Uniting the liquid fuel industry in person for the first time in three years, the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) EXPO 2022 and Future Fuels Conference at Liverpool Exhibition was a huge success with a packed exhibition hall and over 1,200 people attending the two-day event.
UKIFDA EXPO 2022, sponsored by Phillips 66, welcomed back liquid fuel distributors, bio-energy companies, refineries, tank, pump and fuel-related organisations as well as commercial support services including software and insurance businesses.
Commenting on the event, UKIFDA CEO, Ken Cronin, said: “It was great seeing everyone together in one space once again. Our ‘Back for the Future’ theme was spot on for the occasion and we’ve had some fantastic feedback already.”
He adds: “There is definitely still a place for live, in-person events like this where industry colleagues and suppliers are able to share latest innovations and thought leadership – it felt there was a real ground swell of change, especially when it comes to driving the future of the liquid fuels industry forward.”
The ‘Back for the Future’ themed exhibition had four forums.
The ‘Exhibition’ hosted a packed hall with some exhibitors reporting record numbers of visitors to stands with good quality leads to capitalise on.
Also well attended was the ‘Future Fuels Conference’, held in the EXPO Conference Theatre, sponsored by Crown Oil. A total of 18 industry-leading speakers took to the stage hosting a wide range of seminars across the two days. There was particular interest in the UKIFDA and OFTEC Demonstration Project roundtable discussion as well as how the future fuels landscape is shaping up, especially in terms of government policy and pricing mechanisms.”
The EXPO App delivered outstanding engagement with encouraging levels of activity across the community board, image sharing and messaging with many meet-ups arranged. The App will remain open for one month so everyone can continue to use it for networking and information purposes.
One of the real highlights was the EXPO 2022 Reunion Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held on the Wednesday evening, which celebrated the industry’s innovation and talent.
Attendees were treated to a guest speaker for the night, the enlightening Conor O’Shea who is currently the Director of Performance Rugby for the RFU – he certainly got everyone thinking differently.
The winners of the awards were:
Driver of the Year 2022 (sponsored by OAMPS)
Winner: David Willcox – WP Group
David has consistently demonstrated a willingness to go the extra mile to ensure that the business maintains high customer service standards. He has supported a number of new drivers, helping them to settle in and continues to be there for them with advice and encouragement – he has been described as the epitome of a driver – someone any transport company would want in their business.
Runners up:
Chris Donaldson – Oilfast
Krzysztof Malik – Certas Energy
Green Award 2022 (sponsored by Oilshield)
Winner: Oil 4 Wales
Judges were impressed by the way Oil 4 Wales has sought to expand its distribution business into other areas including looking at producing hydrogen through a network of community-based facilities in Wales with the possibility of also producing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil.
Runner-up:
Fuel Additive Science Technologies
Innovation Award 2022 (sponsored by Fuel Oil News)
Winner: Eliminox
The results of the company’s innovative fuel conditioner, which reduces greenhouse gases from polluting vehicles, is what impressed judges. Recent tests with HVO concluded a further reduction of 22% of the particulate matter!
MechTronic
FoxInsights
Young Person of the Year 2022 (sponsored by UKIFDA and presented by guest speaker, Conor O’Shea)
Winner: Hannah Ward – Certas Energy
Hannah, who started as an apprentice, works in customer relations. Her manager said: “Hannah has been dedicated in helping the most vulnerable and elderly customers. Often working outside of her working hours to ensure these customers receive their fuel and that customers receive their fuel despite busy periods. She is someone who remains calm and handles pressure like a true professional.”
Runners-up:
Ben Ellins – Watson Fuels
Flynn Abbot – Allan Stobart Lubricants & Fuels.
Depot of the Year 2022 (sponsored by Pen Underwriting)
Winner: Barton Petroleum – Leicester Depot
Driving the standard of safety forward for distributor depots, this award is decided by UKIFDA’s Tony Brown who audits the depots. Even closer than normal, Tony said: “Barton Petroleum in Leicester is a testament to the culture and work ethic of an individual depot, being proactive with evidence throughout the audit process, setting the highest standard when it comes to Health and Safety, Operational Procedures, Environment and Transport along with continued improvements and action of any feedback given. Well done to all those involved at this depot.”
NWF Fuels – Lincolnshire Fuel Depot
Certas Energy – Holton Heath Depot
UKIFDA Membership and Events Manager, Dawn Shakespeare, said: “Congratulations to all our 2022 Awards winners and a huge thank you to all the delegates, exhibitors and speakers for making it such an informative few days. Thank you also to this year’s overall event sponsor – P66, to Crown Oil for their sponsorship of the conference, to S & P Global Commodity Insights for sponsoring the reception and to Aon, for the dinner. Many thanks also to AMCS, Reynolds and Commercial Fuel Solutions for your sponsorship. We very much appreciate your support.”
The closing of the event saw outgoing UKIFDA President, Janet Kettlewell (Kettlewell Fuels) handover to the new President Rory Clarke, managing director of J.R. Rix & Sons Ltd.
For more information about the 2022 UKIFDA EXPO and Future Fuels conference, please contact Dawn Shakespeare at ds@ukifda.org.
4th May 2022
