The Bulletin - June 2026

June 2026

Delegates on a 4 day APEA training course in Belgrade covering construction, audit and risk assessment.

The Bulletin MAGAZINE

The Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration

Welcome

Chris Ramshaw APEA Chairman

Welcome to the Summer edition of the Bulletin. It has been an eventful few months for the industry, with ongoing conflict in the Middle East continuing to create uncertainty in the fuel market – leading to significant cost increases and disruptions for many of us.

APEA continues to offer technical support to the industry through its Technical Committee and reference documents. There are many training courses available in the coming months, open to both members and non-members, offering the opportunity to learn new skills or maintain existing ones.

May saw the UNITI event take place in Stuttgart – a huge international exhibition where suppliers from across the world come together to showcase their products and services. Walking the floor, it was clear that this industry never stops innovating. Highlights ranged from retrofit repair solutions for leaking underground chambers to AI-driven platforms using advanced algorithms to help operators stay ahead of the competition.

As we move into the second half of the year, we look forward to the APEA Live event and the National Council AGM. The AGM is the opportunity for members to get involved in shaping the association by joining the National Council. Any member

APEA Business Manager

(contact for all APEA Business and Bulletin advertising, and design)

Christine Joyce

Peershaws, Berewyk Hall Court, White Colne, Essex CO6 2QB

Tel : +44 (0) 345 603 5507

Email: admin@apea.org.uk

of the association can take part – individual members can be nominated as council members, while those under a corporate membership can become branch representatives on council for their local branch. Local branches are the lifeblood of the association and we are always looking for people to get involved. Look out for nomination forms in the Bulleting in September or online at www.apea.org.uk.

We are especially keen to hear from members in the Midlands, North West, and North East. Getting involved requires only an hour or two each month, helping to organise one or two local events a year – with full support provided by the National Council and other branches. If you’d like to find out more, please reach out to our admin team who will be happy to help. As always, any questions about membership or the association can be directed to admin@apea.org.uk.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer and look forward to catching up in September.

Editor

Brian Humm

Mobile: +44 (0) 7507 478533

email: b.humm@outlook.com

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Editor’s Report

Brian Humm Editor

Hello and welcome to the new edition of the bulletin, as usual I hope you enjoy the articles and news items that we have managed to garner for your entertainment and interest, as I normally remark in my introduction, it is becoming increasingly hard to get copy to fill the bulletin, to that end, my usual plea for members to consider sending anything of interest over, we have a few people currently sending stuff, shout out to Andy King, but I have decided that going forward I would like to invite members to think of any subject of a technical nature that they might like to have more information on – maybe above ground tanks, pipework, dispensers -, tank lining, the list is endless, if you would like to know more technically about anything in our industry then we have a very knowledgeable technical committee chomping at the bit to answer you queries, I’m looking forward to seeing your questions.

I was extremely fortunate to contribute to an APEA training course, along with Jamie Thompson, to give some audit and risk assessment training to EKO petroleum in Serbia, part of the Hellenic petroleum company, the training was well received and I would like to thank the wonderful delegates and the EKO hierarchy for their hospitality and warm welcome during our stay, it was a hard four days but extremely enjoyable, there is a report on the course later on in this edition.

APEA live is creeping up upon us once again, I know it is early, but time certainly seems to fly these days, have you considered attending? It certainly is a great place to network and look at the newest equipment available, also the conference is superb, with usually topics for the engineering/safety section of the industry and also great insights into the operators business and potential issues that they face in the day to day running of the filling station, also, the regulators out there will be interested as the event gives CPD which is a must in every enforcers authority to ensure competence, finally the dinner, best get in early, it was completely sold out last year so get in early and it will be great to see you there.

I’m just going to throw something out there, in my current role, as a fire risk assessor I have to be registered as competent on either the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) of the Institute of fire safety managers (IFSM) register of assessors – this ensures that a risk assessor has the appropriate experience, expertise and qualifications to carry out a fire risk assessment, I have had a few conversations with APEA colleagues to see if we, as an association could approach PELG to see if this could become something that could be put in place, a register scheme for individuals that carry out DSEAR risk assessments on petrol forecourts or a scheme for DSEAR assessments overall, then the assessor could highlight expertise in certain areas, this I believe would benefit the industry greatly, perhaps I could have your opinions, I would love to hear from risk assessors out there to see if they agree with my thoughts.

Well lastly I would like to thank the APEA admin team, Christine, Helen and Natalie for their help and support in getting this publication out to the members, they may still be relatively new to this but they are doing a sterling job.

Until next time…

We are always in need of content for our Bulletin - articles, news, photos and anything that you think might be interesting for members to know. So please consider submitting something for inclusion. Email: b.humm@outlook.com

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Submit your news and articles for publication

We are always looking for news, press releases, articles, and photographs to feature in The Bulletin. If you have information, achievements, projects, or stories that would be of interest to our readers, we would love to hear from you.

Please email your content to admin@apea.org.uk, and it will be forwarded to our Editor, Brian Humm, for consideration. If you have any interesting photographs, please include them as they may be suitable for publication or even consideration for the front cover.

As an added benefit, Bulletin advertisers can submit multiple press releases and articles free of charge. If this is of interest to you, please see the advertising information on page 12.

The Bulletin – 2026 Advertising Bookings are now being accepted for advertising in the 2026 editions of The Bulletin.

All current advertisers have been invited to renew their advertising placements. To secure the best position for your advertisement, please contact us as soon as possible, as spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

All advertising artwork must be submitted by 3 August. Further details on advertising opportunities can be found on page 12.

2027 Yearbook

Work on the 2027 Yearbook has already started.

Information on how to be included can be found on page 16.

To ensure your details are accurate, please check that your postal and email addresses are up to date by logging into your membership account.

Members can update their Yearbook profile at any time throughout the year, allowing them to keep their information current and accurate.

Through the members’ area, you can:

• Update your Yearbook entry

• View and download publications and resources

If you would like advertise in our Yearbook which goes out to all UK APEA members, please contact admin@apea.org.uk, submissions for advertising in the 2027 Yearbook will close on the 13 July.

APEA Live 2026

The biggest event in our industry is happening on the 12 November 2026 at the Area MK, don’t miss out, register now! Entrance is FREE but registration is essential. Pease visit www.apealive.co.uk where you will be able to find all the information about registering, nominations and purchasing evening tickets. You will be able to make your nominations for the APEA Awards 2026 until the 11 September.

Further information on this fantastic event can be found on page 34.

Website support, technical queries and feedback

The quickest and most effective way to contact us is by completing the online contact form. Whether you need assistance with purchasing publications or training courses, have a technical query, require help using your membership account, or wish to report a website issue, we are here to help.

Visit the Contact page, complete your details, and select the appropriate subject from the drop-down menu. Your enquiry will then be directed to the most suitable member of the team.

We are also happy to speak with members directly, so please do not hesitate to call if you would prefer to discuss your query by phone.

Training Courses

All APEA training courses can be viewed and booked online through the APEA website.

If you are interested in arranging a bespoke training course tailored to your organisation’s requirements, please contact Michael O’Connell, Chairman of the Training Committee, at michaelp.oconnell@dublincity.ie.

Online Training Courses

A range of online training courses is also available. Full details can be found on the Training section of the website or through the online learning portal.

Welcome to our new members

We are delighted to welcome 69 new members who joined APEA between March and May. Details can be found on page 14.

General Assistance

If you require assistance with any general, membership, or technical matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Email: admin@apea.org.uk

Telephone: 0345 603 5507

We are always happy to help and look forward to hearing from you.

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Publications Information

Electric Vehicle Charging Installations at Filling Stations

ISBN 978-1-83724-218-4 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-83724-219-1 (electronic)

Book” (Revised 2024)

ISBN 978 1 78725 449 7

Price for hard copy

APEA Member rate - £75.00

Non APEA Member rate - £150.00

Price for pdf version

Please note the pdf version is licensed to the purchaser only and cannot be shared or printed.

APEA Member rate - £75.00

Non APEA Member rate - £150.00

With the publication of the IET 5th Edition of the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (2023), and the 5th Edition of the APEA/EI “Blue Book” (2024) there have been various further technical developments to help clarify the safety issues that needed to be addressed in this area.

The Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA), which represents the major stakeholders in this sector, has again collaborated with the IET in issuing this updated 2nd Edition and joint publication to help provide important updated guidance.

This 2nd Edition supplementary document to The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Code of Practice (COP) for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, 5th Edition, addresses those unique issues that will be encountered on UK filling stations. not only for safe use by the public of the EV charging equipment, termed electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), and for the persons that work on the filling station, as

Price for hard copy

APEA Member rate - £32.50

Non APEA Member rate - £50.00

Price for pdf version

Please note the pdf version is licensed to the purchaser only and cannot be shared or printed.

APEA Member rate - £32.50

Non APEA Member rate - pdf £50.00

The APEA also publishes the Code of Practice for Ground floor, multi storey and underground car parks

This can be downloaded directly from the APEA website and is available to members at £11.00 and £21.00 to non APEA members.

well as the continued safe storage and dispensing of existing vehicle fuels found on the filling station.

This Supplement has been produced jointly by the IET and the APEA. Considerable technical input has also been provided by the major filling station operators, along with other industry stakeholders in the UK, including the Health and Safety Executive. All the “Blue Book” electrical stakeholders were also approached for comment.

This 2nd edition supplement will exist and be available until the APEA/EI “Blue Book” or the (IET) Code of Practice (COP) for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, 5th Edition are next revised and its contents will then be reviewed.

The APEA would certainly encourage all site duty-holders to ensure that those companies and contractors, especially electrical contractors, they consider employing to install EVSE on their filling station ensure that the technical details in this supplementary COP are followed.

If you wish to purchase any of these publications, please go to the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk and click on the “Publications” page. You can select to pay by credit/debit card.

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About The Bulletin and how you can submit copy to be included

• The Bulletin is published four times a year with a print run of 2200

• Free issue to APEA members (over 800 members worldwide)

• Has international distribution and readership

• Respected source of industry specific news and information

• Contains relevant articles, news items, press releases and reports from UK and overseas

• Individual, Fellow and Retired members receive one copy each and Corporate members receive 5 copies each per quarter

The editor of The Bulletin, Brian Humm, is always on the look out for new material, so if you have something you want to be included, please email it to the APEA office at admin@apea.org. uk and it will be forwarded to Brian for approval.

Please email the text in Word format and any images as separate high resolution pdf or jpeg files to admin@apea.org.uk.

We are always pleased to receive contributions from our members and it ensures that The Bulletin remains an interesting and informative read.

Priority is given for press releases and articles submitted by Bulletin advertisers to be included.

Bulletin Advertising

If you would like to book advertising in The Bulletin, please email your requirements to admin@apea.org.uk or call the office on 0345 603 5507. Please ensure you send your artwork to admin@apea.org.uk.

Priority is given for press releases and articles submitted by Bulletin advertisers to be included.

Discounts are available for booking in more than one issue, please contact Christine Joyce at admin@apea.org.uk for more information.

to all members

Deadline dates for copy and advertising artwork 2026/2027

2026

Please note the deadline date for the December 2026 issue is early due to Christmas and New Year holidays.

Bulletin advertisers that book in 3 or more issues in one year also receive a 50% discount off rates for advertising in the annual Yearbook, see table below.

• Over 40 years experience in the industry

• Over 40 years experience in the industry

• Bespoke distribution design & installation

• Bespoke distribution design & installation

• Fire alarm installation

• Fire alarm installation

• Lighting design and installation

• Lighting design and installation

• CompEx /UKPIA Trained Engineers

• CompEx /UKPIA Trained Engineers

• Nationwide coverage

• Nationwide coverage

• Revit/BIM

• Electric Vehicle Charging

• Electric Vehicle Charging

• Hydrogen filling stations

• Hydrogen filling stations

• Hazardous area test and inspection

• Hazardous area test and inspection

• NICEIC Hazardous area accredited electrical contractor

• NICEIC Hazardous area accredited electrical contractor

• Thermal imagery

• Thermal imagery

• Cat 5&6 Data installer

• Cat 5&6 Data installer

• Revit/BIM Tel. 01487 711811 | www.teramm.com | info@teramm.com

T.E. Ramm & Co

T.E. Ramm & Co

Electrical contractors Hazeldene, 27 Bury Road, Ramsey, PE26 1NE

Electrical contractors Hazeldene, 27 Bury Road, Ramsey, PE26 1NE

Tel. 01487 711811 | www.teramm.com | info@teramm.com

New Members

March - May

Welcome to our new members

We are delighted to welcome our new members to the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA).

Founded in 1958, the APEA brings together professionals from all areas of the petroleum industry, including regulators, oil companies, equipment suppliers, contractors, and training bodies. What makes us unique is our ability to represent all

Corporate members

Sam Hughes Broham Forecourt Developments Ltd

Georgia Bennett Geberit Sales Ltd

Julie Thomson South Ayrshire Council

Mark Young Alphaeco

Darren Slade NG Bailey Group

Wesley Keough JTandW Limited

Martin Devine Fueltek

Tim Dowding East Sussex County CouncilTrading Standards

sides of the industry and provide a trusted forum for discussion, collaboration, and the development of technical guidance.

