Our Christmas Food Bank Collection 2022

The Hull Foodbank, part of The Trussell Trust, work to provide emergency food to support those in poverty. This year, the need for this support has been greater than ever. In October, the Trussell Trust released its first-ever emergency appeal for donations as the cost of living crisis has meant that food banks are under immense pressure in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

 

Since 2017, we have gathered an annual Christmas collection to donate to the Hull Foodbank. With the increased demand this year, we wanted to help more than ever.

 

Our annual Christmas collection began as a “Reverse Advent Calendar”, in which staff members would give one item of food to the collection every day in the run-up to Christmas. Over the years, this has grown exponentially thanks to the hard work of our organisers Colin Wooldridge and Ryan Anderson, as well as those across the group who have donated.

Food Bank Collection Over the Years
Food Bank Collection Over the Years

This year, we started our collection in July with a company fishing trip, with all the proceeds going towards our donation. Then, in October, we ramped up our effort to gather donations from across the J.R. Rix & Sons group. We were blown away this year by the generosity shown.

 

We are also thankful to those who aided us in our efforts to raise awareness of the Trussell Trust’s call for action, including BBC Radio Humberside, who invited Colin on air with Kofi Smiles to discuss what businesses in the local area can do to help as part of their Make a Difference campaign.

 

Our collection was completed and collected by Hull Foodbank just before Christmas. We are astounded and delighted to announce that the final weight for our 2022 Christmas donation was a whopping 1.91 Tonnes!


We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those who have given to food banks this year, both within Fuelmate and in the wider area. We hope everyone had a lovely festive period and a Happy New Year.

Food Bank 2022 Final Weight

Our Christmas Opening Hours 2022

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As we move into 2023, we are looking forward to seeing our customers’ businesses grow and thrive. After what has been a very challenging year for everyone, we would also like to thank you for your continued support and custom.

 

During the festive season, our team will be available on reduced hours. However, if you are in need of assistance, our Online Portal will be available 24/7 if you need to view your account details or manage your cards. You can also use our Garage Locator to search for nearby refuelling points.

Our Festive Hours Are:

 

Friday 23rd December:

8 am – 5 pm


Monday 26th December:

Closed


Tuesday 27th December:

Closed


Wednesday 28th December:

9 am – 4 pm


Thursday 29th December:

9 am – 4 pm


Friday 30th December:

9 am – 4 pm


Monday 2nd January:

Closed


Tuesday 3rd January Onwards:

8 am – 5 pm

If you don’t currently have an account set up and would like to find out what we could do for your fleet, you can get in touch with our team today to see how you could start 2023 with your fuel savings journey.

Fleet cost reduction: 10 instant changes that can save you money

Rising operational costs are a pressing concern for corporate fleet managers in 2022. When looking at fleet cost reduction, there are many ways that businesses try to cut back. However, many of these can yield less than satisfying results. Our top 10 tips on how you can reduce your fuel costs, which consider both short and long-term adjustments, are:

 

1. Analyse fleet costs
2. Manage maintenance
3. Replace old vehicles
4. Optimise fleet structure
5. Track fleet data
6. Manage staff
7. Evaluate routes
8. Encourage economical driving
9. Track superficial vehicle condition
10. Use fuel cards

How can fleet costs be reduced?

1. Analyse fleet costs

 

The key to fleet cost reduction is planning and data collection. To make sure fleets are running as efficiently as possible, fleet managers need to know the full details of their fleet’s outgoings. A good method to measure this is to work out the total cost of ownership (or TCO) for each vehicle. To work out a vehicle’s TCO, fleet managers will need to calculate:

 

1. The procurement cost: The purchase price, leasing fees, and interest rates together all make up the complete procurement cost.
2. The lifetime costs: These include the money spent on fuel, tax, and insurance. Fleet managers will also need to consider the vehicle’s value depreciation.
3. The maintenance costs: This consists of routine and ad hoc charges, including MOTs and parts changes, as well as any unexpected breakdowns.
4. Area and route fees: These are charges to scrutinise if a vehicle operates in an area that accrues fees, such as congestion charge zones or if they pay regular toll fees as part of their routes.

 

Once fleet managers have calculated their fleet’s TCO, they can identify any areas or vehicles in need of further attention. After this analysis, they can work to budget effectively and reduce fleet costs using the following strategies.

