Outlook for 2020
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How do fuel distributors see the fuel future?
Jo Ritzema – managing Director of WCF
Richard Burton - managing director at
Barton Petroleum
We are always optimistic…The main
challenge will be for the industry to adapt
quickly to an everchanging and demanding
marketplace. Longer term we must all
address our sustainability in whatever ways
we can. Reducing carbon footprint for the
foreseeable future is important for the
environment and to our customers
With the increasing reality of the impact of
climate change, UK fuel distributors must
work together collaboratively with UKIFDA
to identify, test and implement sustainable
solutions, as well as convincing new recruits
from outside the sector that this remains a
vibrant industry in which to build careers.
It is imperative that we all continue to
invest in our own businesses to support our
rural and agricultural customers, many of
whom don’t have an alternative heating source
and quite frankly need us. The industry must
embrace the use of technology to allow us to
keep pace with other sectors of the logistics
industry who are leading the way. We have
been too slow.
Christopher Bicknell – managing
director of HomeFuels Online
The challenge to maintain and increase
our eco-friendly initiatives awaits
us in 2020, along with continuous
innovations to make the process of
ordering quicker and more efficient for
the online consumer.
As a business we are at the
forefront of reaching out to households
who are now turning to the internet to
purchase their home heating oil.
Nick Goodwin – managing director at Standard Fuel Oils
As a business we are excited for what 2020 will bring. After 8 years of operating out of a single location, come January we will have an additional
two tankers based out of Manchester Fuel Terminal. This will bring opportunities for new staff including drivers and sales executives. In the last
quarter of 2019, we signed up to supply a full lubricants range through Millers Oils. We now have a fully stocked warehouse offering next day delivery
nationwide.
Our major concern would be the ongoing issues surrounding the introduction of FAME into gas oil. (See page 14/15). Although the North West
remains unaffected at the time of writing, a large number of our fellow distributors are having to deal with complaints on a daily basis.
As we move into a new decade, it is impossible not to feel optimistic about what the future holds! As long as we keep innovating and remain at
the forefront of new technology and embrace any new products that come into the market, our business will continue to operate as normal for the
foreseeable future.
“As we move into a new decade, it
is impossible not to feel optimistic
about what the future holds,” said
Nick Goodwin, Standard Fuel Oils
Does your view of the future of fuel oil distribution differ to those here?
Fuel Oil News always welcomes comments from readers – call 01565 653283 to speak with Jane
Raphael or Stephanie Samuel or email [email protected] or [email protected].
We look forward to hearing your views!
Continued on page 12
Fuel Oil News | January 2020 11