Today, with over 800 members worldwide and a strong branch network across the UK, the APEA continues to grow. We look forward to your involvement in this thriving community.

Andy Hesketh Signclad Ltd

Nikki Foley

Artelia Projects UK Limited

Warren Peters STA Technical

Clare McClaren Welcome Break

Gary Carter Trade Signs And Lighting Maintenance Limited

Giorgos Lampros EMECO

Ian Hodge Valient Solutions

Rene Willemsen TSG UK Solutions LTD

Trevor Wallace Westfield Services (UK) Ltd

Tom Training in Hong Kong.

Rob Terry Centre Tank Services Ltd

Steve Williams

Steve Williams Construction West Midlands Ltd

Thomas Lewis Countrywide Construction Management Ltd

Waleed Malik Easefix ltd

Alex Lis Foxman Solutions Limited

Balbir Bassi Building Innovations (UK) Ltd

Individual members

Cameron Milburn Tate Oil

Gregory Shingles Arcus FM Ltd

Vernon Hunt ATA Design Ltd

Simon Thomson Arcus FM Ltd

Catia Freitas Trading Standards

Donna Perry Trading Standards

Simon Lanyon Sir Charles Frossard House

Thomas Law

Thomas Law Engineering Services Ltd

John Paul Lucey Lucey Electrical Services Ltd

Gregory Hockman Hockman-Lewis Limited

David Groom

Elec-Tech Electrical Services Ltd

Dawn Adamson Fife Council

James Clements TCS UK Ltd

Kaleem Khalil

Beekay Electrical Ltd

Gerard Loughlin Loughlin Contracts and Plant Hire

Lee Pollock

Glasgow City Council

James Routledge Acrion Consulting

David Honeyman PEIMF+

Paul Preston FuelQuip Ltd

Russell Davidson West Berkshire Council

Jason Gargiulo Age Electrical Services Ltd

Niki Rodhouse PEIMF+

Lindsay McNeil Falkirk Council Trading Standards

Mark Underdown Greenergy

Ian Christie Aberdeen City Trading Standards

Nathan Murrin n/a

Alan Pollock Maxol Oil Ltd

Peter Lee Williams Atex Audit

Ben Addison

Ben Addison ltd

Matt Murphy Sewell on the go

Joanne Love

Shield Mechanical Electrical and Facilities Services

Jonathan Heasley Premier Energy Storage Ltd

Paul Barber Sainsburys

Colin Mackenzie MacKenzie Architects

David Duckworth Scurr Architects

Sunil Natesan Rumco Group W.L.L

Thomas Martindale-Sheldon HDPM

Chris Reid Motor Fuel Group

Michael Panejko Defence Equipment and Support

Andrew Canning Oak House

Emma Hardiman

Baseline HSE Training and Consultancy

Andrew King East Lothian Council

Jacqueline Harrison CNG Fuels

Paul Walsh Paul Walsh

Bradley Rhodes JHA Pulmann

Chris Drumm Qualis Partners

2027 APEA Yearbook/Online Directory

How to complete your free entry

Deadline 13th July

In order to ensure that your details are included in the 2027 Yearbook and on the APEA website in the ‘Directory’ section it is essential that you complete your online entry by 13th July. Even if you do not wish to advertise in the Yearbook, to have your contact details and industry sector information included you should complete your entry as detailed below.

Please note I will be contacting enforcing authorities separately to update these details. If you are from an authority please do not complete the instructions below.

1. To start your entry go the APEA website home page at www.apea.org.uk

2. Log on to your membership record and go to ‘My Account’ and then click on ‘Yearbook’ on the left hand side.

If you have never completed an entry you will see figure 1 (opposite). If you completed an entry for the 2026 you will see figure 2 (opposite) which you amend.

3. Create or update your contact details and select the Industry Sector or Industry Sectors that you wish to be listed under.

4. When completed you will see figure 3 (see page 45) and receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive the email the entry has not been completed.

Each member is entitled to one FREE entry in the Petroleum Company Contacts section and one FREE Industry Sector per entry in the Yearbook, (see images above).

Additional Industry Sectors and Trade names are charged at £30 each. Your invoice and receipt will be emailed to you once your entry is complete and uploaded to your account on the website.

What you will see when you go to ‘My Account’

Figure 1

For members that have never created a Yearbook entry the website will display the information, right, when you click on ‘Yearbook’.

Figure 2

For members that have created an entry for the previous issue, the website will display the information, right, when you click on ‘Yearbook’.

Figure 3

Once the entry is complete you will see this page and you will received a confirmation email.

CP Insta lla tions (Southern ) L td Unit 25 Brook Rd Industry Centre Brook Rd In d Est Rayleigh Essex SS6 7XL

Articles

A look back at Petrol Station Marketing 60 years on

Jamie Thompson, Chair Technical Committee

In May 1966, I joined this Association as a young petroleum inspector at the Greater London Council, and my first meeting was in the Southern Branch at Godalming, where the Secretary was the Chief Weights and Measures Inspector, Cyril Peacock. I found that talks and presentations by members assisted my education and understanding of this industry as a petroleum inspector.

Much of the discussion then was about self-service, how safe it was, and the concerns many officers had about public safety and what safeguards were needed. In those days, there were also what were known as Associate Members, who were, in fact, members of industry who did not at that time have a vote but were keen to be involved in what was a developing industry.

The ideas that petrol marketers produced often challenged petroleum regulators, and that is what, in many ways, encouraged people to join this association. If we look back at that time in fuel retailing, there were around 50,000 petrol stations in the UK, although not all of these were retail filling stations, as many organisations and firms had their own storage tanks.

There were around 1,600 Petroleum Licensing Authorities at that time and, long before the HSE was formed, guidance was issued by the Home Office, the department responsible for the Petroleum Acts.

In London, there were 32 Petroleum Inspectors dealing with around 4,000 petrol stations. At that time, we also dealt with flammable liquid stores (petroleum mixtures), calcium carbide storage, and licensed car parks.

In the last issue, we published an article about one of the first self-service petrol stations in the 1960s, and it brought back a few memories for some of our older readers.

It was during this period that self-service took off, as entrepreneurs started to build these stations, and it was only after this success that the major oil companies followed.

One of the first self-service filling stations I was involved with as an inspector in 1966 was in Harlesden, North London, where a young Gerald Ronson of Heron built a self-service station in Dudden Hill Lane. He is, of course, now Sir Gerald Ronson and has had a long and successful career in this industry.

There was keen competition to sell fuel, and different entrepreneurs would try and beat their competitors with promotions to get customers to come to their sites, just as it is today.

Not all could justify the installation of self-service equipment and had to compete in other ways.

There was one company, EP (European Petroleum), which decided in the “Swinging Sixties” to employ young ladies in swimming costumes to boost sales and attract customers to their sites, something that would be very unlikely to happen today.

UNITI expo 2026 Sets New Benchmarks

Europe’s leading trade fair for the service station and car wash industries has cemented its role as the sector’s premier innovation platform and international hub.

After three successful show days, UNITI expo 2026 closes its doors with record numbers across the board. Spread across 45,000 m² for the first time, 604 exhibitors from some 43 countries presented their innovations, products and technologies to over 20,500 attendees who had travelled to Stuttgart from 114 countries.

The numbers demonstrate that UNITI expo continues to grow in significance despite the challenges the market currently faces.

On 19 – 21 May 2026, the event brought together industry leaders and decision-makers from the service station and car wash industries from around the world under one roof, further cementing its position as Europe’s leading trade fair and a top-tier international event. “Just as impressive as the record numbers was the dynamic atmosphere across all the halls. You could feel immediately that an entire industry was setting new standards together. The energy throughout was simply fantastic,” says Elmar Kühn, Managing Director of UNITI Services GmbH and organiser of the trade fair.

Elmar Kühn Ben Boroewitsch

A platform for innovation, exchange and networking

All four themed areas – Technology; payment & logistics; Car wash & car care; Oil companies & fuel retailers; and Shop & convenience – were buzzing with activity across all three show days. Decision-makers, innovation leaders and industry experts made full use of the unique opportunity to connect and exchange ideas.

One of the strongest draws was the Future Mobility Lounge on the gallery of Hall 1, where around 50 exhibitors presented the latest innovations and technologies in alternative fuels.

“The decision to double the exhibition space to 2,000 m² proved exactly right,” says Ben Boroewitsch, CEO of com-a-tec GmbH and co-organiser of the trade fair. “The Future Mobility Lounge also featured a dialogue forum for the first time, perfectly complementing the three established forums. With more than 80 expert presentations and over 2,800 attendees, we have set new records on the conference programme side as well.”

Enthusiastic reactions and anticipation for 2028

For visitors, exhibitors and organisers alike, this record edition of the trade fair was an absolute success, one that UNITI expo owes in no small part to its strong network of partners. More than 100 association, media, event and cooperation partners delivered an unmatched concentration of innovation that is second to none, not just in Europe.

For those who were unable to make it to Stuttgart this year, a highlights video offers the chance to soak up the exceptional atmosphere, while everyone who attended in person can relive three compelling show days.

“We were absolutely delighted to welcome all the key players in the industry to UNITI expo, and we very much hope to see them all again in 2028,” says Elmar Kühn. “Our excitement about planning the seventh edition is already building.”

The next UNITI expo will take place on 16 – 18 May 2028. The latest information is available at www.uniti-expo.com.

The Future Mobility Lounge

Note Acceptor Petrol Pump

Geoffrey Mayhew, Public Relations Officer for the BP Retail Division, writes on plans for self-help marketing

The next few years will see motorists applying the do-it -yourself technique when calling at filling stations for petrol and oil. Self-service at the filling stations is beginning to emerge as a sophisticated, attractive development which can offer many advantages to the motorist. BP is in the forefront with three important experiments.

The most fascinating of these is the note-acceptor –machine which pockets the motorist’s £1 note and dispenses £1 ‘s worth of petrol. It is a flexible machine, too, If the motorist does not want that much fuel the machine will give ten shillings worth and four half-crowns in change. A receipt is always included.

The BP Retail Market Division of Shell-Mex and BP plans to introduce this unique machine for petrol retailing to the United Kingdom m 1966 and a company site in Watford has been ear marked for the experiment. It will be the. first of its kind ever carried out in this country.

A similar machine is in operation in Sweden but apart from that they are none known anywhere in the world for use in petrol retailing.

Already, before the site for the experiment has been built, the BP note-acceptor machine has caught the public imagination as a forward-looking move to keep abreast of the increasing pressure of demand from a large number of motorists.

This historic article appeared in The Bulletin in April 1966 some 60 years ago when the oil company marketing departments were trying to change the conception of refuelling and demonstrates the concerns and the fact they had to convince the regulators that this was safe to do so.

Jamie Thompson Chair APEA Technical Committee

BP self-service experiments began in the United Kingdom in March, 1965. The marketers had been appraising for some time pointers which indicated a growing public interest in self-service as a straight service and not simply as a reduced or second-class method of attending to customers. Remarks made to dealers by customers, remarks made by dealers, letters from motorists about self-service they had experienced abroad and, of course, the statistics relating to peak-hour filling station traffic of the future produced an interesting picture for those whose business life is the promotion of service for motorists.

The experience gained by BP marketing companies in other countries in self-service fitted like a well-cut dove-tail into the attitude which was now discerned in the United Kingdom market. In Western Germany, BP has 2,000 pumps on coinoperated sites which are unattended at night. During the day the pumps are operated conventionally.

These have become extremely popular with long distance as well as neighbourhood motorists. The service works easily and is a business getter, particularly at night when, but for the automatically-operated, self-service pumps, it would not be economic to keep stations open.

In Stockholm, a capital whose high standard of living is renowned, fifty per cent of filling stations are now self-service.

The result of this perception of a new market, on the one hand, and the availability of marketing experience, on the other, led to one of the most interesting experiments in marketing carried out by Shell-Mex and BP.

At Knighton, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, the BP self-service experimental station was opened in March last year. This is an experiment on the principle of post-payment self-service, whereas the note-acceptor experiment planned for 1966 will be pre-payment self-service.

The Knighton station is a spacious, well-designed site where the pumps are under cover and alongside a self-service shop supplying many types of accessories which are placed on super-market-type shelves. Signs invite the passing motorist to drive in and serve himself and then pay a woman cashier for his purchases at the kiosk which is part of the shop.

The pumps beside which the motorist parks his car are standard Wayne pumps. The motorist takes the hose, inserts it into his car’s tank and delivers as many gallons as he wishes. While the petrol flows the gallons and also the price is shown in the normal way on the pump head.

A repeater device in the kiosk tells the cashier how much petrol the motorist is taking and what the price is. So, when the motorist comes to the kiosk window his bill is waiting for him. Should the motorist need oil he helps himself to a tin on the forecourt and pours its contents into his car’s sump.

During the coming year this form of motor oil self-service is to be improved. In future the motorist wishing to buy motor oil will be invited to push a button and ring up the cashier on an inter-corn which is built into the pump. He will say Visco-Static on the broadcast. The attendant will then press a switch which will release from a stand a can containing the right amount of oil of his choice.