2. Manage maintenance

 

Additional fleet maintenance and care may seem counterintuitive when it comes to saving money. However, caution and diligence with vehicles will lead to reduced downtime and increased fuel efficiency. Faulty parts, such as clogged fuel injectors or worn tyres, can lead to greater fuel consumption, negatively affecting your fleet cost management and increasing the likelihood of breakdowns.

 

A common issue that fleet managers are currently experiencing is the widespread MOT delays due to the large backlog after COVID-19. This has left MOT providers with limited availability. A way to avoid vehicles being off the road while they wait for an appointment is to schedule them more frequently. Vigilant fleet managers are now opting for an MOT every 8 months instead of every 12, giving them some wiggle room and preventing downtime. A complimentary approach is to schedule MOTs alongside other maintenance to be as cost-effective as possible.

 

Another example of spending to save is the use of premium fuels. Although they come at a higher price point, the occasional use of premium fuels that contain cleaning solutions, such as Shell’s V-Power or BP’s Ultimate, can increase a fleet’s longevity and fuel efficiency by cleaning out fuel injectors.

Replacing fleet vehicles

3. Replace old vehicles

 

With regular maintenance and monitoring of vehicles, it becomes apparent when they are no longer cost-effective to keep. When it is time to replace older vehicles, fleet managers should consider the depreciation figure and lifespan for the replacement models, as this will help cut down the overall TCO. They should also look at past fleet vehicles that have given a good return and use this data as an asset to reduce their procurement expenses.


As we also move closer toward carbon-neutral fleets, fleets need managing in a new way. The UK is not far away from seeing the lifespans of diesel and petrol vehicles cut short by their infrastructural phasing out. Fleet managers can transition to carbon-neutral options on a larger or longer scale to assist in fleet cost reduction. Currently, electric vehicles typically have a more expensive upfront cost but are cheaper to maintain. Although, this may change as they become the dominant vehicle type.

4. Optimise fleet structure

 

For fleet managers, it is important to continuously develop and improve a fleet’s structure. A streamlined fleet, with deliberately chosen vehicles, is much more efficient than one preserving an outdated framework.


When in the process of selecting new vehicles, there is an opportunity to look at the fleet structure and potentially choose more conservative vehicles. Namely, if it is appropriate to downsize parts of the fleet to boost fleet cost reduction. For example, if staff are now carrying less or lighter equipment, a smaller vehicle may be a valid option for them, those with lower mileage may be better suited to a petrol vehicle, or alternative arrangements, such as vehicle sharing or adopting grey fleet vehicles, may be best for those with especially low mileage.

5. Track fleet data

 

Accurate data and analytics, such as telematics, have many benefits for fleets. Advanced data collection leads to optimised routes, informed fuel purchasing decisions, and better road safety among drivers, all of which lead to fleet cost reduction. With telematics, there is the additional advantage of dashcam footage, which can save your company in costly legal fees should an accident occur.

6. Manage staff

 

Unclear leadership and low levels of staff support can lead to poor morale, diminished performance, or even high turnover rates. Within widespread fleets, it can be easy for drivers to feel isolated and like they are not part of a team.


Rather than fleet costs being spent on recruitment, it is better practice as a manager to value and prioritise your current team. By working to make staff feel motivated and connected, managers will notice an improvement in most facets of their business and fleet. Read our tips on how to best manage drivers here.


To save on spending, you can also encourage staff to make more economical decisions regarding their fleet usage. For example, office-based staff who regularly travel for meetings could replace a portion of their travel with virtual meetings.

Evaluate Routes

7. Evaluate routes

 

Along with using fuel cards, one of the most prudent ways to save on fleet costs is to stay informed on where vehicles will get the best refuelling rate, which is often a changeable detail.


When you choose fuel cards from Fuelmate, we give you access to our online portal and journey planner, which is an advantageous resource for fleet managers. With our journey planner, you can find the most cost-effective route for your drivers and save your fleet money on unnecessary detours. With our detailed invoices, you can also see where your drivers have been refuelling and what you could be saving.

