News 92
The new site in Corby’s Southern Gateway is the company’s largest ever development
The retail arm of Brobot Petroleum has built a striking new development on a greenfield site in Corby’s Southern Gateway.
The site, which opened in May, represents the company’s move from a forecourt business to convenience retailing. It is two decades since Brobot built a site from scratch.
Brobot’s biggest development to date includes a large Londis convenience store with a Costa express machine, a Bake & Bite food-to-go, and seating. The company is also in talks to fill the currently empty unit next door with a branded food retailer.
Director Eddie Bright said: “Corby Southern Gateway is a big step forward in terms of concept. It’s a leap of faith into a different trading format – from a more traditional forecourt business to a full-on convenience business.”
Brobot has enjoyed a successful partnership with Londis since June 2009. Eddie added: “The industry was changing so much and we needed more expertise in shops because the shop is now the driving force behind the business.”http://www.brobot.co.uk/
Keyfuels is working in partnership with the RAC to help manage its fleet more efficiently.
The RAC serves more than seven million customers nationwide. With a large mixed fleet of more than 1600 vans and 45 10-tonne recovery trucks, it’s imperative to the profitability of the RAC that the fleet operates at maximum efficiency.
Dave Matthews, Keyfuels account manager said: ”Thanks to the flexibility of Keyfuels’ solutions, we were able to provide additional services to meet with the requirements of the RAC delivering a comprehensive and robust fuel management package for all its vehicles.”
Gary Wrightson-Heyworth, operation service manager at RAC said: “Fuel represents one of our biggest expenditures. Keyfuels’ cards and services give us the ability to accurately control and monitor the cost of fuel and our fleet’s expenditure, helping us to plan our fuel needs and purchase at the right time to save money.
“By utilising the Keyfuels network we are able to accurately distribute bunkered fuel nationwide and the extensive coverage provided by Keyfuels ensures that our drivers are never far from a participating site.”
www.keyfuels.co.uk
Tanker drivers have called for a new union – the National Tanker Drivers’ Union – to be set up.
“We could call it NTU, the National Tanker Driver’s Union,” wrote an anonymous driver on the DCC-GB Oils drivers’ info blog. “We could recruit every driver in every sector of the industry.”
Arguing that Unite, the drivers current union would not provide enough leadership going into the winter, the poster added: “I’ve spoken to a lot of main fleet drivers who feel the same way, and they would be interested in a union that deals with our problems and not everybody else’s.”
Others commenting on the post were quick to agree, one pointing out that he had received a letter saying his current union fees were set to be increased.
Another argued: “We should be fighting for equal pay and terms and conditions for all drivers of all brands. We all do the same job, some are paid a lot more than others, some are on time and a half everyday, some get sick pay, some get laundry allowance and some are paying for the driver CPC.”
http://dcc-gboil.blogspot.co.uk/
Comedian and compere Sean Lock and DAF’s Ray Ashworth are joined on stage by John Jackson, sales manager, Chevron Lubricants – sponsor of the award
As DAF’s CF85 vehicle wins Fleet Truck of the Year for a record-breaking 11th time, Volvo continues to strive to cut the number of rear-end impacts.
Ray Ashworth, managing director of DAF Trucks UK said: “To go on winning the Motor Transport award during some of the most challenging years the UK transport industry has ever experienced, underlines the key principles of our truck range – maximum reliability, highest driver comfort, together with the outstanding in-service support provided by our nationwide network of dedicated dealers.”Volvo helps drivers avoid accidents
Meanwhile the first results of the European Field Operation Test (euroFOT) field study presented in Brussels earlier this year, showed that Volvo Trucks’ active safety systems can help drivers avoid accidents.
“We studied 30 trucks, operating with two haulage firms, and examined the effectiveness of three systems: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Keeping Support,” says Karsten Heinig, manager of the project at Volvo.
The study revealed that ACC and CW, which are used together to maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, could cut the number of rear-end impacts on motorways by 15%.
