September – Brands Hatch
Wednesday 17 September – Durham
Wednesday 24 September – Warrington
Wednesday 1 October – Leeds
Wednesday 8 October – Taunton
Wednesday 15 October – Huntingdon
Wednesday 22 October – Chepstow
Wednesday 29 October – Dunblane
Wednesday 5 November – Sheffield
Wednesday 12 November – Southampton
Wednesday 19 November – Slough
Wednesday 3 December – Birmingham
The cost for FTA members is £295 plus VAT for the first delegate and £265 plus VAT for subsequent delegates; for non-members £395 plus VAT for the first delegate and £365 plus VAT for subsequent delegates.
www.fta.co.uk/events/Transport_Manager_Conferences_2014.html
Measurement of the quantity and quality of petroleum and its products is vital for accurate allocation, custody transfer and fiscal purposes, stock control and loss prevention. The Energy Institute (EI)’s Hydrocarbon Management Committee (HMC) has developed new online training and good practice guidance to support greater understanding in this field.
The new resource – Online training for hydrocarbon management – has been designed to improve knowledge of these issues across various parts of the industry.
Given the international focus of hydrocarbon management, there is a clear need to standardise and align processes, to inform industry and to promote consistent and accurate measurement of the quantity and quality of products at various points along the supply chain.
The training is broken down into a series of modules to introduce the key elements of hydrocarbon management to those who are relatively new to the topic or who simply wish to refresh their knowledge. This project has been devised by the EI’s HMC in conjunction with IDESS Interactive Technologies Inc and SGS.
The first two modules in the training resource are now available:
· Petroleum measurement (for marine cargo inspection) covers marine cargo measurements and matches the requirements of the IFIA Inspector Certification Programme. This includes the safety, sampling, testing and calculation procedures associated with hydrocarbon management.
· LNG operations (sea transport) provides a solid background to those involved in handling marine LNG cargoes, covering the product properties and measurements and also vessel operations and load and discharge procedures.
HMC guidance covers all aspects of petroleum measurement from production allocation through to transportation and refining. Other recent EI technical publications cover general terms and conditions for the sale and purchase of crude oil, cleaning of tanks in marine tank vessels carrying petroleum or refined products, and procedures for cargo inspections for crude oil, products and liquefied petroleum gas. www.energyinst.org/hydrocarbon-management
A survey of 750 oil-using homes by Watson Petroleum and OFTEC earlier this year has revealed that oil heating remains a popular choice with few owners thinking of switching.
Of those that expressed a preference, most were satisfied with their existing heating system while 73% of those considering replacing their existing boiler will install a new oil condensing boiler. By contrast only 4% were considering switching to an air source heat pump.
“Oil is becoming more affordable and competitive, and the cheapest option going forward for most off-gas homes” says Jeremy Hawksley
New research commissioned by OFTEC and the FPS predicts the price of oil will continue to fall over the next three years, spelling more good news for the industry.
The results forecast that by Q4 2014, the price of kerosene will have reached 55.52ppl in the UK and 75.81 cents per litre in Ireland. From there, prices are forecast to drop to reach 54.00 ppl in the UK and 74.10 cents per litre in Ireland by Q4 2016. The forecasts show that prices will fall further into Q2 2017 to reach 53.43 ppl and 73.39 cents per litre.
The predicted drop in oil prices comes at a time when gas and electricity prices are continuing to rise, evidenced by the latest Sutherland Tables data.
These figures show the average annual cost of heating a three bedroom home by gas and electricity has increased over the last three years by 34% and 27% respectively. This compares to the cost of using an oil condensing boiler which has fallen by 12% over the same period.
The National Audit Office also predicted that consumers face almost two decades of price rises for electricity, gas and water to fund £310 billion worth of new infrastructure.
Commenting on the research, which was carried out by UX Energy Services, OFTEC director general Jeremy Hawksley said: “It is of course impossible to predict how future world events will pan out and exactly how these will affect the price of oil.
“However, the research remains valid and shows that the general trend of falling oil prices is expected to continue. This underlines the fact that oil is becoming more affordable and competitive, and the cheapest option going forward for most off-gas homes.”
As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, JET has announced a three-year sponsorship package that will see the fuel brand appointed as the official fuel partner of the Silverstone Classic.