Self-service car washing at 2 shillings a do-it-yourself Vacumobile for the interior of the car at 6d. and a self-service paraffin dispenser which delivers in two-shilling amounts are also available at Knighton. And if the motorist wants a hot drink or a snack or confectionery there is a vending bank beside which he may park his car while making his purchase. Prices range from one shilling to two shillings for confectionery and snacks. Cigarette machines are also installed.

This self-service site is open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. seven days a week and one of a staff of three is on duty all the time. They are alert to provide service to the motorist, although the emphasis remains on self-service and the effect of self-service. How are these effects assessed ?

In a number of ways, because the marketers want every useful scrap of information they can get about how self-service goes. They know that this method of dealing with customers is still in its early days and that there is much to learn. They assess the volume of business, of course, and compare it with the flow of

business at similar sites of a conventional kind elsewhere in the country. They also like to know exactly what the customer thinks about the self-service station. At certain intervals motorists calling at Knighton are interviewed on the forecourt by research experts who find their job made pleasant as well as easy by the fact that the motorists appear to enjoy taking part in this exercise.

Questions such as: “Why have you come here?” “Do you mind serving yourself?” “Why do you like-or not like-serving yourself?” “Are the instructions easy to understand?” “Would you come again ? “ are put to the motorists.

The sale of every type of merchandise at the station is watched, as well as the use made of the forecourt area, the placing of signs and their effect and the access of the shop to the customer. A great deal has been learned in the few months since the site went into business.

Now plans are in hand to develop a second site of the Knighton kind in Northern England during 1966.

Knighton station is in a residential neighbourhood. The one in Northern England will be in a more industrial area.

Useful comparisons will be possible.

At Elmbridge, near Bognor, a BP dealer, Mr. J. T. Cate, is carrying out an experiment using the Wayne coin operated self-service pump. Last spring an ordinary type of pump which had one particular difference was installed.

It was fitted with a machine which would convert the pump into an automatic one by the simple process of turning a small key. During the day Mr. Cate’s attendants serve the passing trade from this pump in the conventional way.

But at night, at the time when the station used to close, Mr. Cate turns the key and the pump then becomes available for automatic self-service by any motorist. He obtained permission from Chichester Rural District Council to leave his station unattended during this self-service period of the night. Motorists see that the filling station’s lights are still on and if they want petrol they drive in and read the instructions on the automatic pump.

They are asked to put in two half-crowns at a time in order to serve themselves with five shillings worth of petrol. Many do this.

Mr. Cate has done a reasonable business with this device since he installed it as an experiment. All the business is new business but without the coin-operated pump he would not have been able to justify emergency service of this kind.

His experience high-lights one field in which self-service will probably spread rapidly. Each year the roads take more and more traffic at night, a development which 1s particularly noticeable during holiday periods. Night traffic is encouraged by the road organisations and, in holiday times, also by the police. The percentage of filling stations which remain open at night to serve this traffic is, however, comparatively low. There is not enough business, and in many areas, there is the added difficulty of finding the extra staff to man the station even to test the night business.

Clearly the coin-operated and the note-acceptor machines could help to provide an emergency service where none would otherwise be possible. Another field for their development is undoubtedly that of the peak hour filling station traffic, when, despite all hands being to the pumps, the dealer cannot cope with the traffic as fast as he wishes and as a result loses trade. The use of an automatic pump, which could also be operated at night, would, in these periods, probably be a considerable asset.

Will a note-acceptor machine be more popular than the coinoperated pump ? The arguments are easy to imagine. The motorist is more likely to have a £1 note than a pocket full of half crowns. But is it not likely that the note acceptor would be suitable for one type of trade in one particular area, whereas the coin-operated machine would be more suitable in another district, possibly even an adjoining district ? It is only through experiments that the answers to such questions can be found.

The BP note-acceptor site which it is hoped to operate at Watford in 1966 will be watched with interest by all in the oil industry and motor trade. No doubt the customer himself will find participation in the experiment an interesting matter.

Driving into the forecourt he will see six pumps on two circular, covered islands. One will have three one-pound pumps and the other will have three ten-shilling pumps.

He will decide which island pump he prefers, put his car beside it and go to the note-acceptor machine. It is housed in a small cabinet and has a short push button key board.

The motorist has to push a button selecting the pump he wants. He will, for example, choose the button for one pound’s worth of BP Super Plus, or that for BP Super or the third for BP Regular. Similarly, he can order ten shillings worth.

He next puts his one-pound note into an open drawer which he pushes forward on a slot into the machine. The change appears in a metal cup just below his hand, together with the receipt. Collecting these, the motorist walks across to his car and fills

the tank, the note-acceptor machine having directed the right volume of fuel to his particular pump.

The coin-operated pump, the post-payment type of self-service and the note-acceptor machine are all tangible developments in better service for the motorist in the future.

Would you like to contribute to our next issue of The Bulletin?

We are always looking for contributions from our members so if you have something to share or think would be of interest to other APEA members, please contact us. It could be a story or photo of something interesting, new or unusual, a milestone for your company or an employee, we will consider absolutely anything so please help us.

Found in East Lothian

This pump was found in East Lothian by Andrew King and has sadly now been removed and is in pump heaven.

65 Years Ago… Report of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Explosives for the year ended 31st December 1961

As part of a series of looking back at the progress of this Association and industry I have reproduced a copy of a report published in the Bulletin of the concerns of the Government at that time. The government department responsible for the Petroleum and flammable liquid regulations at that time was The Home Office and an annual report was published each year detailing the accidents and concerns of that department.

This annual report assisted both regulators and Government departments to determine where the problems were occurring on service stations and provided us with a list of concerns where we should be concentrating our inspections and detailing accidents and prosecutions.

It would perhaps be useful if in this day and age if such a report could be considered and produced by the HSE expressing public safety concerns at petrol stations helping the industry and regulators to concentrate on those risks.

Jamie Thompson Chair APEA Technical Committee

Once again, this Report provides interesting reading to all concerned in the handling, storage and use of explosives and. Highly inflammable liquids.

The Report states that no new legislation was enacted during the year. Fifteen appeals were submitted. to the Secretary of State under Section 3 of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928. Of these, 4 were subsequently withdrawn, 2 were dismissed and in one conditions of licence were amended 8 appeals were unsettled at the end of the year.

During the year reports were received of twenty-one convictions under the Act compared with eleven in 1960. Those included,-

• Seven cases of keeping petroleum. spirit without a licence, resulting in fines up to £15.

• One case of permitting a child to serve petroleum spirit, resulting in a fine of £7.

• One case of conveyance in an unsuitable container resulting in a fine of £6.

• H.M. Inspectors ask that local authorities send them particulars in all cases of proceedings under the Act within the territories under their jurisdiction.

Particulars of petroleum spirit tank waggons approved under paragraph 6 (I) of Part 11 of the First Schedule to the Petroleum Spirit (Conveyance by Road) Regulations arc given in Appendix M. (In this connection, we would agree with Mr. J. Beer, who in presenting his paper “Petroleum Conveyance” at the school at Attingham and suggested that it would be of considerable value to Petroleum Officers, if the Home Office would issue detailed reports on the construction of such vehicles with appropriate drawings, rather on the lines of the notices of examination of weighing and measuring instruments that are sent to Weights and Measures Authorities by the Board of Trade.

Reports of 60 (6,) accidents in which petroleum spirit or petroleum mixtures were involved, caused the death of two people (fourteen) and injuries to 43 (47) persons. (Previous year’s figures in brackets) The Report says “Those accidents indicate that there continues to be insufficient appreciation of the hazards associated with the handling of highly inflammable liquids”.

Eleven accidents were associated with the draining of fuel from. the tanks of vehicles” Five of which were on licensed premises. They caused the death of one person and injuries to eleven others.

Five accidents occurred during the dispensing of petroleum spirit in which persons were splashed with petrol which was subsequently ignited and in some instances by lighting a cigarette shortly afterwards causing injury to five persons.

There were 16 other accidents at licensed premises, both filling stations and private storage, resulting in injury to 10 persons.

Nine accidents were associated with the use of petroleum spirit or mixture, causing injury to three persons.

Two accidents were reported in connection with the use of cutting torches to break up vehicles causing explosions which seriously injured persons.

Accidents are reported in detail and form a familiar pattern. Many could be described as resulting from sheer stupidity. Others from youthful exuberance even childish ignorance.

Dis-used storage tanks have often been the subject of discussion at Group Meeting’s. One accident was reported causing injury to one person. Promises previously licensed for storage of petroleum spirit had been sold and were redeveloped as an improved filling station. The previous owner had been instructed by the licensing authorities to make the disused tanks safe and the tanks had been emptied and locked. They were later tampered with and opened and 9 nine-year-old boy threw a lighted match into one of the tanks. An explosion followed, burning the boy about the hands and face, Subsequently the tanks were filled with concrete.

Part of the Report deals with Petroleum Gas accidents.

Whilst no accident duo to failure of a container was reported some 15 accidents involving the use of liquefied petroleum

gases wore notified. These caused the deaths of six persons and injury to eleven others.

Of the accidents reported, 3 occurred in cabin cruisers and 1 in a fishing vessel. In one of these, no firm conclusion could be drawn as to whether the origin of the accident lay in the liquefied petroleum gas used for cooking or in petroleum spirit used for propulsion, although the balance of evidence suggested the former.

Where it could be positively established the accident was traceable to faulty equipment releasing gas in a confined space which caused a fire or explosion from naked lights.

In the remainder of the cases, the accidents were caused by failure et the equipment (e.g. connecting pipes) or gas leakage at the valve either adventitious or when changing a cylinder.

H.M. Inspector’s consider that it would be helpful if makers of equipment and distributors of liquefied petroleum gas were to draw special attention to the danger’s consequent upon escape of gas, and encourage users to ensure at all times that the equipment is sound and in proper working order free from leaks. Accidents due to perished or leaking rubber or plastic type connections have been noted.

It is considered that unless there are essential reasons to the contrary only fixed pipe installations should be used.

Where flexible pipes must be used, they should be properly secured to the reducing valves and to the burning devices. Frequent inspections should be carried out to ensure freedom from defect.

This section of The Report concludes, ‘’We have noted with growing concern, the increase in the numbers of liquefied petroleum gas containers on sale to the general public and. cooking and. heating equipment to which they can be fitted. Some equipment sent to us by the manufacturers appears to be dangerous. We are of the opinion that both containers and equipment should now be brought under statutory control as well as bulk storage and conveyancing.

Four fuel loss scenarios – and how leading operators are stopping them

Chris Cooper, President, International at Titan Cloud

Fuel loss across retail fuel networks rarely comes from a single dramatic event. More often, it accumulates quietly through a mix of theft, manipulation, delivery discrepancies, and mechanical drift. Each issue may appear small in isolation, but across distributed fuel operations those incremental losses can quickly compound into significant financial impact.

That challenge is being amplified as fuel theft becomes more sophisticated and organized. Recently, in the U.S., authorities uncovered schemes in Florida where criminals used magnets to manipulate fuel pumps and dispense diesel without payment, causing significant losses for retailers. Incidents like these highlight how modern theft methods can bypass traditional controls and remain difficult to detect without continuous visibility into operations.

Through discussions with fuel retail operators and industry experts, clear patterns have emerged around where losses occur, how they are detected, and what changes when fuel variance is treated as a continuous operational priority rather than a periodic reconciliation exercise.

For one retailer, theft had become one of the largest contributors to overall fuel loss across many retail networks. After implementing targeted detection and mitigation strategies, operators were able to reduce losses significantly, bringing overall variance down to roughly 0.1% of total fuel volume.

That percentage may sound small, but in fuel retail operations even fractions of a percent carry real financial weight. A tenth of a percentage point improvement in fuel variance can translate into thousands of dollars in recovered value per location each year. Across large retail networks, those gains scale quickly, turning incremental improvements in detection and accountability into tens of millions of dollars in recovered fuel value annually. In an industry where fuel margins typically range between 3% and 5%, protecting even a small fraction of loss can have a meaningful impact on profitability.

The power of a 0.1% Improvement in fuel variance

SCALE OF OPERATIONS

Per Site

500 Locations

2,000 Locations

Large Enterprise Networks

Small improvements in fuel accountability compound quickly across distributed fuel networks. What follows are four of the most common fuel loss scenarios observed in fuel retail operations, including how they occur, how they are detected, and what ultimately makes the difference in preventing them.

1. Siphoning theft at the tank

One of the simplest theft methods is also one of the most direct. A van parks over the underground tank delivery inlet. A hose with a pump is inserted into the fill point, and product is extracted from the tank. There is no transaction at the POS. No visible sign of tampering at the dispenser. The only signal that something is wrong is that tank inventory drops without corresponding sales.

Detection depends on reconciling tank levels against recorded transactions. When the decline exceeds expected thresholds, a sudden loss alarm is triggered. In several cases, CCTV footage captured at regular intervals showed the vehicle lowering slightly as fuel was removed. That visual record was later used as evidence in police investigations.

