FPS EXPO 2018 PREVIEW - Federation of Petroleum Suppliers
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Spring 2018
The only official magazine of the FPS -‘Representing the fuel oil industry’
FPS EXPO 2018
PREVIEW
Housekeeping: FPS CEO’s welcome Perfect platform: Get more from social media
EXPO: Your preview to this year’s event Tank maintenance: Why it is so important
Round-up: Training essentials with the FPS Be prepared: Threat from terrorism
NEWS: FPS HOUSEKEEPING Visit us at FPS Expo 2018 - Stand 67
H USEKEEPING
An introduction from the new FPS Chief Executive
It is a great honour to take up the position of Chief
Executive of the FPS. Thank you to the President,
Jodie Allan, and the Executive Committee for giving
me this opportunity.
I had hoped to have a quiet start to my role with time to
review, reflect and read, but that hasn’t really happened due
to a large number of meetings (all arranged to coincide with
my start date!), the immediate attention required on Clean
Growth Strategy, the severe winter weather and the ramp up
of work for FPS EXPO 2018.
The trade show comes at just the right time for me. The
HQ team and the Councils have provided some great
feedback on what improvements they would like to see in the
Federation and now I want to hear from the members.
M A B AV I S I O N
Leading up to EXPO 18, I have been travelling across the
UK and Ireland attending regional meetings and listening
to the thoughts of the membership. The EXPO is a perfect
opportunity to get more input from those members who FPS Chief Executive Guy Pulham
couldn’t attend a regional session. Don’t be surprised if the
team and I appear with a survey to get your views as I’d like
to talk to as many members and exhibitors as I can. When This greatly helped FPS and its members better understand
I’m not out and about you should be able to catch me on the the emergency exemption in place in the UK and for the FPS
FPS stand – come and say “hello”. to gain temporary relaxation of driver hours in Ireland. On
top of that we continue to work alongside OFTEC to shape NEW ON MABALIVE
Over the years the FPS has become synonymous with the Clean Growth Strategy with the BEIS (Business, Energy
EXPO and vice versa. That is great but I fear that in many
eyes, the EXPO is the FPS. It is a vitally important part
and Industrial Strategy) government department; and in
Scotland we have been working hard with SEPA (Scottish
Access your trading account online for quick and
of our Federation and our revenue stream, but the FPS
is about much more and my aim is to get people talking
Environmental Protection Agency) on smoothing the
implementation of the new oil storage regulations.
transparent deal administration
about the training, lobbying and membership services that
the FPS provides in addition to EXPO. That starts with There are many issues which will challenge this industry
us communicating better, shouting about successes and as we move into the next decade. I know that many of our
Mabalive has evolved! Now, as well as being able to view live pricing Live pricing
and order online, you can track a deal with real-time reporting,
ensuring that members get value from their membership. members have evolved their businesses over time and see Online ordering
from lifting at the terminal, right through to final invoicing.
These are the areas that I would love to hear your views change as an opportunity to reflect, refocus and position
on at EXPO 18. Let’s hope that the weather is as kind as themselves for continued success in the future. That’s Real-time reporting
A new dashboard provides an at-a-glance overview of your account,
recent years. exactly what I would like to do for the FPS.
and you can drill down to more detailed reports such as, purchased Deal administration
orders, daily movements, balances to lift, invoice history and more.
Talking of weather, at the end of February we all thought I look forward to seeing you in Liverpool.