8. Encourage economical driving

 

Efficient driving is one of the best ways to reduce fleet costs. As mentioned previously, uneconomical driving habits lead to increased fuel consumption and safety risks. By using telematics, fleet managers will be able to assess which drivers may need further training, and promote the following practices among drivers:


• Removing excess weight from fleet vehicles,
• Driving smoothly instead of braking or accelerating harshly,
• Avoiding unnecessary speed,
• Avoid idling,
• Where possible, such as when slowing down or on a decline, using engine speed as opposed to continued acceleration,
• Moving up gears at about 2000 rpm,
• Skipping gears where possible.

Track Vehicle Condition
9. Track superficial vehicle condition

A common complaint with communal cars, such as pool cars, is that staff members will leave them in a poor condition for other drivers. Often, we have seen fleet managers have to frequently pay to valet vehicles because of drivers leaving them in a subpar state. Another issue is that damage caused to vehicles while on the road, even superficial, can lead to end of contract charges when a lease agreement expires.


A way to reduce these expenses is to create a level of accountability for staff. This includes a clear and consistent assessment of vehicles before and after staff drive them. This can be a task that staff can complete when they are first taking the vehicle and when they return it via a form or checklist, either physical or digital. Some fleets include QR codes linked to online forms with their pool car keys, so that staff have easy access.

Using Fuel Cards

10. Use fuel cards

 

Fuel cards are a popular and effective way for fleets to save money on fuel as well as make their administration and budget tracking simple. When compared to the national average, fuel cards can offer an attractive discounted rate and, as well as refuelling, can be used for a range of fleet items, such as AdBlue.

 

Here at Fuelmate, we offer a range of fuel cards that cover all of the UK’s major fuel networks to improve your fleet cost reduction and management. Our team of trained fuel experts will select the best fuel card solution for your business based on your fleet’s requirements. Our invoices supply you with advanced and itemised data that will help you to assess your fleet’s fuel usage for further savings opportunities. To find out more about how a fuel card can save you money, click here, or get in touch with our team to start your fuel card journey today.

Fleet Management Trends in 2022

So far, 2022 has been an immensely challenging year for those operating fleets. One of our top fleet management tips is to learn to adapt to the current environment and a large part of doing so is keeping up to date with the industry. In this post, we explain the biggest fleet trends and adversities that fleet managers have been discussing throughout the year. The top fleet management trends from 2022 so far have been:

• Increased operational costs
• Moving to electric vehicles
• Microchip shortages
• Cyber-attack concerns
• Grey fleet
• HGV driver shortage
• Increased interest in telematics

 

Below, we explore these topics in more detail and give advice for fleet managers moving in the third quarter.

Fleet Trends

Increased Operational Costs

Increased operational costs

 

The worrying and exponential rise in operating costs is the most popular talking point among this year’s fleet management trends. Fuel prices have risen throughout the year. In March, oil reached its highest price since the 2008 recession. This rise has seemed to temporarily plateau recently, but further increases are likely as we look ahead.


The rise in prices is due to a variety of factors. The most impactful has been the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. Russia was one of the world’s largest exporters of oil and supplied much of Europe before the invasion. Afterwards, countries began to introduce sanctions against Russia. This has affected the global supply of oil and raised costs, as well as put a strain on availability.


The effects of Brexit have also seen prices and time needed for importing and exporting goods increase this year. These delays have caused unwelcome strain for fleets and those in the freight and transport sectors.
As a result, the cost of most resources that fleets depend on has shot up.

David Legg, director of tyres at the i247 Group has said “We’ve seen manufacturer price increases due to cost rises across materials, logistics, labour, and fuel. These increases are then coupled with a significant change in the fleet mix where we are seeing larger rim sizes and new, more expensive tyre technology to accommodate an increasing number of SUVs and electric vehicles.”


Unfortunately, as most are aware, this is one of those issues that does not have a simple answer. A recession is looking increasingly likely as the economy struggles to right itself. On our blog, we have recommended diverse ways businesses can save money where they can. For those wanting to keep up to date with the oil market, our director, Andy Smith has a weekly update. This update, Fuel for Thought, breaks down the week’s oil market news and what it could mean for customers.

Electric Vehicles

Moving to electric vehicles

 

When it comes to fleet trends, one of the most longstanding topics has been the 2030 ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles. In 2022, this incoming ban has seen fleet managers ramping up their efforts to introduce eco-friendly options to their roster.

