IN CONVERSATION
In Conversation with Kettlewell Fuels
FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF A MANAGEMENT BUYOUT ( MBO ) TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF KETTLEWELL FUELS IN APRIL AND WITH JANET KETTLEWELL BECOMING UKIFDA ’ S 33RD PRESIDENT IN JUNE , WE CATCH UP WITH JANET ON WHAT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A BUSY YEAR FOR THE KETTLEWELL FAMILY .
Going back over 30 years , tell us more about the origins of Kettlewell Fuels Based in North Yorkshire near Ripon , Kettlewell Fuels was incorporated in 1987 by my fatherin-law , Malcolm Kettlewell . I joined the business in September 1996 to oversee its operation , followed by my husband , Trevor , one month later . We focused on the company ’ s reputation in the local area , which led to growth and expansion , particularly in the domestic sector .
The business started with one tanker ; we now have a range of vehicles from six-wheeler tankers to baby four-wheelers . Today , we are proud to be family run and an independent heating and fuel oil supplier . As well as our loyal domestic customer base , Kettlewell Fuels also serves a wider audience that includes the agricultural and commercial sectors .
In April , Trevor and I completed a management buyout ( MBO ) to take ownership of the business outright from the Kettlewell family . Remaining within the Ripon area , the MBO has provided the opportunity for us to move the business to larger premises .
What was the thinking behind the recent MBO and do you have plans to change Kettlewell Fuels in any way ? Kettlewell Fuels is adapting and thriving , and this is another step forward in the company ’ s 33-year history . Taking sole control means we are in a position to focus our energies on offering our customers an even better service , and one that meets the requirements of the changing environment .
This includes building a more digitally driven business to serve the demand for online ordering and to provide a much more personalised customer relationship . As an authorised JET distributor , we continue to work closely with Phillips 66 to ensure a continuous UK-based supply of quality fuel as well as building our environmental stewardship to support improved sustainability .
What are the biggest changes you ’ ve seen in the industry in your time ? Over the years , the sector has become more challenging , and definitely more competitive , with fewer family-run independents operating due to the market ’ s changing circumstances .
More recently , the emphasis on sustainability and decarbonisation will change how the whole sector will operate in the future .
When did the supply partnership with Phillips start , and what are the main strengths of this partnership ? Our partnership with Phillips 66 started back in 2013 and it allows us to ensure we ’ re delivering the best product and service to our customers from a source that ’ s committed to safety , reliability and environmental stewardship . We took this route for a number of commercial reasons and to benefit from the quality service and fuel provided to JET authorised distributors . Most importantly , the Phillips 66 values echo our own here at Kettlewell Fuels .
How does the company see the longerterm future for the supply of diesel , kerosene and gasoil markets ? The move to alternative solutions is going to play a key role in reaching government decarbonisation targets . We are supporting the UKIFDA position and like other members we are investigating new product opportunities .
In the meantime , we take a very proactive approach to informing our customers about how they can contribute to fuel efficiency through our regular e-newsletter , how-to videos and social media activity .
Are you optimistic about the industry ’ s fight for liquid fuel in future heating ? We totally accept that there are big changes ahead for the liquid fuels industry and as the current President of UKIFDA I view it as an interesting time to be involved . We have an excellent team working alongside the UKIFDA committees with many years of experience . We are working together to do everything we can to find a way forward for our industry .
How does Kettlewell Fuels see decarbonisation impacting on its core customers in rural communities and commercial companies ? I very much believe that some within our North Yorkshire community will be early adopters , and others will follow-on naturally when it ’ s time for them to update their systems . It ’ s going to be difficult to change the behaviour and systems used for many generations . The incentive to change will have to be ‘ worthwhile ’ for off-grid UK households .
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