Having complete visibility of your trading account will transform
that spring was around the corner so it was a bit of a shock
deal administration, making it quicker and far more efficient.
to experience one of the worst winter storms we have seen Best regards,
in the UK and Ireland for some time. I was impressed with Guy
the relationships that Tony Brown (Technical Manager UK)
and Nick Hayes (Ireland Representative) have with their Big enough to depend on, small enough to care
respective transport agencies. 0207 802 3300 | www.mabalive.co.uk
6 | Downstream - Spring 2018
NEWS: FPS HOUSEKEEPING
H USEKEEPING
Heroic drivers battle ‘Beast from the East’ FPS keeps up pressure on the Government
The FPS is continuing to lobby the Government on According to the latest quarterly data from the Sutherland
behalf of its members, most recently writing to the Tables, a recognised independent source of comparative UK
Chancellor Philip Hammond urging him to keep fuel domestic heating prices, the average annual cost of heating a
duty low, help off-grid homeowners with a nationwide three-bedroom home in Great Britain with an oil condensing
boiler scrappage scheme and to give support to the boiler is currently £1,048 per year whilst a conventional oil
oil heating industry to develop a new bio fuel. boiler is £1,279 per year, so swapping to an oil condensing
boiler will also save households over £200 per year.
Chief Executive of the FPS, Guy Pulham, said: “FPS
members make around four million deliveries of heating oil to “Heating oil is still substantially less expensive than an
consumers each year and many of our members are small- LPG condensing boiler at £1,553 per annum, and cheaper
to-medium sized businesses operating on a low margin. than electric storage heaters at £1,910 per annum.
“Should fuel duty increase this would impact on
members’ cash flow and profitability, and importantly,
those increased costs would have to be passed on
to consumers, something which the FPS and its Rural homeowners suffer from
FPS members produced some heroics as they battled Guy Pulham, Chief Executive of The Federation of Petroleum members are lobbying Government to avoid.”
disproportionately low support
to reach customers during one of the worst periods of Suppliers, said: “Many of our members have been
winter weather in recent years. implementing the Cold Weather Priority scheme that was The FPS is also urging Philip Hammond to implement from schemes such as the Energy
policies that will help the forgotten rural fuel poor whilst also
The infamous ‘Beast from the East’ – the cold snap which
launched last year by the FPS to help prioritise elderly and
vulnerable customers. Members’ local knowledge of their
meeting the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy targets. Companies Obligation (ECO)
swept in from Russia and caused widespread disruption customers has helped to identify these, but we ask in future
Guy adds: “More than one million homes in rural England,
across the UK – hit at the end of February, giving distributors if anyone has an elderly neighbour who uses heating oil to Scotland and Wales, and almost 500,000 in Northern Ireland,
a long, challenging week to make essential deliveries. check if they are OK and, if they need heating oil, to contact are heated by oil as well as a further 250,000 businesses.
their local FPS member who will be able to help them.” “Running an oil condensing boiler also remains far cheaper
With heating oil order levels at double the seasonal norm, “Rural homeowners suffer from disproportionately low than any renewable heating options with air source heat
distributors had to contend with difficult road conditions, The FPS was also in daily communication with the support from schemes such as the Energy Companies pumps (with radiators) costing £1,681 per year and
especially to homeowners in rural communities. Several of Government; working with the Government resilience teams Obligation (ECO), where most funding is delivered biomass (wood pellets) costing £1,381 per annum.”
those, many of them small family firms, have been going to get the roads in rural areas cleared so FPS member in urban areas and for gas boiler replacements.
above and beyond to get oil out to their customers so people tankers could get to the refineries to collect product and The FPS is also looking for assistance from the Government
have essential fuel to keep warm. reach rural households. “The fuel poor are also excluded from the RHI as they can’t for industry research and development for long-term change
afford the high upfront costs to install renewable technologies to a 100 per cent bio product. Guy adds: “This is only
In addition, the FPS also sought and has received from and importantly, many renewable technologies are not feasible if the Government can provide support to industry
One FPS member, Craggs Energy in West Yorkshire, came to
the solution for all housing. We believe a government- for technological investment now, ensuring a payback for
the rescue of a lady with a young baby who needed heating the Department For Transport (DFT) and Department
supported nationwide scheme to replace older oil boilers innovators. It is also important that the Government facilitates
oil, but her property was located on a road cut off by snow, for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) an
with energy efficient condensing boilers would both reduce a dialogue with the full supply chain so that refiners, importers
so inaccessible to an oil tanker. This didn’t stop the Craggs emergency exemption of the regulations covering drivers’
heating bills whilst also making a significant contribution to and associated industries, such as aviation, are also included.