“On average, the system is used less than half of the driving time. If usage increases, this will bring about a further reduction in accidents,” adds Karsten.
Figures supplied by OFTEC members to HHIC
Boiler sales for the first six months of 2012 are at the lowest for 10 years, figures have revealed.
Sales of all oil boilers during this period were at 23,254 compared to 26,590 during the first six months of 2011.
The figures cover all the SEDBUK bands and are based on figures supplied by OFTEC members to the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).
Numbers also showed that sales of all gas and LPG boilers were recorded at 671,435 from January to June this year, which was a 5.9% fall on the sales during the same period of 2011.
The HHIC has called for urgent support for the construction industry which is in a “perilous state”, before boiler manufacturers and other related businesses fall victim to the depressed state of the housing market.
Manufacturers have invested heavily in new product development, but remain dependent on a large number of property transactions.
Following its recent expansion, IFC has announced two new appointments.
Moody’s Investors Service has changed the rating for Total SA from stable to negative.
The move reflects Moody’s concerns that significant investment in Total’s upstream business since 2010 has constrained the recovery in its credit metrics, despite buoyant oil prices.
Figures from June 2012 showed that upstream investments from the previous 12 months amounted to $26billion, compared to $15billion in the 12 months prior to June 2010.
This increased capital spending includes Total’s growing involvement in major long cycle projects, such as shale gas, and the formation of new partnerships with independent exploration and production companies. This has resulted in a higher allocation of capital towards unproved, not yet producing assets.
However, on a more positive note, ‘Moody’s expects Total’s operating cash flow to benefit from the start-up of several upstream projects, which should help raise production to around 2.7million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2015, and yield barrels of a higher margin.
Community Buying unLimited has teamed up with Cornwall Together, which unites the power of the county’s major employers to negotiate with energy companies to achieve the best deals on oil, gas and electricity.
The model, conceived by the Eden Project and launched in late July, includes Cornwall Council, Cornwall NHS, St Austell Brewery, CEP and Unison.
Community Buying unLimited, which is set to manage the oil side of the negotiations, is hopeful of rolling the system out across the rest of the UK very quickly. Founder, Chris Pomfret, hopes that this will help the oil supply industry to keep track of when customers are likely to order more oil, preventing shortages for buyer and supplier.
The model is based on businesses being connected together by Smart Meters, which allows users to keep track, via the internet, of their own energy levels and current information about prices and supplier levels.
However, Kevin Bennetts, owner of Consols Oils, said: “Community Buying unLimited claims to be about to revolutionise oil sales and sort out dishonest inefficient oil suppliers. But to deliver oil you need tankers, and the company doesn’t have any. While he sits and thinks, we are investing heavily in order to serve our customers better.
“Smart meters will see future orders go to the most suicidal quote from a firm that is desperate for work.
“Family firms like Consols Oils work in clearly defined areas where they are part of the community they serve, and have been built up through hard work and dedication. Our biggest asset is our loyal customer base.”
Fuel Oil News will be looking at the scheme in more depth in the magazine, and will be looking for comment from distributors. To comment, please email alex@fueloilnews.co.uk
Craggs Energy managing director, Chris Bingham, and new depot manager Jeremy Cosway
Craggs Energy has become the new owners of the Samuel Cooke and Co depot, based in Padiham.
Last month came the sad news that the Burnley based fuel distributor Samuel Cooke & Co, had gone into administration resulting in the loss of over 80 jobs.
Craggs Energy, an independent fuel company based in Hebden Bridge, has taken over the depot and launched the business in the Lancashire area using the local knowledge of two former Samuel Cooke and Co employees.
Craggs Energy managing director, Chris Bingham, explained: “We have built our business by using experienced staff and delivering high levels of customer service at a fair price. Opening a depot in the Burnley and Pendle area means we can extend this promise and provide the local area with a family run local company they can trust to take care of their fuel requirements”
Jeremy Cosway, ex depot manager, and Ben Duckworth, ex marketing manager, of Samuel Cooke and Co have both joined the team to launch the new Padiham site.