2. Pulser manipulation

Pulser manipulation is more technical and often more organized. In these cases, an individual posing as a service technician intercepts the pulser wiring inside the dispenser and installs a concealed Bluetooth-activated device that reduces pulse output. The pump then reports dispensing only a fraction of the actual volume delivered. For example, 100 liters may be dispensed while only 60 liters are recorded and charged, with payment frequently made using gift cards to reduce traceability.

Initially, these incidents were identified during next-day reconciliation, when inventory losses did not align with recorded sales. The delay made it difficult to intervene in real time. To address this, certain regions implemented on-site analytics designed to flag unrealistic flow rates during extended

FINANCIAL IMPACT

$3,000 - $7,000 recovered annually

$2m - $3m in recovered fuel value

$10m+ annual impact

Tens of millions in protected margin

transactions, patterns that fall outside normal operating parameters. Alerts are now escalated within minutes rather than hours, significantly improving response time.

In several states during 2023, more than 2,000 pulser manipulation incidents were occurring annually. After rapid detection and escalation measures were introduced, the issue was effectively eliminated in those regions or displaced to networks without similar controls.

3. Short delivery: theft before the forecourt

Loss does not always occur at the pump. In short-delivery schemes, fuel trucks stop roadside before reaching the station and offload 100 to 500 liters into another vehicle. By the time the shipment arrives and is unloaded, the measured volume no longer matches the Bill of Lading.

Detection depends on comparing temperature-corrected delivered volume against expected quantities, with variance thresholds flagging discrepancies for investigation. As larger thefts were identified and addressed, behavior began to shift. Instead of removing hundreds of liters at a time, perpetrators reduced the quantities taken in order to remain below established alarm thresholds.

In higher-risk regions, operators introduced truck-mounted sensors to log stop locations and inlet activations, adding another layer of oversight. In some instances, those sensors were deliberately disabled, which required more frequent physical inspections and tighter procedural controls. As oversight increased, the methods used to bypass it evolved as well, reinforcing that fuel variance management is an ongoing operational discipline rather than a one-time fix.

4. Meter drift – the invisible giveaway

Not every loss scenario involves criminal intent. Meter drift is a natural mechanical phenomenon in which dispensers gradually begin to over-dispense relative to the volume recorded by the system, meaning customers receive slightly more fuel than is measured. The impact develops slowly and can be difficult to detect without long-term trend analysis. Unlike theft, which typically creates sudden and noticeable discrepancies, meter drift shows up as consistent, product-specific variance over time.

In a large national retail network, meter drift currently accounts for approximately USD 10 million in annual losses. Measurement standards organizations have long documented that even minor calibration deviations, when multiplied across thousands of highthroughput dispensers, can create significant financial exposure. Addressing it requires a focused approach: identifying dispenserlevel trend anomalies, verifying meter accuracy onsite, and recalibrating where necessary to restore precision.

From detection to prevention

The difference between average performance and consistent margin protection comes down to visibility, specifically into:

• Inventory-to-sales reconciliation

• Temperature-corrected delivery validation

• Flow-rate analytics

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We provide single or multidisciplinary services, including:

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• Dispenser-level variance trending

• Automated sudden-loss detection

When these controls run continuously instead of periodically, issues surface sooner and teams can respond while they are still small. Over time, that changes outcomes. Losses are reduced, investigations are faster, and patterns that once went unnoticed become part of routine operational oversight.

Titan Cloud’s Fuel Analytics is designed to make fuel variance visible before it becomes a write-off. By continuously monitoring tank levels, deliveries, POS transactions, dispenser data, and flow rates, operators can quickly spot sudden losses, delivery discrepancies, abnormal dispensing behavior, and long-term meter drift.

That visibility changes the conversation internally. Instead of reviewing unexplained shrink at month-end, teams can investigate issues while they’re happening, whether it’s a delivery variance, a calibration issue, or something more deliberate.

For many networks, the biggest financial gains haven’t come from increasing volume. They’ve come from tightening control over the fuel already moving through their system.

If you’d like to see how your network is performing – or where hidden variance may be sitting today – connect with a Titan Cloud solutions consultant. You can also learn more about how Flow Rate Monitoring and Fuel Analytics work together to detect abnormal dispensing behavior in near real time.

Solving global challenges one building at a time

Berrys are celebrating 60 years – thank you for being part of our journey

The year is 1966. David A Berry, buoyed by the England Football Teams World Cup success, formed D.Berry & Co (Pipe Fittings Supplies) Ltd. Dave was an extremely experienced and successful sales manager at J.Saville Gordon, steel pipe and fittings stockists in the Midlands.

Dave made the decision to bring Ron Best with him from J. Saville Gordon, he was doing far more than hiring a colleague – he was laying the foundations for a transformation. Ron’s expertise as a fabricator meant that Berrys could expand beyond supplying pipe and fittings alone, moving into the manufacture and supply of bespoke fabricated products. It was a pivotal moment that defined the company’s entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to evolve in response to customer needs.

From those earliest days, Berrys established principles that would remain central to its success: exceptional service, unwavering reliability, and a determination to deliver. Achieving 100% order fulfilment became more than an operational target – it was a reflection of the company’s commitment to customers. Combined with an in-house fleet of delivery vehicles, this ensured speed, flexibility, and service levels that distinguished the business from competitors.

As the decades progressed, that same forwardthinking mindset continued to drive growth.

By 1987, Berrys was actively diversifying, expanding into petrol station infrastructure and introducing specialist products such as the Ameron fibreglass pipe system form the USA. Strategic acquisitions, including Tustin & Smith (fabricators) and Avon Engraving (Signs & Labels), further strengthened capabilities, broadened expertise, and positioned the company to serve a wider range of market needs.

Innovation remained at the heart of the company’s journey.

In 1997, a practical challenge presented a significant opportunity. The decision to reduce the number of joints on tank lids while creating a simplified, standardised tank kit assembly transformed the interface between Tank and Pipework. What began as a customer-focused engineering solution ultimately became the foundation for one of the company’s most significant innovations.

That innovation came to life in 2000 with the launch of the Atlas System – the world’s first factory-assembled range of plug-and-

play products. This pioneering development demonstrated the company’s ability not only to respond to industry challenges, but to redefine industry standards entirely. The ATLAS brand grew quickly, with Fill & Vent Master brought to market. Easy Riser wasn’t too far behind, the World’s first end of line Vent valve that allowed maintenance and repairs to be completed at Ground Level. This was a huge improvement to eliminate all the risks associated with working at height.

The next major chapter came in June 2011, marked by a bold rebrand and relocation that reflected a modern, ambitious business ready for the future.

Strong supplier partnerships with leading names such as Wefco, alongside world-class product collaborations including Fibrelite, Durapipe, and Klargester, reinforced the company’s position as a trusted solutions provider.

Continued investment in innovation has remained a hallmark of the business, including the development of anti-fuel crosscontamination technology – MIDAS, evidence of an organisation committed not just to commercial success, but to improving safety, efficiency, and operational performance for its customers.

Our products are now sent to all four corners of the Globe!

Yet while products, technologies, and markets have evolved dramatically over 60 years, one constant has remained: our people.

A business does not achieve six decades of success without the loyalty, dedication, and expertise of its workforce. The retention of long-serving team members – many with decades of experience and invaluable technical knowledge – has been instrumental in building the trusted reputation the company enjoys today. Of our current employees we have seven that have completed over 20 years service, three over 30 years, one over 40 years and one has reached recently reached 52 years service!

From a fabrication-led decision in 1966 to world-first innovation and market leadership, this is a story of resilience, service, and continuous reinvention.

Sixty years on, the values that shaped the company at its founding remain unchanged: commitment to customers, engineering excellence, and a willingness to innovate.

That legacy is worth celebrating – and the future looks just as exciting.

News

Gasrec and FreshLinc plan Bio-LNG station in Spalding Lincolnshire

New open-access facility will support up to 100 trucks daily and expand the UK biomethane network.

Gasrec and logistics company FreshLinc have submitted plans to develop a new open-access Bio-LNG refueling station in Spalding, Lincolnshire, with operations expected to begin by the end of 2026. The facility will be located near FreshLinc’s headquarters and aims to strengthen biomethane infrastructure in East Anglia, a region currently without public access to such fuel.

The project will be delivered by Gasrec and is designed to support both regional and long-haul freight operations across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Once operational, the site is expected to refuel up to 100 gaspowered trucks per day, contributing to the expansion of the UK’s low-carbon transport network.

Hugh Fire at Southampton docks

Huge fire engulfs 33 cars at docks as multiple crews tackle blaze and black smoke fills the sky,

Emergency crews scrambled to the scene at Southampton docks.

The alarm was raised after locals reported “explosions” in the area, Firefighters used jets, an aerial ladder and ground monitor to tackle the blaze at the vehicle storage site.

In the thick of the incident, 10 fire appliances rushed to the scene. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service said 33 hybrid vehicles were involved. The cars are believed to be E5s from the Chinese brand Jaecoo.

Locals were advised to keep their windows shut due to the inferno, despite the extent of the fire, no one was injured.

One local, who asked not to be named said: “It woke me up around 3.30am, after a while, I got up to find out what was causing so much noise and that’s when I saw the smoke, I called the fire service at around 4.20am and was told the incident had

Safe Delivery at UK petrol station

A mother gave birth in the back seat of a car at an Esso petrol station in Sedgefield, County Durham, after being unable to make it to hospital in time.

The development will begin with a temporary tanker-fed installation before transitioning to a larger permanent facility later in the year. Unlike private fleet depots, the station will be open to all operators, offering broader access to biomethane as an alternative to diesel.

James Westcott, Chief Commercial Officer at Gasrec, said: “The demand for biomethane continues to grow at pace and the site in Spalding forms another important part of our plans to build a resilient national backbone of refuelling facilities.”

FreshLinc, which operates a fleet of around 400 commercial vehicles, is exploring biomethane as a primary route to reduce emissions. The company plans to introduce its first gas-powered trucks following recent trials.

already been reported. The car horns and explosions were quite loud, by about 5.40am, it looked as though the fire had been put out. The smoke was very thick and had an acidic smell.”

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service said: “Multiple crews were called at around 04:20am on 3 June to a fire at a vehicle storage compound in Southampton. Firefighters used jets, the aerial ladder platform and ground monitors to fight the fire which involved 33 hybrid vehicles.

At the height of the incident there were 10 fire engines, two water carriers, an aerial ladder platform and support vehicles on site.

Due to significant smoke in the area residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed. There were no reported injuries.

Sarah Frost welcomed a 7lb 5oz baby boy nine days early after several members of the public helped to bring towels “we’re doing absolutely fine” Sarah Commented afterwards.

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POWERING SUCCESS

Petrol station admits fuel was contaminated and 15 others affected

A service station has admitted that its fuel was contaminated after a series of customer complaints.

Burnpark Service Station confirmed the issue following reports related to its Super Unleaded fuel last month.

Approximately 15 garages across Scotland are believed to have received deliveries of the contaminated fuel, affecting a mix of different fuel brands.

The exact nature of the contamination has not been identified, though initial findings suggest it is not water.

Further testing is underway.

A spokesman for Burnpark Service Station said : “Following reports from customers regarding issues with Super Unleaded

fuel supplied last month, we can now confirm that test results have shown there was contamination present in the fuel.

“We would like to reassure customers that the contamination did not occur at Burnpark Service Station .

“It is believed the source of the contamination originated from the fuel terminal supplying the product.”

As a precaution, the Super Unleaded tank at the Kilmarnock station will be emptied and professionally cleaned.

The fuel will not be available until the process is complete.

The spokesman said: “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while this matter is being resolved.”

BP restructures business into upstream and downstream units

Energy giant streamlines operations and appoints new leadership to improve performance and decision-making.

BP has announced a new organizational structure that will take effect from July 1, 2026, simplifying its operations into two core segments: upstream and downstream. The move replaces the company’s previous three-part model and is aimed at improving performance, reducing complexity and accelerating decisionmaking across its global business.

The upstream segment will consolidate bp’s oil and gas exploration, development and production activities, along with its upstream joint ventures and businesses in renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage. The downstream segment will combine refining, logistics, mobility and convenience, as well as biofuels, aviation, hydrogen and Castrol operations, aligning the company’s customer-facing and market activities.

To lead the new structure, bp has appointed Gordon Birrell as executive vice president, upstream, while Richard Harding will

serve as interim executive vice president, downstream. The company has initiated a process to appoint a permanent leader for the downstream unit.

Meg O’Neill, bp chief executive, said: “Focusing bp around two distinct segments is an important step in accelerating delivery. It will reduce complexity and strengthen execution.” She added: “We are moving firmly towards a simpler, stronger and more valuable bp.”

The restructuring is designed to clarify accountability and enhance operational efficiency across the organization, with bp’s Supply, Trading & Shipping division continuing to operate across both segments to support integration and value creation.

The changes come amid broader leadership shifts, including the immediate removal of chair Albert Manifold following a unanimous board decision citing governance and conduct concerns, less than eight months after his appointment.