 

Previously on our blog, we have discussed the alternatives available on the market, such as HVO and hydrogen. HVO offers a great in-between for ICEs. Hydrogen, however, looks to be the future of heavy-duty, time-pressured, transport such as HGVs. Even so, the industry discusses these options less than their more readily available counterpart: electric vehicles.

 

Electric vehicles are the main alternative fuel source supported by the UK government. As such, we have seen infrastructural developments for EVs such as grants and nationwide charging points crop up over the past decade. This has led to electric vehicles being a pertinent talking point when looking at fleet management trends.

 

Even though there have recently been issues in vehicle supply chains, we are still seeing an increase in the number of electric vehicles purchased. In April 2022, EVs had a 10.8% market share, compared to their April 2021 figure of 6.5%.

 

Initially, the switch to EVs encountered trepidation from fleet managers. However, the transition so far has been going smoother than expected. FleetNews reported that only 20% of fleet managers operating EVs saw rises in the cost of maintenance. When comparing this to the fact that 44% of fleet managers expected increases in maintenance costs during the switch, it raises hopes for a painless changeover.

 

Even though the target for the UK to hit net zero by 2050 appears a good distance away, it would be prudent for fleet managers to look into their fleet’s options for making the switch. This will ensure a smoother transition. However, fleet managers will need to be aware of our next fleet trend.

Semiconductor Shortage

Microchip shortage

 

At the end of 2021, the global auto industry saw an output of 1.5 to 5 million vehicles shorter than planned. This has had a knock-on effect on fleets and fleet management trends everywhere, as vehicle supply has been sparse.


The main part that has been causing this issue is the semiconductor. Semiconductors are a vital part, used in lights, safety features, navigation displays and speedometers. The pandemic heavily affected the supply chain for semiconductors, which is taking longer to recover than hoped. The lack of this crucial part has seen vehicle lead times increase from 6 months to 9 months and over.


Also straining supply chains is the lower output from vehicle manufacturers, who shrank their production last year following reduced global requirements. As is the story for many manufacturers post-pandemic, they have struggled to keep up with the now vastly increased demand.


Thankfully, semiconductor production looks to be picking back up and is on track to be at a sustainable level over the next few quarters. In terms of vehicle manufacturers, there may still be a strain on fleets looking for new vehicles in the short term, but improvement in the long term is likely. Arval’s CEO Alain van Groenendael has said that their “N°1 mission in 2022 will be to help and support our clients overcoming the delays in new vehicles deliveries and in their energy transition”.


In the short term, fleet managers would be wise to extend the life cycles of their current vehicles and place orders for new vehicles earlier in anticipation of longer lead times. Using telematics to stay on track with your vehicle maintenance and reduce downtime or breakdowns is a terrific way to keep your vehicles moving while you work to update your fleet.

Cyber-Attack Concerns

Cyber-attack concerns

 

In May 2022, the fleet software firm Digital Innk warned fleets about the dangers of cyber security breaches. Various popular fleet news sources, such as FleetWorld and Business Motoring, shared this warning. This saw cyber security become a much-talked-about fleet management trend for companies across the UK.


A government survey prompted Digital Innk’s concerns. The survey, conducted between winter 2021 and early 2022, investigated the processes and approaches to cyber security for businesses to inform future policies. The key findings of the survey show that the percentage of businesses facing cyber-attacks has held steady between 2021 and 2022 at 39%.


Even though this figure is lower than 2020, which saw 46% of businesses facing cyber-attacks while employees were working from home, it is still a soberingly high number.


Endorsing strong cyber security is important for all businesses but especially in the context of fleets. As fleets use technology such as telematics and delivery planning software, protecting both your drivers’ and your customer’s data is an essential requirement.


The CEO of Digital Innk, Angela Montacute, advised businesses to update their fleet’s technology to the latest software to make sure their digital security can cope with newer dangers. “Cyber-attacks bring operational issues and the risks of reputational and financial damage,” she said. “Fleets should take action to ensure the digital platforms they use to interact with customers, suppliers and internally are secured with the latest technology.”

As well as keeping technology up-to-date, it is wise to review company procedures and implement regular training for the workforce about the dangers of phishing, suspicious downloads, and general online safety.