Jeremy Cosway said: “I worked at Samuel Cooke and Co for six years and I was the depot manager for two of those. It was sad to say goodbye but I’m really happy that I can continue my career in Padiham and continue to focus on the local area”.
Ben added: “I was really disappointed when Samuel Cooke and Co Ltd was forced to close, but thanks to Craggs Energy, we can continue our efforts of serving the Burnley and Pendle area out of the well-known Padiham depot.”www.craggsenergy.co.uk
New regional manager for south east Anglia, Keith Durrant
GB Oils has appointed Keith Durrant as regional manager in south east Anglia, to manage the new Pace Fuelcare depot in Ipswich.
Keith, who has lived much of his life in the local area, brings a wealth of business experience to the role, having held several senior managerial positions with companies such as ICI, Burmah – Castol and Total. Keith joined GB Oils two years ago.
His primary objective in his new role will be to stimulate organic growth and elevate the Pace brand to become the first choice for customers across the region. The area includes oil distribution depots in Shefford, Letchworth, Cambridge, Braintree, and Hadleigh, plus the newly constructed multi million pound terminal in Ipswich.
Simon Willis, general manager at GB Oils, commented: “Keith’s appointment to manage the business in south east Anglia comes following his successful work for the company during the past two years. We have no doubt that he will be fantastic in this new role and will help deliver our ambitious plans for the new depot and wider area.”
Keith added: “As well as providing competitive pricing and continuous improvements to services, my aim is to ensure we continue to deliver exceptional standards of customer satisfaction, whilst remaining at the forefront of fuel distribution, both within east Anglia, and throughout the UK”.
Following OFT action, GB Oils, the largest supplier of heating oil in the country, has changed its domestic heating oil contracts ensuring quoted prices do not increase from the time an order is made until the customer is billed on delivery.
When a consumer orders from a supplier, ‘spot’ prices are quoted that reflect the current market price of oil. The OFT has today secured legally binding undertakings from GB Oils to change its terms and conditions ensuring prices quoted at order remain fixed until delivery.
The action follows on from its 2011 Off-Grid Energy Market Study, which identified concerns that some suppliers may not be treating their customers fairly.
Mary Starks, senior director in the OFT’s services, infrastructure and public markets group, said: “Customers need to know where they stand when they are dealing with suppliers. The action we have taken will allow consumers to buy with confidence, even during periods when the weather is snowy, and prices are changing rapidly.
‘This adds to a body of enforcement work the OFT has undertaken to ensure that users of off-grid energy are treated fairly by suppliers.”
Other action taken in this sector includes securing voluntary changes to the content of misleading websites, and voluntary agreements from the major liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) suppliers, to improve transparency around switching and cancellation rights.
With the RHI and Green Deal set to encourage a push towards alternative technologies, OFTEC has taken a look at the true costs of going green for rural homeowners.
Using the Energy Saving Trust’s online ‘home energy generation selector’, costs and energy savings were calculated across a range of renewable technologies for a typical three-bedroom cottage in east Anglia, currently using oil for heating and hot water.
If an existing oil-fired boiler was replaced with a biomass model then fuel bills would actually rise by £430 per year. Ground source and air source heat pumps did not fare much better – it would take between 31 and 200 years for any energy savings to make the installation costs worthwhile at today’s prices.
In terms of carbon savings, the biomass boiler came out best, but at an increased running cost to the consumer. Users who switched from oil to an air source heat pump would actually be increasing their carbon emissions. The ground source heat pump represented the best option, with potential CO2 savings of 1150kg per annum.
The joint administrators of Petroplus Refining & Marketing have published their first progress report on the administration, which illustrates the depth of the financial challenges faced in continuing to operate the Coryton refinery.
The report provides creditors with a detailed description of progress that has been made in the six months since the appointment of the administrators.
Trading losses from refining during the six-month period of administration are currently estimated at $22m-$31m, on sales of some $347m. Of this loss, some $20m relates to capital expenditure incurred and written off in the period.