team who delivered heating oil by carrying containers three hours for FPS members. Following communication between
quarters of a mile to reach the lady’s house. DFT and FPS, the DFT was of the view that the delivery of reducing CO2 emissions. It could also help those families
who can’t afford the RHI and who don’t qualify for ECO. “We recognise the work of the Government to meet the
domestic fuel, in order to maintain supply to customers, 2050 carbon reduction target, but oil, more specifically a
At its worst the snow and icy conditions reduced productivity could be considered to meet the criteria for an ‘emergency’. bio product, can be part of the solution, not the problem.
“The Energy Savings Trust estimates that the cost of
at some member depots by up to 95 per cent, with large The FPS and its members are eager to engage and asks
installing heat pumps is at least £6,000. Compare this
numbers of aborted deliveries. One driver took three hours to around £2,000 for an oil condensing boiler of similar Government to provide a clear pathway to its Clean Growth
to make a single delivery due to the snow and the heat output or £1,600 if subsidised by a nationwide £400 Strategy targets so that our members can innovate and evolve
rural roads being untreated. Another member made just government boiler replacement incentive scheme, or free their businesses as they have done over the last 80 years.”
three out of 16 scheduled deliveries in one day – the norm for the poorest households under ECO. These boilers
is for anywhere between 16-25. could also be adapted in the future for bio-fuel.”
12 | Downstream - Spring 2018 www.fpsonline.co.uk | 13
FEATURE: EXPO PREVIEW
An even bigger and better year for FPS EXPO
Why not come and see one of the biggest events for the downstream
oil industry, in what is expected to be another record year
On April 18-19, 150-plus exhibitors Award-winner Room with a view
will be gathering at the Exhibition
Centre Liverpool (ECL) for what has
become the blue riband event for
The FPS EXPO is now a world-class But, the FPS EXPO is not all about In 2017, the event
event – and has come along way since business. The first day ends with the
the downstream oil industry. the first in 1981. Since then it has President’s Drinks Reception, where won the accolade of
moved from Telford to Harrogate, and, exhibitors are invited for drinks on the
FPS EXPO brings together companies
from around the world. It is a major
in 2016, to its current location at the ECL’s open-air Riverside Terrace, which Exhibition of the Year
state-of-the-art ECL. In 2017, the event is another chance to make new contacts
networking opportunity where leading won the accolade of Exhibition of the in a relaxed atmosphere.
professionals can discover new Year at the Trade Association Forum
products and services, learn about 2017 Best Practice Awards, which is The EXPO is also famed for its
industry innovations, and connect with testament to the development of the Aftershow Party, which will be on
current and potential suppliers. trade show, and the recognition it has Thursday, from 7.30pm to 1.30am,
gained in recent years. where there will be food, drinks, live
entertainment, and even a casino, all
In 2017, more than 1,800 visitors served up at Revolución De Cuba, in
passed through the doors of the ECL. the Albert Docks.
This year will be another sell-out.
If you are interested in learning more
From global multi- Linda Cavender, Chief Executive of the
Trade Association Forum, said: “FPS
about FPS EXPO, why not attend
this year as a delegate? Registration
nationals to small EXPO is a fantastic industry exhibition.
It is hugely successful and has achieved
is free, and quick and simple. Go to
www.fpsshow.co.uk, or alternatively
independents, there is some amazing results. This is all the
more impressive given the very small
register on the day. This year’s FPS
EXPO begins on Wednesday, April 18,
a space for everyone team responsible, and FPS well deserve
their win of the TA Best Practice Award
at 10am.
at FPS EXPO Exhibition of the Year.”
FPS Events and Marketing Manager
Dawn Shakespeare said: “The FPS
EXPO has come along way, and is
now a leading event on the oil industry
calendar. We have a great mix of
companies, who are able to develop
new opportunities with our highly
specific industry-focussed delegates.