Grey Fleet

Grey fleet

 

As operating costs continue to rise, businesses are now looking toward the benefits of grey fleets. Grey fleets, in which employees use their private vehicles for work purposes, also rose in popularity after COVID restrictions ended in 2021. Employees, who previously had used public transport before the pandemic, no longer felt comfortable doing so. Instead, staff began to drive themselves and have their fuel usage subsidised by their employer.


We are again seeing grey fleets become a fleet trend in 2022 as they can remove the expenditure from buying and maintaining vehicles such as pool cars. Grey fleets are not an option for every journey or every fleet, but for those using smaller vehicles for shorter range and less regular trips, they are a viable way to save your company money.


For those deciding to include more private vehicles in their fleets, it is important to ensure that all vehicles used are still legal and safe. Remember that employees will also be feeling the pinch and may hold off on repairs or maintenance as a result. In July, FleetNews found that 6.4% of 3,000 grey fleet vehicles assessed had illegal tyres.


It is also worth noting that using private vehicles can diminish the ability to collect accurate data from driver journeys. It is harder to track mileage without the help of telematics, which can make it harder to see where you can save money by planning your staff’s routes or choosing the most cost-effective refuelling points.


As long as well-constructed processes are in place that ensure vehicles are safe, a grey fleet is a good option for businesses that have infrequent low milage trips to save money on purchasing vehicles.

Driver Shortage
The HGV driver shortages

 

Fleet managers often discussed the HGV driver shortage at the end of 2021, a fleet trend that has persisted through 2022. Fortunately, the shortage has been showing the first signs of easing after government initiatives and media campaigns aimed at bringing fresh drivers on board.

 

In late 2021, the UK was short of over 100,000 qualified HGV drivers. This came as a result of factors including driver retirement, poor rates of driver retention, an enormous backlog of HGV driving tests caused by COVID lockdowns, and Brexit causing EU nationals who were working as HGV drivers to relocate. All of this, combined with the already present shortage of 60,000 drivers caused countless issues and delays within the transport industry.

 

In September, the government laid out thirty-three actions to try and increase the number of LGV drivers in the workforce. These included launching training schemes and boot camps, increasing the number of HGV driving tests by 90%, and introducing temporary visas for EU nationals working as HGV drivers. Some of these actions have been more successful than others, the government scrapped their temporary visa scheme in February after only attracting a proportionally small number of drivers compared to their target.

 

There has also been a media push to change the image of the HGV driving sector, encouraging more women to consider it as a career path. Recently, the BBC released its new show Queen of Trucks, showing the behind-the-scenes of women working in the sector.

 

For fleet managers operating HGVs in need of drivers, although recruitment is a factor, driver retention has much more of an impact on driver numbers. Creating a rewarding environment for your workforce should be a top priority for fleet managers wanting to avoid losing staff. Read our tips on how to be a successful manager for your drivers here.

Fleet Trends and Telematics
Increased interest in telematics

At Fuelmate, we have seen an increase in interest this year in the benefits that telematics can provide. Telematics is an invaluable tool for fleet managers.


This is especially the case in the current climate where fleets are dealing with higher fuel costs and lower vehicle availability. Telematics can help fleets reduce fuel costs by monitoring their drivers for problematic habits that burn unnecessary fuel such as harsh braking or driving in the wrong gear. It can also keep you alerted to when your vehicles are requiring maintenance, which can help stretch out vehicle lifespans in the wake of longer vehicle lead times. If you are interested in telematics, or other cost-effective and convenient fleet solutions like fuel cards, contact us today.


If you would like to stay informed about fleet trends and news, make sure to keep up to date with our blog. You can also follow us on social media, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter for regular updates. If you are searching for advice and guidance on fleet management and different management styles, check out our comprehensive guide to fleet management today.

Take advantage of our free fuel spend analysis

At Fuelmate, transparency is really important to us, especially when it comes to your fuel pricing.

 

We always want what’s best for fleet operators. Our top priority is giving you comprehensive, valuable insights with which to make an informed decision and choose the right fuel card solution, one that suits both your operational and commercial requirements. To help deliver this, we offer a free detailed invoice analysis and fuel profiling service to evaluate your fuel spend.

