Business Development Manager appointed at Nicholl Oils

ROD HAWKINS APPOINTED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT NICHOLL OILS

Rod Hawkins has clearly hit the ground running, returning after 17 years to Nicholl Oils as its new Business Development Manager for Northern Ireland, having spent several years at NI Trucks.

There, he had the dual role of Heavy Truck Business Development Manager, representing both NI Trucks in Northern Ireland and their sister company, Emerald Truck & Van, the Iveco distributor for Ireland. The Carrickfergus man, who prior to his NI Trucks appointment worked at Scania dealers Road Trucks where he spent six years, has been in the industry since 1984 and that wealth of experience is already being put to good use in his new role which he took up at the beginning of the year. The timing of his appointment couldn’t have been any more appropriate, with two major issues facing the transport, quarry and construction sectors: the imminent removal of rebates for red diesel and the emergence of a more environmentally friendly fuel alternative HVO. Nicholl Oils are well placed to help customers meet those issues; with its Head Office located in Greysteel and depots in; Belfast, Omagh, Coleraine, Dromore, Strabane, Newtownards, Ballymena, Mallusk, Cookstown, Dungannon and Enniskillen, all strategically positioned to ensure a provincewide delivery service. The company has grown over the 60 years to become Northern Ireland's largest independent oil distributor. While promoting Nicholl Oils core products - Derv, Gas Oil, Petrol and Kerosene - to the haulage, quarry and fuel reseller markets, Rod will also be focused on introducing customers to HVO, hailed as a perfect replacement for diesel. From April this year, red diesel will no longer be available at a rebated rate for many commercial applications, and most current users of red diesel will have to switch to white diesel which will attract the full rate of tax. Industry users of heavy plant, machinery and equipment such as excavators, dumpers, loading shovels and screening plants will no longer be able to run them on red diesel and the permission to use red diesel for commercial heating and power generation will also be affected. Not surprisingly, some of our leading contractors in the construction industry are already switching to HVO and comments Rod: “We are expecting a surge of new customers in the months ahead, so we are fully stocked to meet that demand.”

BENEFITS OF CLEAN AIR HVO RENEWABLE DIESEL AT A GLANCE

Up to 90% reduction in net CO2 greenhouse emissions meaning the fuel is significantly better for the environment than a regular diesel or biodiesel. Great cold weather vehicle performance due to the higher cetane number which is up to 90 and a low cloud point gives a better starting performance, less chance of any waxing in extreme temperatures and a clean combustion. Manufactured from waste fats and vegetable oils makes Clean Air HVO renewable and sustainable. High flashpoint meaning it is safer for storage and handling compared to regular diesel. As a replacement for regular diesel and gas oil a wide variety of OEM approvals means the fuel can be used without requiring any vehicle modifications meeting EN15940 standards required for paraffinic fuels. (On their websites, Scania, Volvo, Iveco, DAF, MAN, John Deere and Caterpillar all approve the use of HVO) Clean Air HVO Renewable Diesel/Gas Oil will also result in improved air quality as it reduces any notifiable particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions.

He added: “For customers wanting to put HVO to the test, we can supply a bunded tank on their premises, enabling them to trial this alternative fuel in their vehicle, plant and machinery fleets.” So, what exactly is HVO? For those not familiar with this increasingly popular fuel alternative, the clue is in its description. HVO stands for ‘hydrotreated vegetable oil,’ which is manufactured from sustainable raw materials that do not impact adversely on the environment; indeed as a clean air renewable fuel, HVO can reduce up to 90% of your net CO2 emissions. It can also help to tackle another pressing issue, says Rod. “The continuing issue surrounding semiconductor chips has meant that truck manufacturers’ lead times are stretching into 2023, so those HGV operators looking for alternative fuel powered vehicles such as CNG or electric to reduce their carbon footprint will have to wait much longer to put their carbon reduction plans into action. “On the other hand, by switching to HVO your trucks can be up and running within a week – and without any changes to the vehicle’s filters or engines. Essentially, you can just drain your diesel tank, fill up with HVO and off you go, no matter the size of your truck’s power unit.” HVO can be ordered in bulk from Nicholl Oils and will become available as demand increases at its network of Nicholl Auto 365 Forecourts. FUEL CARDS

The company’s Local Account fuel card can be used across that network; it is ideal for businesses with a mobile workforce. The cards are safer than cash, both for companies and individual drivers, and more efficient than credit cards. They can also provide businesses with valuable savings through detailed reporting on fuel spend and usage. Businesses can then use this information to identify areas of inefficiency within the fleet. Meanwhile, for those businesses operating throughout the UK, the company’s Fleet Diesel card is a more appropriate alternative. It can be used at 285 sites in Northern Ireland and a further 1,100 sites throughout the rest of the UK. For further information, Rod Hawkins can be contacted on 07760616329 or email: rod.hawkins@nicholloils.com