SYSTEM SYSTEM

Next generation Standalone Outdoor Payment Terminals Featuring Online Authorisation Technology

Reknowned throughout the industry for it’s solid, robust and what many call bullet proof construction.

The System 3M was developed specifically as a fuelcard payment terminal for the truck stop market providing 24-7 automated fuelling.

Communicating with MCS’s custom developed, cloud based Fuel Management Software, transactions and wet stock movements are displayed in real-time and accessible from any web enabled PC, Tablet or Smart Phone.

Peace of Mind...

The 3M is also available with various local account software and tools that can be set-up to accept the fuel cards of your choice. The terminals are fully approved for resale and are ideal for environments such as Forecourts, Truckstops, Airports and Marinas.

MCS Cloud systems monitor your terminal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every event is logged and any problems flagged up via regular status reports. Comprehensive diagnostic tools allow MCS to monitor and make adjustments online. Alternatively ask your engineer to contact MCS with details.

At your fingertips...

The Cloud systems working in association with the terminal offer total control of single or multiple home depot fuelling locations, real-time reports, update and alerts at your finger tips.

Other key features included:

• Online reporting packages - transaction, card provider/ISO and stock reports in various formats including Excel and PDF.

• Online stock management with tank gauges linked directly into terminal and through to the MCS associated cloud software.

• Monitor live transactions against recored dip readings.

• Analyse data across a range of dates, times, ISO numbers and pumps to simplify the reconciliation process.

• Protection from environmental issues - System highlights if stock levels change without a transaction taking place.

Fire crews extinguish blaze that destroyed Lanarkshire garage

A large fire has devastated a garage in South Lanarkshire.

Fire crews battled overnight to extinguish the blaze on Bothwell Road, Uddingston, and were able to leave the scene earlier after making the area safe.

The roof of the building collapsed at the height of the fire and the road remains closed. A total of six appliances and a highreach platform were used to tackle the blaze at its peak.

No casualties were reported, though witnesses described an explosion and flames rising 60ft (18m) into the air.

The affected garage and MOT centre are next to a BP petrol station and Tesco superstore. Tesco remained closed on Tuesday morning.

Eyewitness Laurie Bradley said: “I just heard explosions and walked round. Flames were 60 feet in the air.”

Ross Campbell, who lives nearby, watched as the fire engulfed the garage.

“It started at the back, then the fire spread and the roof collapsed,” he said.

“It’s quite scary and you can see the smoke for miles.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said it was alerted at about 18:00 on Monday to the fire breaking out.

They added: “At its height, six appliances, one high-reach vehicle and specialist resources were mobilised to the scene, where firefighters worked overnight to extinguish the fire affecting a mechanical garage.”

“There were no casualties, and crews left at approximately 09:30 on Tuesday, after ensuring the area was safe.”

Social media posts by locals said the entire garage was wrecked after the blaze, while online crowd-funders have been set up for affected workers.

Police closed Bothwell Road at Main Street, Douglas Gardens and Old Glasgow Road, with diversions in place.

People are urged to avoid the area while emergency services remain on scene, and nearby residents were advised to keep their windows closed.

Posting on X, South Lanarkshire Council said: “The B7071 Bothwell Road in Uddingston remains closed due to the fire last night.”

ReFuels to break ground on Swindon CNG station in June

The facility will be capable of refuelling 12 heavy goods vehicles simultaneously.

ReFuels will begin construction of a new public-access compressed natural gas refuelling station in Swindon, SouthWest England, on June 1, with completion expected in Q1 2027. The facility will be capable of refuelling 12 heavy goods vehicles simultaneously and is positioned with direct access to the M4 motorway, close to major distribution hubs along the high-demand corridor between London, South Wales and the Midlands.

“ReFuels has a clear strategy of expanding the CNG Fuels station network to enable logistics operators to reduce emissions and cut fuel costs while reducing dependency on diesel,” said Philip

Fjeld, CEO and co-founder. “Swindon and Magor are the next elements of that strategy, giving fleet operators access to a stable, domestic energy source.”

The Swindon site will complement the CNG Fuels station already under construction in Magor, South Wales, creating what Fjeld described as a clean fuel corridor supporting the decarbonization of road freight along the M4 and into the Midlands.

ReFuels holds a 40% stake in the CNG Fuels network, which currently operates 16 UK stations serving more than 2,250 trucks daily, with a total network capacity exceeding 11,500 HGVs per day. The company aims to nearly double dispensing capacity by end-2028, targeting 20,000 HGVs per day and over 780 million kg of biomethane annually.

Fire engines were using the car park of the nearby Tesco superstore.

The roof of the garage collapsed due to the flames.

Image source, Thomas Duncan

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Lightning causes ‘almighty bang’ at petrol station

The manager of a petrol station which was hit by lightning says the “almighty bang” caused by the strike was the loudest thing he has ever heard.

Rich Todd, who works at Ledbury Road Services on the A438 at Bushley, Gloucestershire, said “it was very lucky” nobody was hurt in the strike.

The bolt, which is believed to have hit the site’s workshop on 15 April, did not cause a fire but there was a power cut and damage to the fuel gauges and electrics.

Repair work is currently under way and the petrol station’s owners hope it will be ready to reopen in June.

Todd, who has worked at the filling station since November 2024, said he “didn’t really think anything of it” when the thunderstorm got closer.

Even when he heard the strike and the lights went out, he assumed the lightning had hit nearby.

“It was me and two other customers in the shop. We all pretty much - not quite screamed - but it made us jump that’s for sure,” he said.

“Eventually the power came back on so I tried to reset

the pumps and that was when I realised, ‘OK, something’s up’,” he added.

The fridges in the garage had just been restocked with fresh food when the lightning bolt hit and staff said this was donated to The Salvation Army in Gloucester.

Owner of the petrol station Susannah Moffat said she was thankful nobody was hurt and that damage from the strike was covered by insurance.

“A lot of the electrics, the fuel gauge, network switches, basically all the various parts that we need to get it up and running, they all need different things fixing by different contractors,” she said.

“Hopefully, by June, we should be fully back up and running,” she added.

Orlen opens seventh hydrogen station in Poland

The new Gdynia site expands national network, targeting passenger cars, buses and heavy-duty vehicles.

Orlen has opened its seventh publicly accessible hydrogen refueling station in Poland, located in Gdynia, marking a further step in the expansion of the country’s hydrogen infrastructure. The facility is designed to serve a wide range of vehicles, including passenger cars, buses and trucks.

The opening strengthens Orlen’s nationwide hydrogen network and represents the first station of its kind in northern Poland. Strategically positioned near key transport corridors connecting the S6 and S7 routes, the site is intended to support both regional mobility and long-distance transport.

The station is equipped with a dual-pressure dispensing system, offering 350 bar refueling for passenger vehicles and 700 bar for buses and heavy-duty trucks. With a daily capacity of 630 kg of hydrogen, the facility enables fast refueling, taking approximately five minutes for cars and around 15 minutes for buses.

Hydrogen supplied to the Gdynia station is delivered from the company’s production hubs in Włocławek and Trzebinia via specialized transport systems, ensuring consistent fuel availability. The facility was developed under the EU-supported PureH2 project and incorporates advanced safety measures, including hydrogen detection systems and dedicated storage protections.

The Gdynia site will also support upcoming pilot operations, including the introduction of hydrogen-powered buses in the city during the summer season, further advancing low-emission public transport initiatives.

Orlen’s existing hydrogen network already includes stations in Poznań, Katowice, Wałbrzych, Włocławek, Piła and Płock, alongside a mobile refuelling unit in Kraków supporting municipal bus fleets. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its footprint with additional stations in cities such as Warsaw, Kraków and Bielsko-Biała.

Rich Todd said he did not initially realise lightning had directly hit a building at the filling station.

Image Source,Susannah Moffat

The fuel station is closed while repair work is carried out.

Explosion at China fireworks factory kills 26 people

An explosion at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province has killed 26 people and left 61 wounded, according to state media.

Rescue operations have wrapped up at the Huasheng Fireworks plant in the southern city of Liuyang, after an explosion on Monday afternoon forced authorities to evacuate everyone within a 3km (1.9 mile) radius of the plant.

Authorities deployed more than 1,500 emergency responders, along with dogs, drones and robots. They rescued seven people who were trapped under debris.

Police, who are investigating the cause of the blast, have taken “control measures” against the staff in charge of the fireworks company, Chinese state media reported.

Authorities said that two gunpowder warehouses within the factory area had posed a high risk amid rescue efforts, state media reported.

Besides evacuating people near the fireworks plant, rescuers also implemented measures like humidifying the area to “prevent secondary accidents during the rescue”.

The impact of the blast was so destructive that windows of a nearby residential building were shattered, a CCTV reporter noted in a televised broadcast from the scene.

The ages of the injured range from their 20s to 60s, and some suffered bone injuries after being hit by flying debris, said the CCTV report.

President Xi Jinping has urged all-out efforts to search for the missing and save the injured. He also called for an investigation into the accident to hold those responsible to account, state media reported.

Local authorities said on Tuesday that they were monitoring the vicinity’s water and air qualities, and that the relevant environmental indicators were normal.

Speaking to Beijing News, a resident who lives about 1km away from the factory said villagers now have to take detours after stones were blasted onto the road.

“The glass windows in our homes were shattered, aluminium window frames were deformed, and even the stainless-steel doors were twisted out of shape,” she said.

Another resident told the news outlet that she has left the village out of fear.

Liuyang city is known for fireworks manufacturing, touted in reports as the world’s largest producer of fireworks.

Blasts at fireworks factories and shops are not uncommon in China - and are often deadly. In February, 12 people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks store in Hubei province.

Rescue teams had to evacuate everyone within a 3km (1.9mi) radius of the fireworks plant. Image source, Getty Images

Clean Energy launches large-scale dairy RNG facility in Idaho

East Valley site produces negative carbon-intensity renewable gas for U.S. transport fleets.

Clean Energy Fuels has started production at a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at East Valley Cattle in Jerome, Idaho, one of the largest dairies and RNG sites in North America. The project captures methane from manure at a farm with more than 35,000 cows and injects processed gas into the interstate pipeline for use as a lower-carbon transportation fuel.

The facility operates six anaerobic digesters and processes over 5 million gallons of manure daily using large-scale treatment systems and separation technology. This enables the conversion of waste into pipeline-quality RNG while reusing byproducts onsite as livestock bedding and fertilizer.

Will Flanagan, Vice President of Strategic Development at Clean Energy, said: “We’re capturing methane, cleaning it up and injecting it on-site while replacing natural gas that would have been of fossil origin. It’s a double offset renewable energy.”

The project has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Renewable Fuel Standard and from the California Air Resources Board, allowing it to generate environmental credits tied to emissions reductions. The RNG produced is classified as having negative carbon intensity due to methane capture, which avoids emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

Developed through a joint venture with bp, the facility highlights the role of RNG as a scalable alternative to diesel, offering lower lifecycle emissions while integrating with existing energy infrastructure.

Casey’s targets 120 new stores after record year

U.S. convenience retailer reports strong earnings and continued growth in food and fuel sales.

Casey’s General Stores plans to open at least 120 locations in its new fiscal year following a record financial performance, the company reported for the period ending April 30, 2026. The expansion, driven by both acquisitions and new construction, will support growth across its network of more than 2,900 stores in 19 U.S. states.

The retailer posted strong results in the fourth quarter, with inside same-store sales rising 5.5% year over year. Net income for the quarter increased 65.5% to $162.7 million, while full-year net income grew 30.7% to $714.4 million. Performance was supported by continued demand in prepared food and nonalcoholic beverages, key categories within Casey’s operations.

Fuel sales also saw modest growth, with same-store gallons up 1.5% in the quarter, alongside a fuel margin of 46.9 cents per gallon. The company’s loyalty program, Casey’s Rewards, expanded to nearly 10.5 million members, reflecting increased customer engagement across its network.

Darren Rebelez, CEO and President of Casey’s, said: “Casey’s delivered another record fiscal year as our team closed out the three-year strategic plan on an extremely high note.”

Looking ahead, the retailer expects inside same-store sales to grow between 2% and 5% in the coming fiscal year. The planned store openings form part of Casey’s broader strategy to scale its footprint while maintaining momentum in both retail and foodservice segments.

India targets 5,000 E85 fuel stations by 2027

Government plans phased expansion starting with 100 urban sites to support flex-fuel vehicle adoption.

India is preparing to deploy up to 5,000 E85 fuel stations across major cities by the end of 2027, beginning with an initial rollout of 100 sites in key urban areas such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to expand ethanol-based mobility and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The first phase will focus on establishing E85 dispensing infrastructure in strategic corridors, followed by an expansion to 500 stations by late 2026. The full network aims to create a nationwide refueling ecosystem to support the adoption of flexfuel vehicles, which can operate on fuel blends containing up to 85% ethanol.

E85 has been designated as a standard fuel for flex-fuel vehicles under national specifications, with officials highlighting its potential to reduce emissions and support cleaner transport.

The expansion aligns with India’s wider energy transition efforts, which include ethanol blending, biofuels and e-mobility.

