IN CONVERSATION
Rawlings Fuels putting the customer first
HAMPSHIRE-BASED RAWLINGS FUELS IS AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLIER OF FUEL OILS DELIVERING TO DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS , INCLUDING FARMS AND AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES . ITS BEGINNINGS WERE IN A TRANSPORT COMPANY , FROM WHICH THE FUEL COMPANY EMERGED , GREW AND EVENTUALLY MOVED TO ITS NEW DEDICATED DEPOT JUST OVER A YEAR AGO IN MARCH 2020 .
A YEAR ON FROM THE MOVE , MANAGING EDITOR , MARGARET MAJOR , VISITED TOM DAVIES , DIRECTOR OF RAWLINGS FUEL , AND THE TEAM AT THE HOOK DEPOT TO HEAR HOW THINGS ARE GOING NOW .
Talk us through the evolution of Rawlings from its beginnings to the present-day business . “ The company had its origins in Rawlings Transport , a long-established independent road haulage company based in Hook , Hampshire . Since it began , in 1972 , it has built an enviable reputation as one of the UK ’ s most trusted road haulage companies with a large number of long-term customers .”
This focus on customer retention through exceptional service is a theme that continues through the Rawlings Fuels business which began as an offshoot of the transport business with the acquisition of Phoenix Fuels in 1993 with Rawlings Fuels formed to supply domestic heating oil throughout the area . The fuels business grew rapidly , as the customer base and delivery fleet expanded and , in 2019 , Rawlings Fuels began the creation of a purpose-built fuel distribution depot to solve the problem of the two sides of the business competing for the space available in Hook .
How did you originally come into the industry ? Terry Rawlings was the owner of Rawlings Fuels when Tom got involved as he explains : “ I was originally a planner at Cemex in the construction industry and then came into oil distribution to work for Terry .” Terry is still involved with the business but has passed it down to his son , Paul Rawlings and it is still very much a family business with Terry ’ s daughter
16 Fuel Oil News | August 2021 and grandson also working for the company . Paul Rawlings recently oversaw the redevelopment of the fuel side and , after 40 years at the Hook site , he had developed a clear idea of what was going to be needed in a new depot .
What have been the main company milestones of growth and change ? “ The biggest change has been the relocation of the fuel distribution business . We found the ideal location in South Warnborough ,
Hampshire , not far from our original location , and set about building the depot we wanted .”
Using the insight Paul and Tom had acquired over the previous 12 years , the depot was created through extensive building work by a local building company to create ‘ North Barn ’, where the offices are located , with industry specialist Adler & Allan building the storage tanks . Rawlings Fuels moved in March 2020 and the new depot has met and surpassed all their expectations proving to be an excellent base .