From global multi-nationals to small
independents, there is a space for
everyone at FPS EXPO from which to
promote and grow their business.”
28 | Downstream - Spring 2018 www.fpsonline.co.uk | 29
=
FEATURE: FPS TRAINING
All you need Q. Tell me a little about your role Tony Q. What sort of training does the A driver could complete all Classes, if Q. Where are the courses carried out?
to know about
FPS offer? the business requires him to undertake
I’m the Technical Manager at the this, however, if a driver only carries There are two options available: Head
FPS, and have a wide remit and We do a range of industry-specific dangerous goods for one or two of Office and Mobile, which the FPS
responsibilities. These include the training, but the majority of courses these Classes, then that is all he or has approval for both. Trainers can
industry training
development of the FPS training, focus on the driver. These include: she is required to pass to obtain that come directly to your business for an
managing the approval process CPC, which is now legally required for class type. approved location, which is classed as
through the relevant governing body, all professional LGV and PSV drivers the Mobile option, or to the FPS main
and vetting the trainers to make sure holding Category C or Category D The third element which bolts on is office, which is defined as Head Office.
with the FPS
they are high-quality and have licences, PDP, which is really for drivers Tanks, so if you are driving a lorry with Ninety per cent of our courses are
industry/transport knowledge. working in mainline terminals, ADR a fixed tank on the back, you would do classed as mobile.
which covers the driver for carrying the Tanks module, too.
Other functions include sitting on dangerous goods. We also offer There are some very detailed
various industry committees and management and depot training design The fourth element, which bolts on, is requirements that must be met before
working groups to assist in the to suit site specific and member needs. Packages, so if you are driving a lorry a location is deemed suitable.
development of industry-specific or van which contains barrels, boxes,
guidance and publications to help our Q. Can you tell me more about ADR? and containers suitable for the carriage Q. Can you tell me more about PDP?
members. These cover all aspects of of dangerous goods over the threshold
Get the low-down with Tony Brown, Technical legislation relating to ADR, Transport, It is a legal requirement for all drivers limit set by ADR, then you will need to This is really for drivers working in
Manager (UK) at the FPS, on their range of courses Security, Training, Environmental, carrying dangerous goods over a pass the package module. mainline terminals, like Kingsbury or
and the dangers businesses face by not investing Health and Safety, Retail. I also carry certain threshold to hold a valid ADR Avonmouth, where this specific card
out various types of depot/transport/ card for type of class being carried. It At the end of the two or three- is required. Certain companies have
in industry-standard training compliance audits for members and the is essential to the industry, and anyone day course to obtain a valid ADR decided to put all their drivers into
management of the safety forum, which stopped without carrying a valid ADR, certificate, you will need to pass a the PDP scheme, while others have
involves a core group of FPS members. with the correct type and class will be written examination for Core, Tanks and only put those that load within the
committing an offence and could be whichever class you will be carrying. main terminal.
Q. How long has the FPS provided its prosecuted. The threshold to comply If all classes are needed, then the
training services? with ADR does depend on the type class will be more than one paper, if PDP training is separated into two
of class and volume being carried Packaging is required then an additional sections – a three-hour classroom-
The training was introduced around six on the vehicle. examination paper will be included. based course, plus exam, followed
years ago. The FPS became heavily As our industry is flammable liquids, by an additional practical assessment,
involved with CPC from the start. If you have a valid ADR card already, by default the most popular ADR where the driver performs a vehicle
Legislation stated that from September then this must be renewed every five course is class 3 in Tanks, however, check, loading a vehicle, drives a
2014 all LGV drivers must hold a valid years. There are two types of ADR some drivers do hold more than the vehicle and makes a delivery. This
CPC card before that date. We then training – the first is a refresher course one class and type. practical assessment mirrors a real-life
applied for ADR and PDP registration for the class and type already held by situation of a driver going out into the
so we could extend our portfolio to give the driver, which is a two day course Q. Do drivers sit exams? field, visiting a customer and making
professional and high-quality training for and maybe a one day course in certain delivery. The driver must pass both
our members. cases, the second is a minimum three- Yes, for ADR and PDP, but not for CPC, sections within four months of each
day initial course for anyone who hasn’t which are set at the end of the course. other to obtain a valid PDP card.