“This not only helps lower our energy import bill but also empowers our farmers with an additional and sustainable source of income,” said Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The government also sees economic benefits from increased ethanol production. Estimates suggest that if half of new vehicle sales shift to flex-fuel technology, annual ethanol demand could rise significantly, generating additional income for farmers and supporting rural economies.

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EcoSimplex launches biogas hydrogen station in Seoul

The new facility in Magok converts wastewater biogas into low-carbon hydrogen for transport use.

EcoSimplex has begun commercial operations at a biogas-based hydrogen station in Magok, Seoul, marking a milestone in South Korea’s clean hydrogen deployment. The facility uses biogas generated from a nearby sewage treatment plant to produce hydrogen for public and private transport, including buses and passenger vehicles.

The project was developed under the Ministry of Climate’s 2024 program supporting biogas-based clean hydrogen production and is the first in this framework to reach commercial operation using an on-site production model. The station processes around 4,000 Nm³ of biogas daily to generate approximately 500 kg of hydrogen, alongside expanded refueling infrastructure.

The company estimates the process can cut emissions by more than 85% compared to conventional hydrogen production from fossil fuels.

Kim Youngmin, Vice President of EcoSimplex, said: “By supplying hydrogen fuel generated from biogas derived from citizens’ sewage, we can contribute to building a sustainable society by reducing greenhouse gases, improving the environment, achieving energy self-reliance, and expanding hydrogen infrastructure.”

EcoSimplex plans to build on the project by expanding its biogasbased hydrogen portfolio, aiming to increase production capacity and support wider adoption of low-carbon hydrogen solutions.

Rolande combines Bio-LNG and EV charging at Tilburg site

New hub offers dual decarbonization options for heavy transport with capacity for future expansion.

Rolande has launched a combined Bio-LNG and electric vehicle (EV) charging facility in Tilburg, Netherlands, marking the first time both energy solutions are available at a single site in its network. The station, located in Berkel-Enschot, is designed to support heavy-duty transport operators seeking immediate options to reduce CO₂ emissions.

The site integrates four high-power charging points with capacities of up to 375 kW alongside existing Bio-LNG infrastructure, enabling fleets to adopt different low-carbon fuels depending on operational needs. The facility has been built with future growth in mind, with infrastructure already in place to expand to eight charging points.

The development reflects the company’s approach to transport decarbonization, which emphasizes multiple energy pathways rather than a single solution. According to Rolande, factors such as route distance, payload and usage patterns will determine whether electric or Bio-LNG power is more suitable.

Jolon van der Schuit, CEO of Rolande, said: “The decarbonization of heavy transport does not require one solution, but a mix of solutions that work in practice.” He added: “For some applications, electrification is the logical next step, while BioLNG already offers a practical and immediately available route to significant CO₂ reduction.”

The Tilburg site is positioned as a model for future infrastructure, combining different energy carriers in one location to give operators flexibility. The initiative also highlights the importance of reliability, availability and total cost of ownership in the transition to lower-emission transport.

H2 MOBILITY cuts hydrogen prices at high-volume German stations

Europe’s largest hydrogen refuelling station operator said it aims to transition fully to renewable hydrogen.

H2 MOBILITY is reducing hydrogen prices by around 10% at five of its highest-volume refuelling stations in Germany, citing economies of scale and the financial benefits of greenhouse gas quota trading as key drivers.

The price adjustment covers stations in Mannheim, Heidelberg, Frankenthal, Ludwigshafen, and Düsseldorf-Höherweg, and applies to both 350 bar and 700 bar pressure levels. The company said strong demand at these locations has enabled operating cost reductions; while growing use of green hydrogen combined with access to Germany’s GHG quota trading scheme has created additional revenue from avoided emissions.

“By lowering prices at our high-volume stations, we are making the benefits of GHG quota trading tangible for our customers for the first time,” said Martin Jüngel, Managing Director and CFO of H2 MOBILITY. “Our goal is to make green hydrogen truly competitive and to accelerate its market adoption.”

The move follows Germany’s Bundestag decision in May 2026 to tighten the GHG quota framework, introducing binding mandates for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), a category that includes electricity-based green hydrogen. The revised legislation sets a phased RFNBO quota for the transport sector starting at 0.1% in 2026, rising to 1.2% by 2030 and 8% by 2040, exceeding EU-wide RED III targets.

Europe’s largest hydrogen refuelling station operator said it aims to transition fully to renewable hydrogen across its network by 2028.

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Lidl to supply all Dutch stores with electric transport by 2027

Retailer accelerates zero-emission logistics plan, becoming first to fully electrify store deliveries nationwide.

Lidl Nederland has announced it will supply all of its stores in the Netherlands using fully electric transport by 2027, bringing forward its original target by three years. The milestone, revealed at the opening of a new fast-charging hub in Almere, positions the retailer as the first globally to achieve fully electric store replenishment at national scale.

The initiative builds on Lidl’s broader sustainability strategy, following its transition to fossil-free logistics in 2024. With the addition of new charging infrastructure, including a megawatt charging system, the company is already operating fully electric supply for the North Holland and Flevoland regions.

The shift requires not only electrifying transport fleets but

Malta – Firework factory explosion

A fireworks factory exploded into a fireball and shot out flames and choking plumes of smoke.

The powerful blast sent shockwaves across Malta with windows shattering to pieces several kilometres away.

Shocking footage, which can be seen online, shows the Lourdes Fireworks Factory in Salina blow up and hurl debris and smoke hundreds of metres into the sky.

At least three people have been injured and four cows were killed. Emergency services scrambled to the scene of the blast which erupted at around 6:30am in Triq Tal-Qadi, Panicked residents took to social media to share their horror with one viewer even having their own window blasted apart as they filmed the explosion.

also addressing energy supply challenges. Lidl has invested in solar generation across its distribution centres and battery storage systems to manage peak demand and reduce pressure on the grid. At its Almere distribution centre, a 1 MWh battery system supports operations, while surplus energy can be shared externally when capacity allows.

Peter de Roos, CEO of Lidl Nederland, said: “By investing smartly in electric supply, we keep grocery prices low for customers. We are proud to show that sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand.”

The transition is expected to bring additional benefits, including quieter and cleaner urban environments around Lidl’s more than 400 stores. The move reflects growing momentum in retail logistics electrification, as companies seek to align operational efficiency with emissions reduction targets.

Fireworks continued to go off hours after the initial blast as residents fled their homes to escape the showers of debris and damaged electric cables, further footage shows shards of glass litter the ground as windows and parts of buildings were blown apart from the impact of the explosion.

Farms in the area have sustained “significant damage” according to the MaYA Foundation, a farming collective, but Brandon Pisani, head of the local police unit, confirmed that all the workers at the factory are accounted for.

The police are still investigating the cause of the shock blast, the unexpected explosion has rocked the entire nation and Prime Minister Robert Abela has said his thoughts are with those impacted by the explosion.

The Lourdes Fireworks Factory has exploded once before in 2018, seriously injuring two.

EZO and eir open high-speed EV charging hub in Dublin

Partners plan 50 urban hubs across Ireland to expand access and support rising EV demand.

EZO and telecommunications provider eir have launched a highspeed electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Walkinstown, Dublin, marking the first of 50 planned sites across Ireland over the next three years. The initiative aims to expand urban charging coverage and support continued growth in EV adoption, with nearly 196,000 EVs currently on Irish roads.

The new hub introduces a multi-charger format designed to increase capacity and reduce waiting times. Located at an operational depot, the Walkinstown site includes three 200kW ultra-fast chargers, enabling drivers to recharge quickly in a high-demand urban area. The rollout builds on a previous

collaboration that converted 109 public payphone kiosks into EV charging points.

EZO CEO Ollie Chatten said: “The launch of our first dedicated EV charging hub is a pivotal moment for EZO and for Ireland’s EV infrastructure.” He added: “These hubs are about looking forward and delivering faster charging, better access and urban coverage at scale.”

The partnership focuses on repurposing existing infrastructure, including former telecom exchanges and operational facilities, to accelerate deployment while limiting the need for entirely new sites. This approach is intended to improve accessibility and scalability as demand for charging continues to grow.

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Circle K to migrate Nordics consumer cards to Enfuce’s platform

The partnership will transform Circle K’s existing closed-loop card offering into a more flexible ecosystem.

Circle K has selected Enfuce as its strategic technology partner to modernise its consumer payment card programme across Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, in a deal that will see more than 400,000 cards migrated to a scalable, cloud-native platform.

The partnership will transform Circle K’s existing closedloop card offering into a more flexible ecosystem supporting purchases at Circle K and Ingo retail stations, including fuel, EV charging, car wash, and convenience store transactions.

Following a review of its legacy infrastructure, Circle K chose the Amsterdam-based processor to future-proof its platform without disrupting the customer loyalty tied to the programme.

Thomas Ørnstrup Bergmann, Global Director of B2C Payment Products at Circle K, said the partnership would allow the company to modernise its payment platform, strengthen security and improve customer experience across its network. “It also gives us the flexibility to continue developing new services and strengthening customer loyalty over time,” he added.

“From seamless onboarding to advanced analytics, this collaboration demonstrates how payment technology can become a true driver of long-term growth,” said Denise Johansson, CEO and co-founder of Enfuce.

As part of the agreement, Enfuce will deliver digital onboarding capabilities to replace manual customer journeys, alongside direct debit functionality integrated with local Nordic payment schemes.

Port of Klaipėda opens Lithuania’s first green hydrogen station

New facility enables production and refueling for multiple transport modes, advancing regional decarbonization.

Lithuania has launched its first green hydrogen production and refueling station in Klaipėda, marking a milestone in the country’s clean energy transition and transport decarbonization efforts. The facility, now fully operational, is designed to serve a wide range of transport segments, including cars, trucks, buses and maritime applications.

Developed at the Port of Klaipėda, the station integrates hydrogen production and refueling at a single site, supporting the deployment of low-emission mobility solutions across the Baltic region. The development required overcoming regulatory

and technical challenges, given the limited existing framework for hydrogen infrastructure.

Mindaugas Zakaras, CEO of project developer MT Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of this sustainable energy transition, delivering the complex infrastructure and engineering solutions that turn visions of a cleaner tomorrow into reality.”

The station is expected to support the expansion of hydrogen mobility while contributing to broader sustainability targets in the region. It also demonstrates the role of port infrastructure as a hub for alternative fuels, linking road and maritime transport.

The project positions Klaipėda as an early mover in hydrogen infrastructure in Northern Europe, providing a scalable model for future developments in zero-emission transport.

Shell adds 16 ultra-fast EV charging sites across Baden-Württemberg

New locations deliver up to 400 kW charging capacity, strengthening regional infrastructure and retail partnerships.

Shell Recharge has expanded its electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Baden-Württemberg with the addition of 16 new ultra-fast charging locations, offering power outputs of up to 400 kW. The rollout reinforces Shell’s infrastructure across the region, combining installations at its own service stations with partner sites including REWE and Penny stores.

The new locations include a high-capacity charging hub in Walldorf with 12 charging points, alongside multiple sites positioned along key transport routes and urban corridors. The expansion is designed to support growing EV demand, improve accessibility and reduce charging times for drivers across the state.

Baden-Württemberg remains one of Germany’s leading regions for e-mobility, with EV adoption rates above the national

average. Stuttgart, in particular, stands out as a central growth market, with a significantly higher share of battery-electric vehicles compared to the rest of the country.

Shell said the deployment contributes to improving charging coverage and reliability for municipalities, commuters and retail destinations. The network integrates existing service stations with retail locations, reflecting a broader trend of combining mobility services with commercial hubs.

Florian Glattes, Head of Shell’s retail business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, said: “With the new ultra-fast chargers, we are creating an infrastructure that EV drivers can rely on.”

With this expansion, Shell operates 93 charging locations and 342 charging points in Baden-Württemberg, as part of a wider network of approximately 2,200 fast-charging points across Germany.

Shell adds 16 ultra-fast EV charging sites across Baden-Württemberg

New locations deliver up to 400 kW charging capacity, strengthening regional infrastructure and retail partnerships.

Shell Recharge has expanded its electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Baden-Württemberg with the addition of 16 new ultra-fast charging locations, offering power outputs of up to 400 kW. The rollout reinforces Shell’s infrastructure across the region, combining installations at its own service stations with partner sites including REWE and Penny stores.

The new locations include a high-capacity charging hub in Walldorf with 12 charging points, alongside multiple sites positioned along key transport routes and urban corridors. The expansion is designed to support growing EV demand, improve accessibility and reduce charging times for drivers across the state.

Baden-Württemberg remains one of Germany’s leading regions for e-mobility, with EV adoption rates above the national average. Stuttgart, in particular, stands out as a central growth market, with a significantly higher share of battery-electric vehicles compared to the rest of the country.

Shell said the deployment contributes to improving charging coverage and reliability for municipalities, commuters and retail destinations. The network integrates existing service stations with retail locations, reflecting a broader trend of combining mobility services with commercial hubs.

Florian Glattes, Head of Shell’s retail business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, said: “With the new ultra-fast chargers, we are creating an infrastructure that EV drivers can rely on.”

