Outlook
In Conversation
for 2020
How do fuel distributors see the fuel future?
Continued from page 11
Alex Wolfe – head of fuel cards at Certas Energy
“ “
“A major opportunity that we foresee in 2020 is further movement towards trucks. 2019 saw the movement of trucks on motorways grow by
1.8% as well as a 4% growth in the movement of LGVs. We grew alongside this, opening our 5 new bunker refuelling sites at Red Lion Truckstop in
Northampton, Tyseley Energy Park, Newark, Holyhead and Ecclefechan.
Moving into a new decade we see the increasing importance of cleaner-burning diesel alternatives, such as Shell GTL Fuel and we also look
ahead to embracing new technological innovations in the market, providing solutions for the future of the energy industry.”
Mark Nolan – managing director at Nolan
Fuels
One of the biggest challenges for us has been
the rise in keyboard warriors, who search online
for cheaper prices rather than talk to real people.
However, with many online distributors being
unable to readily share their prices, we regularly
have return customers coming to us directly,
prepared to pay the extra penny for our service.
Looking ahead, this gives us a lot to be
optimistic
about. We keep putting volume on each
Malcolm Farrow – head of
year;
we’ve
reached over 20 million litres and
communications at OFTEC
we’re
still
growing.
Our customers know us, and we
“The 2020s will see a major change
know them. Never the most expensive, we charge
to the way we heat homes and
a fair price and it is our service that sells.
businesses as we begin in earnest to
The industry saw several acquisitions in 2019
transition away from fossil fuels. It will
mean ending the use of pure kerosene and I expect 2020 to bring more of the same.
Selling our own business is never off the table, but
and I’m optimistic that we can lead
whilst I still get a kick out of supplying customers
the shift towards sustainable low
when no one else can, we will continue to grow.
carbon liquid fuels, which is essential
We’re here to help the customer and in it for the
for the long-term prosperity of the
industry and the best solution for off- long haul.
gas grid consumers.”
12 Fuel Oil News | January 2020
Rory Clarke – managing director at RIX
It certainly feels like our industry is on the brink
of change, with the Blue Planet effect and kids
on strike from school; the climate is increasingly
on the agenda.
In response to Government policy we see
more electric cars on the road and increases in
the RTFO, which has resulted in an increase in
the amount of FAME in fuel, gas oil in particular,
which in turn has led to some challenges.
Kerosene may well be next to have FAME added
to it and that will also create some issues to
overcome, but biofuels will allow us to decrease
our carbon content which we must do or face
the potential threat of more carbon neutral
alternatives.
Whilst there are challenges to overcome I
believe that the next decade will still hold plenty
of opportunities for our industry.
My wish for 2020?
Brexit gets done and we can all move on!