Q. Who is your training for? already got an ADR card, but this does
depend on how many class types the Exam papers are then sent away The card is also valid for five years.
Our members and distribution driver needs. and marked by the SQA. Results are However, the PDP needs an annual
companies mainly, but more specifically, returned and cards issued to the driver refresher, so, each year the driver must
a driver who needs valid ADR, CPC and Q. What’s involved? in around six weeks. complete a practical assessment based
a possible PDP card to comply with on the original format plus an hour in a
both legal and terminal requirements The ADR course content is broken down Most training providers use a written classroom to maintain validity of his or
for the carriage of Dangerous Goods into categories. We have Core, which is exam, which take about six weeks to her PDP card. Various methods can be
to the end-users. We also cater for the main structure of ADR that the driver process, however, the FPS can offer used to link both PDP to either CPC and
private individuals who can’t get into the needs to understand. an online exam for its members, which ADR, or even standalone, this is subject
industry unless they have a valid ADR most training providers cannot supply. to the training provider having approval,
card, and companies who are not in the The second element you have is This then speeds up the marking which the FPS does. Members should
industry but want additional training. Classes. These could be anything from process, which allows the card to be check with the FPS which options
class one to nine, such as Explosive issued quicker. are available.
class 1 and Flammable Liquids class 3.
50 | Downstream - Spring 2018 www.fpsonline.co.uk | 51
FEATURE: FPS TRAINING
Q. Can you tell me more about CPC? Jaupt (Joint Approvals unit for Periodic including the transport manager, and be Q. What can we expect from the FPS Q. The FPS is clearly more than just
Training) is the governing body that issued with improvement notices. Worst training in the near future? a provider of training. What other
It is a legal requirement for all LGV controls CPC, approves the course case would be a loss of Operators functions do you offer?
drivers to hold a valid CPC card content, develops the processes. Licence or good repute. The fines We are aiming to deliver full first-aid
(Certificate of Professional competence), potentially are also very high, again courses, which is a requirement of The list is long, but we are happy to
which became law from September The FPS does have a very good depending on the nature of the case. each business (depending on numbers design courses to fit members’ needs.
2014. Each driver with a valid LGV working relationship both with SQA on-site) and Management CPC and
licence would have completed 35 and Jaupt, and we have found them The Safe Loading Pass (SLP) focusses CPC refresher courses for transport These are just some of the functions
hours of periodic training before the very supportive of our industry. Each on a vehicle entering a terminal, which managers, and for anyone who wishes currently available to members via
above date. course is subject to a verification visit is designed to minimise the fire and to become a transport manager, which the FPS:
by either SQA or Jaupt (depending on explosive risk, has been re-designed, includes the exam. The development of • Depot Certification Scheme
A valid CPC card must be renewed the governing body responsible for that which again puts more pressure on FPS member service is key to support (Full compliance audit Fuel
every five years before the expiry date course) to verify that our training meets the operator to raise their standards. our members. Certification Scheme
to remain a legal LGV driver. This can the requirement of ADR, PDP and CPC. This scheme also forms part of the • Depot Mini audits (Depot
be done by completing a further 35 PDP syllabus. storage and Environmental)
hours’ training before the expiry date. Q. Have greater regulations had an We are aiming to • Vehicle workshop audits
impact on the level of training? (DSEAR and Compliance)
deliver full first aid-
(Example: 2019) in block or by attending If the vehicle if found to be faulty, the
5x7 hour modular courses. SLP pass could be removed pending re- • O’Licence compliance audit
courses, which is a
Well, you have got the HSE and DVSA – approval, (loss of profit), and the driver • Driving Licence checker
The FPS training covers legal, health the enforcement authority – being more could be banned from the terminal in E-learning material
requirement of each
and safety and driver requirements proactive. You have got the terminal worse-case, (spillage). • DGSA service for our member For more information, please
with built-in industry specific material. standards increasing, along with (act as your DGSA) call +44(0)121 767 1320,
We have a large portfolio of approved
course materials which include manual
terminal induction process – now the
PDP. All these things have increased
Various authorities can carry out
roadside spot-checks, where fixed business... • Health and Safety Management
System (managed for you)
email tb@fpsonline.co.uk or
visit www.fpsonline.co.uk.