The report also states that an extensive exercise to obtain the best value for creditors from the sale of Coryton found that offers to run the site as a refinery were materially lower than for an alternative use.
It is currently estimated that the net funds available for distribution to unsecured creditors may be in the order of $102m-$135m. Gross realisations from the assets of the company are projected to be $199m-$209m.
Steven Pearson, joint administrator and PwC partner, said: “This has been an exceptionally difficult administration. The information we have published today illustrates the scale of financial and operational challenges we faced in operating the refinery for nearly six months.
“The unfortunate reality is that, despite rigorous cost control, the refinery incurred significant losses from operations between January and June. This high risk, low reward environment was the main driver in having to cease operations – put simply, we could not afford to incur the ongoing losses associated with continuing refining.”
DCC has reached agreement to acquire BP’s LPG distribution business in Britain. Completion of the acquisition is expected to take place at the end of September 2012.
The deal is worth approximately £40.5m, to be satisfied at completion, after the net tangible operating assets of the LPG business were valued at approximately £30m (€38m) on 31 December 2011.
The Bristol-based business currently supplies a wide range of industrial, commercial and domestic customers with an annual volume of approximately 87,000 tonnes of bulk and cylinder LPG. It has 116 staff and operates from a network of 13 locations throughout Britain with a fleet of 62 delivery vehicles. Haulage services are principally outsourced.
Flogas, DCC’s existing LPG arm in Britain, has annual sales volumes of approximately 190,000 tonnes.
Tommy Breen, DCC chief executive, said: “We have a successful track record in acquiring energy distribution businesses from the oil majors as they exit downstream activities. This transaction will enhance DCC’s position as the leading oil and LPG sales, marketing and distribution business in Britain.”
www.dcc.ie
Mabanaft has sought feedback from customers to gain a deeper appreciation of their wants, and to focus on developing services for further improvement.
The company recently conducted an online survey, and results found that, in addition to price, customer service, continuity of supply, accuracy of invoicing and efficiency of loading times were rated as being of key importance.
Mabanaft was delighted that almost all participants rated them as above average across all of these areas, with 95% rating their customer service as very good or excellent and more than eight out of ten marking continuity of supply, efficiency of loading times and accuracy of invoicing as very good or excellent. The company also achieved a resounding vote of confidence in the quality of advice and expertise that they provide to customers, with 86% saying they found it to be very good or excellent.
Stephen Rhodes, marketing manager, said: “I am extremely pleased with these results as they confirm that we are delivering on the things that matter most to our customers. I am also thrilled with some of the comments we received and proud of my team for delivering such high levels of service. We will now be looking to address any areas where customers feel there is room for improvement.”
www.mabanaft.co.uk
Jet is running a special sports and fitness promotion this summer, encouraging customers to enjoy a broad range of exciting activities. The campaign is set to run until October 31.
Vouchers will be handed out to customers through the Jet Distributor network, and redeemable on the Jet-Local.co.uk website. One voucher will be distributed per transaction until October 31, set to be redeemable up to September 2013.
During an Olympic summer when the country has embraced a wide variety of sports, the Jet Active promotion includes deals on swimming, golf, and martial arts. Free lessons and discounts are also available on experiences such as paintballing and holiday club visits.
Additionally, in partnership with Blockbuster, customers will be offered a five week trial of the two DVD Unlimited plan, so they can look forward to a film on the sofa after a busy day of sports.
People taking advantage of the deal will be encouraged to try a variety of experiences, with customers only allowed to redeem their voucher once at a specific venue.
www.jetactive.co.uk
A captain’s eye view of the M. T. Lerrix
It was a day of celebration on the waterfront of Hull at the end of May when members of the Rix family, and their colleagues from heating oil and commercial fuels specialists, J.R. Rix & Sons, and sister company, Maritime Bunkering, witnessed the launch of the latest vessel to join the Rix Shipping tanker fleet.