 

Our team of fuel experts create an in-depth report that reviews your existing usage and spend profile and compares it to our range of fuel card brands and wholesale pricing models. The outcome of this report provides recommendations on how you can achieve greater efficiency and savings.

 

Regardless of the outcome, we want to make sure that our fuel buyers are getting the best from their fuel card provider.

 

How do I request an analysis?

 

Requesting an invoice analysis for your fuel spend couldn’t be easier. Simply give us a call on 0800 158 3582. Alternatively, you can fill in our online contact form to book a meeting or request a call back.

 

When you contact us, we’ll have a quick chat with you regarding your business fuel card requirements and preferences. After we’ve established your needs, we’ll ask you to email your fuel invoices to us for the analysis. We usually ask for invoices covering at least a month, but these invoices can be for whatever period you like. Although the longer the date range, the more comprehensive feedback we’ll be able to provide.

What happens next?

 

Over the next few days, we review your invoices, cross checking the fuel stations currently being utilised by your business. We identify any surcharges and present cheaper alternatives. These, more cost effective, alternatives can include using a different fuel card at the same station or buying fuel at a close location.

 

We then email our report on your fuel usage back to you and carry out a consultation meeting to talk through our findings. This report will detail your fuel spend, benchmarked against the wholesale and retail pricing data. It will identify any potential savings when directly compared to your previous spend.

 

Your report will include a statement, which displays the savings per transaction; a network breakdown to show you your recommended cards; a comparison chart between your current provider and ourselves; and a conclusion to summarise our recommendations for you.

What’s included?

 

In-depth statement

The statement section of our analysis dissects and displays each transaction and potential saving. You can see your total net and gross savings, giving you a thorough insight into your fuel card options.

Network breakdown

In our network breakdown, we display your current provider and a percentage-based breakdown of much you use each card. We then compare this to your proposed card options.

 

In the included example, we were able to offer this customer a two-card solution, where previously they’d used three. This means that they will also save money in card fees as well as upfront fuel costs.

Comparison chart

The information displayed in the statement is then conveniently displayed in a handy chart. This lets you know, at a glance, how much you could be saving with Fuelmate.

 

Overall, our free invoice analysis is a unique service which shows what Fuelmate can do for you. This transparency is not limited to your consultation. It continues throughout your Fuelmate service. We will keep you informed about any changes in your fuel card charges. You will never be in the dark.

 

Through our range of fuel cards, we provide access to the whole of the UK’s fuel stations. We give you excellent coverage, competitively priced fuel, and a personalised industry leading service. If your fuel card deal is coming up for review, or if you’re simply just curious, it costs nothing to see if you could be saving money with us, so why not call now?

We are renewing our partnership with fuelGenie

We are excited to announce that, following a successful partnership since 2017, we will be extending our contract with fuelGenie until 2027.

 

Since 2017, we’ve been working with fuelGenie on a co-branded card solution, which offers our customers lucrative access to over 1,300 supermarket fuel stations nationwide. All sales and customer relationships are managed directly by ourselves, with fuelGenie giving our fuel card users access to their extensive supermarket fuel network.

 

Our supermarket card is perfect for those wanting local coverage. It offers a transparent pump-based pricing system and the benefit of the cheaper rates associated with supermarket forecourts, as well as the continued rewards of collecting nectar points.

 

Our Managing Director, Andy Smith stated:

“Fuelmate is delighted to renew our partnership with fuelGenie for the long-term and offer our customers this excellent option.

 

Not all customers want fixed fuel price card options and the benefits of low cost, supermarket pump prices are well understood and highly valued especially given the current highs of overall fuel prices.”

Managing Director of fuelGenie, Robert Pieczka has said:

 

“Since Fuelmate added fuelGenie to their product portfolio they have consistently demonstrated the added value and benefits of being able to offer a supermarket fuel card solution to a growing number of existing and new customers.”

We are thrilled to be extending our partnership with fuelGenie and to be able to continue to offer our customers the benefits of our supermarket fuel card solution.

Our Festive Opening Hours:

Here at Fuelmate, we would like to thank you for your continued custom in a challenging year and wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2022!


With the holiday season on the doorstep, we also wanted to let you know what hours we will be open over the festive period. As usual, we will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays, with the below changes to our weekday hours before we pick up our normal business hours on the 4th January.