handling, ladders, first-aid, including and improved the industry standard, penalty notices can be handed out, if
suitable films. All our PDP and ADR and the need to maintain personnel for example, the driver has forgotten
courses have approved hours allocated training records within a business. his or her ADR licence. These are all
to CPC. penalty points which count against
I ndus try lead in g sa les a nd m ar keti ng s oftwa re f or the f uel distri butor
Q. Has the US lawsuit culture had any you. Additionally, DVSA use OCRS
Q. Which governing bodies set the effect? Do businesses feel the need (Operators Compliance Risk Score)
course content? to take more responsibility to ensure which further increases pressure on
accidents don’t happen? operators to improve their standards.
The SQA (Scottish Qualifications OCRS relates to safety of the
Authority) is the governing body I think this has pushed members to be vehicle/driver and dangerous goods
who controls ADR, sets the criteria, more conscious of the fact they need to compliance, which all go against
approves the course content, develops do the training professionally, they need an O’Licence.
the processes, the syllabus, and sets to record the information. Insurance
and marks the exam papers, as well companies also need information and
as issuing the valid ADR card if the proof when assessing companies.
FPS EXPO LIVERPOOL
candidate has passed. The worst-case scenario is someone
Again, the PDP scheme is slightly
gets hurt, the company may be
prosecuted, or fined, and that clearly
The FPS training
different, SQA is the governing body
who approves the course content,
has a negative impact on a business. covers legal, health
publishes the syllabus and training
provider guidance, sets and marks the
Q. What are the penalties and fines in
place?
and safety and driver April 18th & 19th 2018
exam papers, and issues and maintains requirements with
the valid PDP card. SQA manages Potentially, a business could be
the scheme on behalf of the DODF prosecuted by the HSE or the Traffic built-in industry Work smarter, grow faster, maximise profits – visit us on stand 54 to find out more
specific material
(Downstream Oil Distribution Forum) Commissioner, however, if a company
who sets the course syllabus. is in breach of health and safety or
the O’Licence requirements, then
the business could end up paying
w ww .c o da s - fp s .c o m
(depending on the level of seriousness), C al l 0161 83 2 92 5 1 o r Em ai l sal e s@c oda s. co. uk f or f ur the r i nf o rma t i o n
from the director down to the driver,
52 | Downstream - Spring 2018 www.fpsonline.co.uk | 53
FPS: SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media: How to better
connect with your customers
FPS Press Officer and Social Media Manager Stephanie Freeman gives an
overview of her presentation from the FPS Members Forum Seminar
Social media is an increasingly Start a conversation Be responsive Mix it up
popular tool for businesses as it
Try all the different social media
enables companies to connect
with their customers in an informal,
The real beauty of social media is it
allows you to talk directly to people
Whether you receive positive or negative
tweets, you should always respond platforms and find the ones that work @FPSEXPO • Feb 15
informative and honest way that who are interested in your sector – and quickly. This is especially true with best for you and your customers. In all
We are delighted to welcome back Lion Safety to FPS
can build trust and enhance brand to have a conversation with them. negative feedback, as a customer likelihood, you’ll use a mixture of Twitter,
EXPO 2018. Looking forward to seeing you in 65 days’
loyalty – and the heating oil sector As with all conversations, remember likes to know their complaint has been Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
time @Lion_Safety #workwear #PPE #oil
is no exception. where you are and tailor your messages acknowledged. If it’s something you mainly, and of course some more
according to the social media platform, need to research before replying, send than others – but it’s worthwhile being
More and more heating oil customers for example, tweets should be punchy, a quick tweet to the individual to say present on all the main ones to make it
are using social media as a means to attention-grabbing and make the most you’re looking into it for them and will be easier for your customers to find you.