As maritime tradition dictates, a bottle of champagne was smashed against the distinctive green hull of the 1254 ton ship as she was named the M.T. Lerrix by Lucinda Rix, daughter of company chairman, John Rix. The name “Lerrix”, explained John, comes from Lucinda’s initials (Lucinda Emily Rix), coupled with the company convention of having the letters R,I,X, ending the six-letter name of all its ships.
Watching on, as special guests at the ceremony – held at the Dunston Shipyard at Hull’s William Wright Dock – were more than 70 customers, suppliers and employees of the company. Lord Haskins, chairman of the Humber Local Economic Partnership, responded to John Rix’s speech on behalf of the guests, congratulating his company on its continued success in a difficult economic climate.
The new ship – which will be used for bunkering along the east coast of the UK, from Leithto Harwich – has an overall capacity for 1100 tons of oil in four tanks. The 53-metre-long vessel is equipped with two Blackmer rotary vein pumps, each capable of delivering 238 cubic metres of fuel per hour, and one Blackmer rotary vein pump with a capacity of 63m3 per hour.Maritime tradition
New sales coordinator, Pio Ronan
Carbery Plastics has confirmed the appointment of Pio Ronan as sales coordinator. Pio has a strong background in sales and customer service and will be responsible for assisting in the development of Carbery sales in Munster and Connacht.
Pio said: “I look forward to working closely with customers across Munster and Connacht to grow sales of Carbery products in these areas. Carbery is a well regarded brand across Ireland, with a deserved reputation for the development, manufacture and supply of quality products.”
Sales manager Pat Daly said: “Pio will play an important role in the development of our business, as we launch significant new additions in the Carbery range, including our all-new 1000 litres capacity Superslim Bunded Heating Oil Tank.”
Carbery has also confirmed the appointment of Jill Turner to the position of sales office manager. A long-serving employee of Carbery, Jill is already known to customers across Ireland and the UK. In her new role, Jill will be responsible for coordinating the provision of Head Office support to customers in all product sectors and geographic markets.”
nextgen takes place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire from 10-11 October, and together with ebec, the UK’s largest bioenergy show, and microgen, a show serving small-scale (sub-50kW) power producers, has become the UK’s fastest growing event showcasing a full range of emerging renewable energy technologies.
With the trio of events combined at one location, nextgen makes it easier for visitors to retrieve relevant information and to establish business connections. Installers, engineers and renewable energy producers, will mingle alongside managers in the public sector dealing with energy efficiency, farmers and land owners or supervisors managing food processing and waste.
Besides hosting a major international exhibition, nextgen features a multi-stream conference which will take place in six CPD accredited seminar theatres.
For more information and to register for your free place visit www.ebec.co.uk
Former conquerors of Kilimanjaro, the Crown Oil team are now tackling their latest challenge
Burnley based fuel and lubricants distributor Samuel Cooke has been ‘rescued from the administrator’, after the acquisition of key assets by Crown Oil.
Crown Group managing director, Matt Greensmith, explained, “We will continue to trade under the Samuel Cooke name and we can assure existing customers a flawless continuity of service. The Crown and Cooke businesses have many similarities, both being long established, independent and family owned firms that have built sound reputations based on high and consistent levels of service.”
A handful of Cooke’s former employees have already found employment with Crown Oil who are hopeful that there will be more opportunities as the business is consolidated. Staff at Cooke’s had previously been informed that all jobs would be lost as the company went into administration.
Crown Oil general manager, Mark Andrews, said: “We will offer same day or next day emergency deliveries where required with programmed fuel delivery for larger customers.”
Cooke customers will have access to a wider range of advanced low carbon fuels and speciality lubricants. In line with Crown’s environmental commitment all Samuel Cooke’s delivery mileage by road tankers will now be fully carbon offset.http://www.crownoiluk.com/
Frank Carroll, chairman and owner of Samuel Cooke & Co
Burnley based fuel distributor Samuel Cooke & Co went into administration in late July.
The company’s staff were informed on 23 July that the majority of the 86 jobs had been lost as a result, although 12 were retained to assist the administrators.
Some customer dealings are now being investigated by the police, although no further details are currently available.