Our Festive Hours Are:

 

Friday 24th December:

8am—1pm

 

Monday 27th December:

Closed

 

Tuesday 28th December:

Closed

 

Wednesday 29th December:

8am—3pm

 

Thursday 30th December:

8am—3pm

 

Friday 31st December:

8am—3pm

 

Monday 3rd January:

Closed

 

Tuesday 4th January Onwards:

Normal Business Hours

If you do need to make any business requests out of hours, don’t worry! Our online portal will still be here for all of your fleet services and fuel card needs.

 

If you don’t currently have an account set up and would like to use our online portal, you can speak to one of our team now to set up an account and access this exclusive feature.

Fuelmate’s Food Bank Reverse Advent Calendar

Whilst 2020 was a year of challenge for all; foodbanks faced the largest increase in demand they’ve witnessed for a number of years. April through to September 2020, the Trussell Trust distributed 1.2 million emergency food packages across the UK, with their predictions of this need increasing over the final months of the year. Following this, it felt right for the teams at Fuelmate and the JR Rix group to collect donations for our local foodbank, Hull Foodbank, a part of the Trussell Trust.

 

Being a part of the Hull community is important to us at Fuelmate. Having previously run 10K for Macmillan amongst other exciting challenges, we’re always keen to help local charities and give back. Since 2017, Fuelmate and the JR Rix group have supported local food banks around the Christmas period to help families keep food in their cupboards when times are tough. Each time we’ve participated in the initiative, we are really proud to see our donations increase year on year.

 

How Our Food Bank Reverse Calendar Worked

 

Organised by Colin Wooldridge, the Foodbank Reverse Advent Calendar campaign began. Rather than having a piece of chocolate each day from an advent calendar, colleagues brought donations of food and essential items to the office ready for Hull Foodbank to collect ahead of the Christmas period. Overall, with so many generous donations, we donated 547kg of food and essential items to support individuals, couples, and families in need across the region this Christmas. This is the equivalent of feeding one person for 31 weeks or feed 110 people over three days.

 

Colin said ‘This year has been an incredibly tough year with millions struggling with isolation, loneliness and feeding families. I firmly believe that without the local food banks, the Coronavirus Pandemic would be an even bigger issue than it already is!’

 

‘To give an idea of the scale, the Food Bank sent a transit van to collect the items, and we managed to help fill the van to the brim. I’m not ashamed to admit it was quite emotional seeing that and I know it really will make a difference to families across this city.’

 

If Fuelmate/Rix Petroleum’s actions can inspire one more person to help, that could be one more person or one more family that will get the support and help that they need. To find out more about Fuelmate and the work we do in our local community, please take a look through our blog.

Switch Fuel Card Supplier – It’s Easier Than You Think

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, so goes the old saying. And maybe there’s some wisdom in that. The trouble is, often when things are broken they still don’t get fixed because of the perceived cost of fixing them – including fuel cards.

 

That’s something we experience at Fuelmate on a regular basis. Companies know they ought to switch fuel card supplier but they are reluctant to because they think the process will be difficult, dangerous and disruptive, with no guarantee of benefit; they want to because the one they are using isn’t working in their best interests.

 

Switch Fuel Card Supplier With A Short Phone Call
So, what would you say if I said you could switch fuel card supplier in just a single, short phone call? Yes, that’s right, one phone call of 5-10 mins and you could have a new, better fuel card provider and a set of cards that better fit your fleet?

 

Too good to be true? Not at all.

 

The fact is, when switching to Fuelmate, we can get most of the information we need to enable you switch from Companies House. All we need after that is some easy-to-grab details such as VAT number, trading address if different from the registered address, invoice email, preferred payment terms (which we always try to accommodate) and direct debit details.

Then we need to know what to print on your cards and the stipulations around what drivers can buy, and that’s it. Once you’ve passed the credit check, you new cards will be with you in 7 – 10 days.

 

It really is a simple as that. So, what’s stopping you?

 

Had Your Fingers Burnt With A Previous Fuel Card Supplier?
A common reason that stops business changing is that they have had their fingers burnt before. They’ve changed, and it didn’t go well.