With this expansion, Shell operates 93 charging locations and 342 charging points in Baden-Württemberg, as part of a wider network of approximately 2,200 fast-charging points across Germany.

Galp completes ultra-fast EV charging corridor in Portugal

€6.1 million investment delivers 96 high-power chargers along A1 and A2 highways.

Galp has completed an ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging corridor connecting northern and southern Portugal, with the launch of a new hub in Pombal marking the final phase of a €6.1 million investment. The network spans the A1 and A2 motorways, linking Porto and the Algarve with 96 ultra-fast charging points distributed across eight hubs.

The infrastructure delivers a combined capacity of 20 MW and is located at key service areas including Pombal and Aveiras on the A1, and Alcácer do Sal and Aljustrel on the A2. The project is designed to support long-distance travel and address growing demand for e-mobility across major road corridors. Continued overleaf

The charging hubs are equipped to significantly reduce charging times, allowing drivers to recover usable battery capacity in under 20 minutes, depending on vehicle capability. Facilities are integrated into motorway service areas with amenities such as covered spaces, lighting and payment systems to enhance user experience.

Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, highlighted the importance of expanding charging infrastructure alongside rising EV adoption, noting the country ranks among Europe’s leading markets for electric vehicles.

João Marques da Silva, Co-CEO of Galp, said: “We have completed a corridor that connects the country from north to south with a fast, convenient and reliable charging network, prepared to support the growth of e-mobility.”

The project forms part of Galp’s broader strategy to scale sustainable mobility solutions across the Iberian Peninsula. The company has been expanding its EV charging network rapidly, with more than 10,000 public and private charging points now installed across Portugal and Spain.

Vivo Energy completes Namibia fuel station divestment

Sale of Engen and Shell sites to Nasan Energies marks regulatory milestone in market restructuring.

Vivo Energy Namibia has completed the divestment of its portfolio of service stations to Nasan Energies, following approval by the Namibian Competition Commission. The transaction finalizes a process first announced in September 2025 and was required as part of regulatory conditions tied to Vivo Energy’s acquisition of Engen Limited in May 2024.

The deal transfers ownership and operation of the divested Engen- and Shell-branded sites to Nasan Energies, which now assumes full responsibility for supply, customer service and site management.

Johan Grobbelaar, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Namibia, said: “Completion of this transaction represents the fulfilment of our regulatory commitment to the Namibian Competition Commission and to the people of Namibia.”

The agreement represents a significant step in Namibia’s downstream fuel market restructuring, with a new domestic operator entering at scale.

Nasan Energies described the acquisition as a milestone in building a locally founded energy company. Miguel Hamutenya, Co-founder of Nasan Energies, said: “We have taken full ownership and operational responsibility for these service stations and are committed to delivering the highest standards of service and reliability to our customers from day one.”

During a transition period, Engen-branded sites will continue operating under their existing branding, while Shell-branded locations are being debranded. All sites will eventually be rebranded under Nasan Energies as integration progresses.

Autofuel Brings Safe Automation to Extreme Heat

Heat resilient, 60°C ATEX certified automation makes fuelling safer and more seamless in hot climates, while helping stations modernize without rebuilding.

As temperatures continue to rise each year, refueling in extreme heat becomes more than uncomfortable: it becomes a safety and operational challenge. That’s why Autofuel, the Danish company redefining mobility since 2014, has strengthened its technology with an ATEX certified automated refueling and EV charging system built to operate safely in temperatures up to 60°C. Developed for regions like the Middle East, where high heat and convenience expectations shape mobility habits, Autofuel’s explosion proof innovation ensures safe operation even in flammable, high risk environments such as petrol stations. According to co founder and CEO Jonas Thor Olsen, the new certification also enables hydrogen compatibility, supporting future energy transitions.

Autofuel’s robotic system removes the need for drivers to step out into scorching temperatures, while offering stations a cost effective upgrade that works with existing infrastructure. One robot can match the output of multiple attendants, easing the labour pressures many regions already face. And rather than replace staff, the technology frees attendants to focus on higher value roles, such as in car delivery or customer service inside climate controlled spaces.

How does it work - Autofuel gen 3

The same benefits extend to EV drivers. Autofuel’s automated charging robot moves along a rail, serving multiple vehicles and initiating charging seamlessly through an integrated app. No cables, no heat, no hassle.

With patented technology ready for rapid deployment, Autofuel aims to bring safer, smoother and more inclusive refueling and charging to hot weather markets worldwide. As co-founder and CEO Jonas Thor Olsen puts it: “When you think of the future, will there be more or less automation? The answer is simple.”

Applegreen to open Popeyes restaurants at Irish roadside locations

Irish operator will invest approximately €6 million to open multiple Popeyes outlets over the next four years.

Irish forecourt operator Applegreen has signed a partnership agreement with Popeyes UK and Ireland to open a series of the chicken quick service restaurant chain at its roadside locations in the Republic of Ireland.

Under the deal, Applegreen will invest approximately €6 million to open multiple Popeyes outlets over the next four years, with up to 450 jobs expected to be created. The first location will open at Midway, Junction 17 on the M7 at Portlaoise within the coming weeks.

“At Applegreen, we’re committed to raising the bar for roadside hospitality and offering great food and world class service to people on the move,” said Seamus Stapleton, Managing Director

of Applegreen’s Republic of Ireland business. “Popeyes is a fantastic addition to the Applegreen offer.”

Popeyes UK and Ireland Chief Development Officer Tom Byng said the partnership would allow the brand to reach more consumers on the move, calling it “an exciting milestone in our journey to bring our much-loved shatter crunchin’ chicken to Irish customers.”

Applegreen has operated Popeyes restaurants in the United States since 2021 and currently runs 24 of its outlets across six states. Popeyes entered the UK market in the same year and now counts more than 110 restaurants and 3,500 employees there, with 2024 sales exceeding £118 million.

Applegreen operates nearly 200 locations in Ireland and more than 435 sites globally as part of a broader €1 billion expansion programme.

California to host world’s largest hydrogen refueling station for buses

FASTECH and Bosch Rexroth to design and deploy a high-capacity facility for SamTrans fleet.

FASTECH and Bosch Rexroth have been selected to design, build and commission a large-scale hydrogen refueling station in San Mateo County, California, to support SamTrans’ growing fleet of fuel cell buses. The project will serve as the primary hydrogen hub for the transit agency and is set to become the world’s largest station dedicated to bus operations.

The facility will supply hydrogen for up to 175 fuel cell electric buses and deliver as much as 3.5 tons of hydrogen per day. Equipped with four dispensers, the station is designed for high-throughput operations, while Bosch Rexroth’s system can dispense up to 1,200 kg per hour, enabling rapid refueling for heavy-duty fleets.

“This project demonstrates how hydrogen can be deployed at scale to support reliable, zero-emission public transportation,” said Dan McGill, President of FASTECH. He added that combining advanced hydrogen systems with infrastructure expertise helps “establish a new benchmark for sustainable transit infrastructure worldwide.”

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is providing technical support and independent assessment for the initiative. Once operational, the station is expected to play a central role in advancing hydrogen infrastructure for public transit while supporting SamTrans’ transition to lower-emission mobility solutions.

Clean Energy expands LNG infrastructure into Puerto Rico

New projects aim to boost energy security for industrial and power applications.

Clean Energy Fuels has entered the Puerto Rican market with two contracts to design and install liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelling systems, supporting energy resilience for industrial and power generation uses. The projects involve agreements with P.R. Energy Partners and a global healthcare products manufacturer, marking the company’s first LNG infrastructure deals on the island.

Under one contract, Clean Energy will supply and install LNG fuelling equipment for a pharmaceutical production facility, which is adopting natural gas to ensure a more reliable energy source for its local operations. The second agreement includes

the design and construction of an LNG supply station to fuel a six-megawatt combined heat and power (CHP) plant developed by P.R. Energy Partners to support residential and hospitality operations.

“These projects demonstrate the reliability and scalability of our engineered LNG solutions and will help strengthen energy resilience on the island,” said Sean Columbia, General Manager of CE Technologies at Clean Energy.

Together, the projects will support approximately 10 megawatts of installed power capacity. Clean Energy’s modular LNG systems are designed to deliver both primary and backup energy supply, particularly in regions with constrained grid infrastructure.

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30 Years of safe access and containment: what experience delivers in the field

This year marks 30 years in operation for Abfad Limited.

Operating across storage tank lining, rope access, and confined space rescue, the company has spent three decades working in environments where safety, precision, and reliability are critical. In that time, the industry has evolved significantly, with higher safety expectations, improved materials, and more complex operational demands.

What has remained consistent is the requirement for disciplined execution.

Thirty years in this field is not a milestone of celebration. It reflects consistent performance, technical capability, and longterm client trust built through delivery.

From experience to innovation

Abfad’s foundations were built long before the company was formally established. Leadership brought over 20 years of prior experience in heavy industry, shaping an approach focused on problem-solving and continuous improvement.

As one Abfad director explains:

“If a problem arose, we would find the appropriate solution and capitalise on the remedy to refine it, not just for one client, but for all of our clients.”

This mindset led to ongoing research and development, particularly in storage tank protection. The company’s Fuelvac® double skin lining system is one example; a solution designed to provide long-term protection and continuous monitoring of storage tanks using solvent-free epoxy and non-hazardous materials.

With over 20 years of successful installation across the UK and beyond, the system reflects a broader principle: experience should lead to better systems, not just repeated processes.

How the industry has changed

Over the past three decades, the way work is delivered in industrial environments has changed. Technology has advanced.

Safety standards have tightened.

Client expectations have increased.

But according to Abfad’s leadership, the biggest change has been the refinement of how experience is applied:

“Experience coupled with determination was built year on year to supply quality services safely.”

Alongside this, the company has expanded its service offering to support clients with maintenance and asset management, reflecting a shift from reactive work to more integrated, longterm solutions.

Safety as a Constant

While the industry has evolved, safety has always been central to Abfad’s operations.

What has changed is the level of accountability and communication required to maintain it.

“There is now more concentration on communication with employees, with verification and evidence that safety processes are being performed on every site.”

A strong safety culture, in practical terms, is built on:

• Team-based working rather than individuals operating alone

• Continuous training and development

• Open communication and reporting

• Proactive risk identification before work begins

Rescue capability has also become a critical part of operational delivery:

“It is one thing to provide specialist services. It is another to ensure that a casualty can be rescued quickly and safely. That is what saves lives.”

Continued overleaf

Press Releases

Experience in practice

Experience is most visible in how work is planned and executed. On complex projects, preparation is often the difference between success and failure.

“Planning through risk assessment enables identification and mitigation of potential risks. A well-planned project provides a clear roadmap for execution.”

This includes:

• Resource allocation

• Risk control

• Contingency planning

• Coordination across multiple trades

In high-risk environments, these are not optional steps, they are essential.

What clients value

Client expectations have also shifted over time.

Today, the priorities are clear:

“Clients value reliability, quality workmanship, and effective communication. They want proven track records and the ability to deliver when required, often at short notice.”

Downtime is costly. Delays impact operations.

As a result, contractors are expected not only to deliver safely, but to do so efficiently and predictably.

Long-term relationships are built on consistency:

“Trust comes from knowing what to expect and consistently delivering reliable products and services. Our priority is giving our clients the best return on investment, exceptional quality, measurable results, and fair, upfront pricing with no hidden fees.

Capability across complex environments

Over 30 years, Abfad has delivered services across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Oil & gas and petrochemical facilities

• Power generation and utilities

• Marine and offshore structures

• Infrastructure and industrial assets

This includes rope access operations, tank lining systems, and confined space rescue provision; often delivered simultaneously on complex sites.

The ability to combine these capabilities allows for greater control, reduced risk, and more efficient project delivery.

Looking ahead

While the milestone reflects past performance, the focus remains forward-looking.

Investment continues in:

• Training and workforce development

• Safety systems and rescue capability

• Research and development

• New technologies and automation

“The objective for Abfad is clear; to continue delivering safe, reliable solutions in increasingly complex environments”.

Autofuel Bridges Technology and Accessibility in Mobility

As the EU sharpens its disability rights agenda, Autofuel shows how accessibility, dignity, and modern forecourts can move together.

Europe is preparing the next phase of its Disability Rights Strategy (2021–2030), with the Commission planning an update in Q2 2026 to reinforce inclusion, independent living, employment, and accessibility across daily life. For mobility, which means practical changes at the places drivers rely on, like service stations and charging hubs.

Autofuel’s approach fits naturally with this shift toward more independent, accessible mobility. Since 2014, the company has engineered automated refueling and EV charging that lets drivers stay in the car while a robotic system identifies the vehicle, aligns, connects, and handles payment; integrating with existing dispensers and POS so forecourts can add accessibility without rebuilding. The result: fewer barriers for older drivers and people with disabilities, and a smoother, more consistent experience for everyone.

“The whole idea of a car is freedom, and a system like this helps preserve that freedom for people who may have lost it, or find it harder to maintain as they age,” explains Jonas Thor Olsen, cofounder and CEO of Autofuel.