understand the sector, the best ways of hashtags for relevant words such as in touch ASAP. It’s a good idea to then
of buying oil, and to establish who the #oil and #localarea; Facebook should take it offline and contact the person Get your message out there @FPSEXPO • Feb 12
important companies within the industry be focused on engaging posts with via Direct Message or email/phone call,
are. And this is why it’s important for nice pictures and the opportunity for so that you can make it a one-to-one Ultimately, social media is an effective way Why not feature in @FPS_oil Downstream @FPSEXPO
FPS members to use social media. people to respond; and LinkedIn should conversation, tailored for them. This to communicate to customers who are Special, which marks the downstream oil industry’s
be about information relevant to the way, you can turn a negative into a willing to listen – tailor tweets for most important event of the year. Advertise in the official
You can interact with your customers particular Group. positive, with a fast, personalised and them using relevant hashtags and post magazine of @FPS_oil and put your business in front
more easily as well as entice new problem-solving response – particularly to people who like you on Facebook of key industry decision-makers. Call 0113 224 2213
#heatingoil #FPSEXPO
customers to order your heating oil Make it a conversation if you also follow-up your response or are in your Group on LinkedIn. You
through your company or another, after it’s resolved, with a tweet to check can engage with your audience in a
local FPS member. Social media is not all about you, it is everything is still okay for the customer. vibrant, refreshing and relevant way that
about engaging with your audience – includes posting industry news, your
remember a conversation is a two-way Retweet company news such as latest heating
event, so take the time to listen as well oil offers and information, as well as @FPSEXPO • Feb 2
as send messages online. Retweeting another person or retweeting posts and commenting on
business’s tweets is a great way to others’ announcements to highlight your Yet another new exhibitor has confirmed their booking
Provide a service acknowledge something as interesting, knowledge and come across as likeable. - UK Bunded Fuel Tanks t/a Weld Smart Ltd - we are all
The real beauty of relevant or funny – and an effective
way to build connections with your Social media is important for all FPS
looking forward to seeing you in April
@UK_Fuel_Tanks #Oil #Liverpool
Think of what you want to offer your
social media is it customers through social media, customers online. members as so many of your customers
are using it. Good luck with getting
whether that be a free ebook guide to
allows you to talk buying heating oil or useful information Be yourself started online, enjoy the experience and
always keep in mind who you are reaching
for customers using heating oil such as
directly to people tank security and when to buy oil, etc. Feel free to let your personality come out to and what your objective is.
Whether you receive positive or
Keep your posts fresh by changing the through on social media – by being
who are interested media you use too, sometimes linking to human online, expressing opinions, If you have any difficulties in
getting started, please contact negative tweets, you should always
industry articles and your own website, commenting on industry matters, and
in your sector other times posting helpful video clips, even making the occasional joke, Stephanie Freeman, Press Officer
and Social Media Manager for the respond quickly
infographics or pictures. potential customers will be more likely
to warm to you. After all, people buy FPS on +44(0)796 114 9399 or email
from people, not businesses. sf@fpsonline.co.uk, who will be
happy to help.
58 | Downstream - Spring 2018 www.fpsonline.co.uk | 59
FEATURE: WINTER DEATHS
CALL FOR ACTION
OVER 40% WINTER
DEATHS RISE
Alarming increase highlights that there is still
not enough being done by the Government and
energy efficiency improvements are needed
Urgent policy intervention is needed to improve (ECO2t), as the focus shifted towards improving particularly as many rural properties were built pre-
energy efficiency for vulnerable rural households insulation. As a result, the number of boiler upgrades 1920, making them difficult to cost-effectively treat.
and help safeguard against the unacceptable carried out under the scheme fell within the first month With resources scarce, helping low income households
number of additional deaths that occur alone by 83 per cent to just 1,211 installations. to upgrade their heating systems would reap far
during the winter months, says OFTEC. higher benefits in terms of reducing fuel bills, enabling
The move away from new boiler installations has vulnerable people to better afford to keep warm.
Latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data¹ shows there
were an estimated 34,300 excess winter deaths in England
left many fuel poor households across England and
Wales with no other option than to continue wasting
Upgrading the “We strongly urge government to continue ECO
and Wales over the 2016/17 winter period, a rise of almost
40 per cent and the second highest level for five years. This
money they can ill afford to lose on inefficient heating
systems when a simple boiler upgrade could cut their
estimated 400,000 beyond September 2018 with a renewed focus on boiler
replacements in rural areas as part a series of measures
equates to 11 elderly people dying unnecessarily every hour². fuel bills by over £300 a year or some 20 per cent. old, inefficient required to tackle the fuel poverty crisis at its root.”
Unsurprisingly, the elderly were most affected and
more than a third of deaths were caused by health
With the average fuel poverty gap (the additional income
needed to bring a household out of fuel poverty) standing
oil boilers still OFTEC says extending an oil boiler replacement
scheme beyond fuel poor households could
conditions such as respiratory illnesses which are made
worse by cold temperatures. The problem is further
at £371⁴, it’s clear a boiler replacement programme could
greatly contribute towards combatting fuel poverty – and in use would also represent an important step in the crusade
to decarbonise domestic heating.
exacerbated in rural areas where a higher proportion³
of people live in fuel poverty and so cannot afford to
at the same time, significantly reduce carbon emissions.
deliver immediate Paul Rose said: “In the ‘Clean Growth Strategy’ published
adequately heat their homes to stay warm and well. OFTEC CEO Paul Rose said: “For too long now
Government has recognised the interlinked issues of financial and carbon at the end of last year, Government recognised that
‘decarbonising heat is our most difficult policy and technology
reduction benefits
Despite this critical situation, in March 2016, the budget fuel poverty and excess winter deaths, describing the challenge to meet our carbon targets’. That’s why we need
for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – the main situation as ‘scandalous’ and ‘unacceptable’. Yet policy to look at all the options available to achieve the end goal.
scheme to help fuel poor households become more to address the problem remains painfully inadequate.
energy efficient – was slashed by 40 per cent to £640m. “Whilst continuing to support oil heating in the short term
“Changes to ECO have seen insulation become the may seem to go against the tide of carbon reduction
This was followed by a cap on new boiler installations key priority. Whilst insulation is a welcome step, efforts, we think it could provide an important part of the
from April 2017 under the second phase of the scheme it will not solve the issue of fuel poverty by itself, jigsaw. Upgrading the estimated 400,000 old, inefficient
60 | Downstream - Spring 2018 www.fpsonline.co.uk | 61
FEATURE: WINTER DEATHS SAFETY
oil boilers still in use would deliver immediate financial
and carbon reduction benefits for their owners and the
Government. It would also mean that all oil-using homes Kingspan Logistical
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are ready to accommodate the roll out of a low carbon
liquid fuel replacement for kerosene, which our industry
is working hard to bring to market during the 2020s.” This equates
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Paul Rose added: “We are in discussion with BEIS policy Customer
advisers and government officials to develop a suitable Retention
strategy to decarbonise heating in off-grid oil-using homes.
people dying
“We remain committed to decarbonising off-grid heating
and securing financially viable, practical solutions for the unnecessarily
850,000 oil-using households across England and Wales.”
every hour
¹Office of National Statistics (ONS) Excess Winter Mortality in England and Wales:
2016 to 2017 (provisional) and 2015 to 2016 (final)
²National Pensioners Convention Fuel Poverty Briefing Paper November 2017
³DECC Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics Report 2016
⁴ Fuel Poverty: Ending the vicious cycle of vulnerability report. Energy Utilities
Alliance (EUA) 30 January 2018
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62 | Downstream - Spring 2018
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