Irish News
J&M Oils transfers to Valero ownership
ANNOUNCING THEIR DECISION TO RETIRE LAST YEAR, WEXFORD COUPLE JACK & MARY GALWAY HAVE TRANSFERRED THE
OWNERSHIP AND OPERATIONS OF J&M OILS, THEIR ADAMSTOWN-BASED BUSINESS, TO VALERO MARKETING IRELAND LIMITED
WHICH MARKETS THE TEXOIL BRAND IN IRELAND.
Having devoted 34 years of service to the
business since its establishment in 1985,
their decision was influenced by a wish to
see the high level of service to its customers
maintained without interruption and with a
long-term prospect of continuity.
“Moreover, with our daughter and three
sons each pursuing successful careers and no
clear line of succession, it became inevitable
that a new arrangement needed to be found,”
explained Jack.
Long associated with home heating oil
distribution in the south east, J&M Oils serviced
an extensive domestic and farm customer base
throughout Wexford town and county and into
south Kilkenny and east Waterford.
Before setting up J&M Oils, Jack had
acquired eight years in the oil business, working
as a Texaco driver from their depot in New
Ross. The impetus to ‘go it alone’ came when
Texaco gave its drivers the chance to branch
out and set up their own businesses – an
opportunity seized upon by Jack and Mary.
“ENSURING A
CONTINUED HIGH
LEVEL OF CUSTOMER
SERVICE SUPPORTED BY
COMPETITIVE PRICES
THAT ARE AMONGST THE
BEST IN THE MARKET”
Pictured on the day of their retirement announcement are Jack Galway (centre) with his wife Mary
(2nd left) along with (l-r) driver, Barry Clare, Jack and Mary’s son Tom; Frank Staples and driver
Pat Hennessy who, with his colleague Barry, will continue to operate deliveries as before
“We’ve dedicated our lives to bringing the
business forward, to delivering warmth and
comfort to a legion of loyal home heating oil
customers and to providing a vital fuel supply
to local farming communities,” said Jack and
Mary.
“Our decision to pass the reins to Valero
is one that will ensure the J&M Oils tradition
lives on, and that customers can look forward
to enjoying the same high level of service and
competitive pricing they had come to expect
from J&M Oils.”
Henceforth, deliveries will continue to be
made by experienced drivers Pat Hennessy,
from Tullogher, Co. Kilkenny and Barry Clare, a
native of Wexford town now living in Chapel,
Clonroche.
Through the new arrangement, the
company pledges to provide what Frank
Staples, Valero Marketing Ireland’s commercial
manager south east, says will be “a continued
high level of customer service supported by
competitive prices that are amongst the best in
the market”.
“Specifically, customers of J&M Oils will
continue to benefit from continuity of service
and a competitive market approach that being
part of a larger network will bring,” added
Frank.
Engineering the energy transition
With EU breweries throwing out around 3.4 million tons of unspent grain every year, a Queen’s University Belfast researcher has developed a low-
cost technique to convert left over barley from alcohol breweries into carbon.
Dr Ahmed Osman from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering explains:
“Only a few steps are needed – drying the grain out and a two-stage chemical and heat treatment using phosphoric acid and then a potassium
hydroxide wash. The resulting product can then be used as a renewable fuel for homes in winter, charcoal for summer barbecues or water filters in
developing countries.” Hoping to explore opportunities for the commercialisation of this method in creating activated carbon and carbon nanotubes,
Dr Osman added:
“The synthesis of value-added products from barley waste is a prime example of the circular economy. Using waste food by-products and
creating a high-value product can benefit the environment and society through economic and social opportunities.”
From 26th-28th February, Queen’s University’s work on biofuels from waste will be featured at the Engineering the Energy Transition conference
in Belfast.
16 Fuel Oil News | January 2020