In the run up to the World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival, which takes place at Silverstone from 25th – 27th July 2014, the company will also be giving away an incredible money can’t buy prize.
The unique prize for two lucky individuals includes a 25 minute GT Legends high speed parade with a professional driver, a ride in the pace car, BMW luxury transfers, a helicopter ride, onsite accommodation, a guided tour of Race Control, VIP concert stage bar passes with a private backstage tour of the concert area, performance driving sessions, tickets to the BRDC Silverstone Classic Dinner and £500 spending money. Entries close on 18th July and full details of how to enter can be found at www.jetlocal.co.uk/moneycantbuyprize
Pete George, managing director, Phillips 66 UK and Ireland Marketing, comments: “2014 marks the diamond anniversary of our fuel brand JET – 60 years since JET opened its first petrol forecourt in Yorkshire. This is a real milestone for us as a company and an achievement that we are very proud of.
“As part of our anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to become Silverstone Classic’s first official fuel partner. To be part of the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival at the iconic Silverstone circuit is a great honour and seems a fitting way to mark 60 years of delivering the highest quality fuel to our network of 300+ independently operated service stations.
“Over the next three years, our sponsorship of this hugely popular event will provide us with a number of opportunities to engage with sports and motoring enthusiasts throughout the UK.”
As part of the agreement, JET will also take on the title sponsorship of the two iconic HSCC Super Touring Car Championship races.
www.jetlocal.co.uk
Caught on camera – Le Craggs team
When Le Grand Depart came to Yorkshire, Craggs Energy was in pole position.
“As a company with its origins firmly in Yorkshire, we were immensely proud that Le Grand Depart came to our county,” said marketing manager, Ben Duckworth.
“The stage two route came right past our head office in Cragg Vale and we felt very privileged to witness this once in a lifetime event. The whole team came out to enjoy race day and we were even lucky enough to get an aerial shot of our wagons on ITV!”
Certas Energy has announced a new facility supplying marine gas oil MGO <0.1% sulphur DMA grade at Port of Tyne in North Shields.
The facility, which comprises of a new pipeline as well as fuel storage facilities, opened on 10th June 2014. It also offers an ex-pipe facility, a convenient service for large ships, as well as providing MGO across the North East region by truck.
Gary Byers, head of marine, said: “Our decision to expand our services with this new facility demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering a cost effective service for our customers. We are continually developing our portfolio and this is the latest expansion in the North East.
“We have forged strong relationships with UK refineries to meet the pricing and quality demands of the shipping industry and our growing depot network will ensure customers can access our products across the UK.”
Port of Tyne is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio, which is expanding across the UK. The network features depots in many major UK ports, including the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Orkney, Southampton and Shetland Islands. It also has an ex-pipe facility at Aberdeen, barging on the Thames, the recent IFO facility in Dundee, a pipe fed marine bunker facility in Oban as well as an excellent nationwide delivery infrastructure.
The new pipeline will offer local and international customers MGO <0.1% sulphur DMA grade, which has the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) guaranteed.
Designed to offer complete flexibility for customers, there is no minimum or maximum fuel quantity and orders can be made in cubes or metric tonnes and paid for in US dollars, Pound Sterling and Euros. www.certasenergy.co.uk
The 2014 OFTEC Awards for Excellence winners
The best talent in the oil heating industry was showcased at OFTEC’s 2014 Awards for Excellence event last month. Attended by more than 170 industry guests, this year’s Awards saw David Ewins from Cornwall-based Davanna Heating beat off stiff competition to pick up the title of Boiler Installer of the Year, with Stephen Owen of SC Owen in Reading receiving the award for Servicing and Commissioning Technician of the Year.
l-r Simon Ashton, Simon Safety with Nicola Whitehead, Scott Safety and Alan Murray, BSIF
Simon Safety & Lifting Centre has been awarded the 2014 British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Service Award.
Managing director, Simon Ashton, said: “The BSIF Safety Awards recognise true excellence and innovation in the health and safety industry and what makes
this award even more important is that it is voted for by our valued customers. It is our total commitment at Simon Safety to keep workers safe and we are delighted to have been recognised for our dedication to industrial safety.”
The Milford Haven-based company specialises in supporting the UK energy sector through the manufacture and distribution of personal protective equipment, work wear and workplace safety supplies. www.simon-safety.co.uk