Administrator Paul Flint said: “The business suffered an unexpected loss in relation to a specific group of customers that impaired asset value and, as a result, placed the business under a significant cash strain.
“The directors reported this position to the police, and it remains under investigation.”
“Regrettably, despite the best attempts of the directors to recover from the situation, they have been unable to find a solvent solution to allow the businesses to continue to trade.”
A statement on the company’s website read: “Paul Flint and Brian Green were appointed joint administrators of Samuel Cooke & Co Limited on July 23 2012. The company has ceased to trade with immediate effect and the assets of the company are being earmarked for sale.”
Essar Oil UK has entered into new arrangements with Barclays Bank plc to cover the supply of crude oil to its Stanlow refinery.
Under the new arrangements, Barclays will hold the inventories of crude oil and petroleum products at Stanlow and will supply crude to the refinery in line with its requirements.
The new arrangements allow Essar Oil UK to repay its existing working capital revolving credit facility, provided by 13 banks. In addition, they allow Essar Oil UK to cut its costs by reducing its crude oil inventory holdings and also permit greater operational flexibility. The customer relationships and product sale processes will remain with Essar Oil UK. These arrangements with Barclays are for three years and take effect immediately.
Volker Schultz, chief executive officer of Essar Oil UK, said: “This transaction with Barclays is an important landmark step for Stanlow. We have built a strong working relationship with Barclays, allowing us to continue delivering a high level of service to our customers, but in a much more efficient manner. The change is fully in line with our strategy to maximise efficiency, to substantially improve margins and to ensure that the refinery can thrive in all market conditions.”
Essar Energy completed the purchase of Stanlow, the UK’s second largest refinery with a capacity of 296,000 barrels per day, from Shell on July 31, 2011.
Workers at the Coryton oil refinery in Essex gathered with their families at Purfleet on 21 and 22 July, to protest against the closure of the refinery and the subsequent loss of more than 800 jobs.
The site is set to be operated as a storage terminal by Greenergy, Shell UK and Vopak, but angry workers believe the government ignored other potential buyers who would have kept the refinery open.
Unite Union national officer, Linda McCulloch, said: “There are some major questions to answer over the sale of Coryton. We know there were serious bidders to keep the refinery going, but have yet to get satisfactory answers as to why they failed. Our fear is that Vopak, Shell and Greenergy were waiting in the wings and that it was a done deal for some time.”
But the three companies are set to invest “a substantial amount in the site to develop it as a state-of-the-art import terminal”, said energy minister Charles Hendry.
He added: “The construction and operation of the terminal should also create significant economic activity in the region over the next two to three years.”
But workers claim that the sale will cost the local economy around £250m.
Cutting the ribbon to declare the new depot open for business
Pace Fuelcare opened a new depot in Ransomes Business Park, Ipswich, on July 24 to ensure a reliable supply of quality fuel for commercial, agricultural and domestic customers across south east Anglia.
Key figures at Pace Fuelcare’s parent company, GB Oils, including Sam Chambers, chairman, Paul Williams, director, Simon Willis, general manager, and Keith Durrant, regional manager, teamed up with Ipswich MP, Ben Gunner, and Mayor of Ipswich, councillor Mary Blake, to cut the ribbon and officially declare the depot open for business.
Over £2 million has been invested in the state-of-the-art depot, which offers a range of modern facilities to its customers, including the latest tank gauging systems and safety features, as well as a comprehensive choice of quality fuel and lubricants.
It will also support the creation of up to 25 jobs in the area, and a further 30 jobs within the finance, marketing, health and safety, supplies and transport divisions of GB Oils, together with a number of sales vacancies.
Simon Willis said: “The opening of the new depot highlights our commitment to support customers and businesses across the region, both in terms of fuel delivery and through business contracts with local suppliers in the immediate area. Following the closure of the Vopak Terminal two years ago, the new depot will be the only fuel terminal servicing south east Anglia, providing customers with a secure supply and dependable delivery of fuel.”
www.pacefuelcare.co.uk