 

Perhaps they were tempted by a cheaper provider only to find the price rapidly increased after they switched. Or they were hit with a lot of hidden extras that weren’t previously discussed.

 

This is a common technique of unethical fuel card suppliers. They offer a fishing price to hook new businesses, then crank it up as soon as they’ve switched fuel card suppler. We see it a lot and we see the consequences of it; fleet managers who suffer below-par service and fuel cards ill-fitted to their needs rather than risk changing, only to find themselves in an even worse situation.

 

Sometimes, price isn’t the issue. It’s simply that these providers put all their energy into securing new customers so once you’ve switched, ongoing service is appalling.

 

Switch To A Fuel Card Supplier With A Guaranteed Fixed Margin
It is for this reason Fuelmate offers a transparent and fixed margin for the entire life of the relationship between your company and ours. We’re not always the cheapest and we don’t claim to be, but we are the most consistent when it comes to pricing.

 

We also believe we offer the best service. That’s because we’re part of a family company – J.R. Rix & Sons; a group that has been trading in fuel and associated products and services for more than 140 years – and we live by the values of the Rix family. Top of these is fairness in how we treat everyone who comes into contact with our business, particularly our customers.

 

Managing Drivers During A Fuel Card Switch
Another factor that can put people off from switching is managing drivers in relation to the change. But this doesn’t need to a difficult.

 

Usually drivers won’t have to change their refill routines, unless we find something particularly inefficient in their behaviour. In which case, they’re notching up unnecessary cost anyway, and that needs sorting out. And we can number-match the cards, so drivers don’t have to learn a whole new range of pin numbers.

 

After that, how you hand them out is up to you. Usually, for small fleets, the drivers can all be given the cards at the same time at the start of the working day. For large fleets, staged handovers can be arranged around driver shift patterns.

 

Either way, we can help you with the orderly distribution of the cards, to make sure of a seamless transition.

 

Switching Fuel Card Suppliers Shouldn’t Be Hard
The belief that changing fuel card suppliers is difficult, dangerous and disruptive is true only if you’re considering switching to an unethical company. Choose the right provider, however, and you will find it is easy, stress-free and the best move for your fleet and business.

 

So, whereas the old maxim if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it does still apply, a closer look at your fuel card provider is more likely to reveal things are broken and do need fixing.

If that’s the case, speak to us and we’ll show you how easy it is to switch fuel card suppliers.

Rising oil price helps drive growth at J.R. Rix & Sons

HULL-based family business, J.R. Rix & Sons Ltd, grew turnover by 17 per cent in 2017 with all companies in the Group reporting an improved performance on the previous year.

 

Group revenue increased by £60m to £407m in the 12 months to December 31st, 2017, with profit remaining stable at just under £5m.

 

Holiday home and lodge manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes continued to make inroads into the industry, growing market share significantly and increasing sales from £19.5m in 2016 to £26.5m last year. The company was bolstered by the strength of the UK holiday market and the weak pound.

 

The weak pound also combined with an increase in the price of oil prompting growth at the Group’s inland and marine fuels businesses. Rix Petroleum – the largest company in the Group – increased sales from £272m to £304m and Maritime Bunkering’s revenue increased from £25.4m in 2016 to £38m in 2017.

 

Rix Shipping, which manages the company’s shipping fleet and stevedoring operations in Hull and Montrose, saw turnover nearly double across the year from £7.2m in 2016 to £13.6m last year, and the Group’s car and commercial vehicle retailer, Jordans Cars, reported a slight growth in sales from £23.6m to £25.4.

 

Mr Clarke, managing director of J.R. Rix & Sons Ltd, described the performances as solid, adding that much of the growth had come from an increase in the price of oil.

 

He said that the demand for Rix Petroleum’s products was seasonal and affected by the weather, which had been slightly warmer compared to the previous year, with a relatively mild winter.

 

Mr Clarke said: “Overall Group turnover leapt by £60m with all divisions performing well. Although a number of external factors affect the performance of our businesses – the relative strength of the pound, the weather and the price of oil – good governance, keeping a close eye on costs and having a thorough understanding of the environment in which we operate are still key to driving growth.

 

‘’It is particularly pleasing that once again all the operating businesses within the group made a positive contribution to what was a good year for J.R. Rix & Sons.”

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