The Commission’s 2026 workplan signals new actions for disability inclusion through 2030, with Parliament tracking the file and civil society groups calling for stronger, funded measures (from accessibility and employment to independent living). Operators modernizing forecourts today can align with where policy and customer expectations are heading.

“This time I felt like an equal driver. But in my opinion, this solution can help everyone, as it makes us all equal drivers,” explains Markus Pitkänen.

What Autofuel enables

• Inclusive by design: Automated fuelling/charging that reduces physical strain and preserves dignity at the pump or plug.

• Practical for operators: Works with existing infrastructure and payment flows; a clear path to accessible service without a ground up rebuild.

• Policy ready modernization: A tangible step toward the strategy’s aims: accessibility, equal participation, and independent living in everyday mobility.

As the EU advances the next set of disability rights actions, Autofuel offers a ready, real world way to translate aspirations into daily independence.

ISTOBAL boosts its Modular enclosure, the most flexible, durable and secure in its range

• The flexible, modular design of this model facilitates the installation and operation of rollovers, jet washes, tunnels and technical rooms

• It features high-quality materials that meet the highest standards of safety and structural quality

• It maximises the potential of the facilities, turning every square metre into a source of efficient and sustainable energy

Valencia (9 June 2026) –– ISTOBAL, the Spanish multinational and world leader in vehicle wash and care solutions, is revolutionising the vehicle wash sector with the launch of the Modular Enclosure. This model is the most flexible, durable and safe structure in the company’s range of enclosures.

Designed to add a distinctive touch to jet washes, rollovers, tunnels and technical rooms, this solution enhances the facility’s image, making it more attractive to users and improving the customer experience from the moment of installation. Furthermore, it optimises space, reduces assembly times and extends the service life of the equipment in any car wash facility. It also acts as a barrier against external factors such as the elements, dirt and wear and tear, whilst improving the overall aesthetics and facilitating the assembly and operation of the equipment.

Among the main features of the Modular enclosure are its robustness and durability. Manufactured from materials that meet the highest standards of safety and structural quality in Europe, it has been designed and calculated in accordance with the European Eurocodes regulations and incorporates strict quality controls in line with the UNE-EN 1090 standard.

Thanks to these features, this model withstands maximum wind loads of 130 km/h and snow loads of 1.85 kN/m², providing car wash facilities with a solid, safe and efficient infrastructure.

“With this launch, we are taking another step forward in our strategy to offer comprehensive solutions for vehicle wash and care facilities. Our Modular enclosure is a flexible structure, designed to adapt, expand and be fully efficient from the moment it is installed,” says Javier Soto, Product Manager for Accessories and Jet Washes at ISTOBAL.

Total flexibility in a single structure

The modular structure adapts to different sizes and configurations according to the needs of each business. With widths ranging from 2,700 to 5,000 mm, a height of 3,600 mm and lengths from 6,400 mm, extendable using 3,200 mm modules, this solution allows multiple options to be integrated into a single structure.

These include customisable colours for cladding and canopies, perimeter LED lighting in red, green or blue, translucent polycarbonate or transparent methacrylate screens for manual washing, glass or sandwich panel partitions for automatic washing, column cladding, a panel-fitted plant room and lifeline anchors. These options allow for the creation of more recognisable, well-maintained facilities that align with each business’s image, helping to capture the user’s attention and reinforce the perception of service quality.

Compatible with photovoltaic panels

For ISTOBAL, sustainability is not just a commitment, but an opportunity to boost efficiency, optimise resources and have a positive impact on people and the environment.

The design of the new Modular enclosure is compatible with the installation of photovoltaic panels for self-consumption, allowing solar energy to be generated and utilised directly on-site. In this way, the system helps to reduce dependence on the electricity grid and optimise energy costs. This model maximises the potential of every square metre, transforming it into an efficient, sustainable energy source geared towards long-term savings.

In addition to the Modular enclosure, ISTOBAL’s range of enclosures includes the Box model and the D’TAIL Canopy, offering specific solutions in terms of durability, adaptability and aesthetics. All of these enable car wash businesses to operate more safely, efficiently and profitably, whilst enhancing the visual appeal and distinctiveness of their premises.

The ISTOBAL Group achieves a turnover of €199 million in 2025

• The company increases its turnover by 14% compared to 2024 and achieves a net profit of €9.7 million

• International expansion and strong performance in the Iberian market consolidate the Group’s global presence

• ISTOBAL’s services and chemicals continue to grow, establishing themselves as strategic drivers within its business model

ISTOBAL, the Spanish multinational and world leader in vehicle washi and care solutions, achieved a total turnover of €199 million in 2025, representing a 14% increase on the previous year, and a net profit of €9.7 million.

With an EBITDA exceeding €17 million, ISTOBAL maintains a profitability of around 9% on sales. These results are underpinned by the continuous improvement of its product range, as well as by the optimisation of the cost of sales, enabling an EBIT of €15.5 million to be achieved, 15% higher than in 2024.

International expansion as a driver of growth

The company’s growth, with a presence in over 80 countries, has been driven by a robust international expansion strategy. The opening of new subsidiaries in key markets has contributed over €41 million to the Group’s turnover and expanded ISTOBAL’s network to a total of 17 subsidiaries.

Over the last five years, the company has added eight new international subsidiaries and established a new company that integrates the entire chemical product value chain, including its own production plant. This sustained growth is underpinned by a direct sales model and customer proximity, supported by a team of over 1,200 professionals.

For its part, ISTOBAL has recorded a particularly strong performance in Iberia, its home market, where it achieved a turnover of €60 million, representing an increase of €6 million compared to 2024.

Services and chemicals take centre stage

In 2025, equipment sales remain ISTOBAL’s main line of business, with a 23% increase in turnover. However, the company is moving towards a more comprehensive offering in the field of vehicle wash and care.

In this context, services and chemical products maintain their growth trend, with increases in turnover of 20% and 22% respectively compared to 2024. These lines are establishing themselves as strategic drivers, maximising profitability and improving the customer experience.

In this context, ISTOBAL has strengthened its commitment to chemical products through its subsidiary ISTOBAL ESENS. Furthermore, the company has recently opened a new factory in Massanassa (Valencia, Spain) to double production, expand its manufacturing lines and automate processes.

In this way, ISTOBAL is consolidating an industrial model that guarantees total control of the value chain for its chemical product line. From product formulation through to manufacturing and final distribution, the company offers efficient, sustainable solutions tailored to market needs.

ISTOBAL sets out its roadmap for 2026

The 2025 financial year has been particularly significant for ISTOBAL as it coincides with the celebration of its 75th anniversary, a milestone that puts decades of innovation, international expansion and commitment to sustainability into perspective. In terms of markets, growth will be supported by the incorporation of the new subsidiary in Norway, the positive performance in France and the recovery of the American market.

This roadmap is based on the principles that have guided ISTOBAL since its inception: entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and the conviction that progress only makes sense if it is sustainable.

Driving down your fuel costs

Merridale systems are installed at over 4,000 sites throughout the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands and Holland.

Up to 400,000 vehicles fuel every day on a Merridale system.

▍Highest build quality

▍Designed to last a minimum of 10 Years

▍Meets ATEX for diesel standards where applicable

▍Optional reporting software

▍Accurate, robust, reliable and up-gradable

▍UK designed, developed and manufactured and dispensers, fuel storage tanks, tank gauges and fuel management software for client and web-based solutions.

Ltd

Merridale

Merridale

Protecting Paradise: How KPS Delivers Safe, Resilient Fueling Across the Maldives

KPS’s advanced conductive HDPE piping is helping the Maldives deploy 18 island fuel stations that safeguard marine life, support fishermen, and raise the standard for safe fuel infrastructure. When the Maldives launched its nationwide programme to build 18 new public fuel locations for maritime vessels, one for every atoll, the mission extended beyond improving access to affordable fuel for fishermen. With KPS selected as a key partner, supported locally by ECHOES Enterprises, the project also became a commitment to protect one of the world’s most fragile marine environments while delivering essential infrastructure.

From the start, Fuel Supply Maldives (FSM) and the State Trading Organisation (STO) faced a challenge unique to island nations: how to safely transport fuel in an environment where salt water, coral ecosystems, shallow lagoons, and diverse marine life leave no room for error. Their solution had to be corrosion-free, ecologically safe, reliable for decades, and fast to install; all while preventing leaks that could devastate local reefs and water layers.

The solution

The Maldives’ unique geography posed a significant challenge for this project. Not only can constant exposure to saltwater lead to corrosion, ruptures, and leaks in traditional pipeline systems, but any such failure could inflict irreversible damage on the nation’s fragile marine and coastal ecosystems.

KPS’s conductive HDPE piping system mitigates those risks. Lightweight, corrosion-free, and engineered for zero permeation, the piping across all 18 FSM/STO sites is designed to transfer fuel safely, without contamination of sea water, beaches, lagoons, or groundwater.

Each site is equipped with:

• 2” (75/63 mm) double wall piping from tank to filling point;

• 2” (63 mm) single wall piping for dispensing lines; and

• 1” (32 mm) single wall piping for vent lines.

Unlike traditional HDPE, KPS’s conductive variant mitigates static build-up, a requirement typically only achievable with metal. This innovation allowed STO to transition away from rust prone steel without compromising safety.

The result? A fuel system that:

• Withstands harsh marine conditions;

• Eliminates corrosion risks;

• Minimises maintenance over decades; and

• Protects both operators and the environment.

All installations meet EN 14125, EN 13163 1, ATEX 137 (directive 1999/92/EC) alongside multiple country specific certifications, for long term performance and safety. At a time when environmental scrutiny is at an all time high, the Maldives has embraced a fuel infrastructure solution designed to minimise risk and protect sensitive marine ecosystems.

Island-wide coordination

Delivering 18 fueling stations across a chain of dispersed islands required coordination that stretches far beyond product performance. KPS partnered closely with ECHOES Enterprises, the parent company of DIESELINE, whose certified installers carry out each project with precision. KPS’s compact electrofusion fittings make installation faster and more predictable, a key factor in meeting the national rollout timeline.

To guarantee consistency across every atoll, KPS’s own Oscar Garcia, EMEA Sales Manager, provided onsite support and installer training, further strengthening Maldives’ local technical capability.

“Our partnership with OPW/KPS has been very fruitful thus far, with them providing us with training, design knowledge of the products and licensing our staff for certified installations. Together with KPS’s patented conductivity throughout its pipelines, their HDPE piping provides the safest and most reliable pipelines for the Maldive Islands. It will prevail over any metal substitutes, any day and we are excited for 2026 and beyond with OPW/KPS,” says Mohamed Althaf, Managing Director, ECHOES Enterprises.

Setting a new standard

For the Maldives, this project represents more than infrastructure. It’s a way of supporting fishermen, strengthening local economies, and preserving the natural environment that defines the nation’s identity and tourism industry.

Despite logistical complexities, from transporting materials between atolls to adapting to site-specific marine conditions, the programme’s first installation was completed ahead of schedule in time for the Presidential ceremony.

On December 13, 2025, Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the first site on Dhuvaafaru Island, marking the successful opening of a programme that relies on a single, critical component: KPS’s conductive HDPE piping systems.

“KPS and their partnership with ECHOES Enterprises in the Maldives have proven to be highly successful and constructive. The introduction of conductive HDPE pipeline systems has been transformative for the fuel industry, and we are extremely satisfied with the level of professionalism, technical competence, and attention to detail demonstrated by both KPS and ECHOES teams,” adds Mohamed Shuaib Ahmed, Director of Energy at State Trade Organisation.

For KPS, the project showcases what environmentally responsible engineering can achieve, even in the world’s most challenging coastal environments. With 18 sites scheduled for completion by March 2026, the Maldives is setting a new regional benchmark for maritime fuel safety and environmental protection.

To learn more about KPS’s piping systems and their full portfolio of solutions, please visit the KPS website.

Titan Cloud expands European fuel network through partnerships with Petrotec & Petroassist

New agreements in Portugal and the UK & Ireland extend advanced fuel analytics and service capabilities to operators across key fuel markets

Titan Cloud, the leading AI-driven data platform for Energy Asset Optimization, today announced strategic partnerships with Petrotec in Portugal and Petroassist in the United Kingdom and Ireland, expanding access to its fuel analytics platform across key European fuel markets.

The agreements come as fuel operators worldwide increase investment in digital technologies to improve fuel inventory control, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The global fuel management systems market was valued at approximately $4.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass $10 billion over the next decade, reflecting growing demand for data-driven fuel operations.

Titan Cloud’s AI-driven platform for downstream energy operations enables operators to manage fuel logistics, monitor fuel and non-fuel assets such as EV charging, and detect operational issues across their networks. Its end-to-end Energy Asset Optimization platform brings together analytics, logistics, maintenance, and compliance in a single system used by operators in more than 65 countries worldwide.

In Portugal, Titan Cloud has entered into a reseller agreement with Petrotec, a leading manufacturer of forecourt systems. Under the agreement, Petrotec will market, sell, and support Titan Cloud’s Energy Asset Optimization platform, including Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR) and fuel analytics solutions trusted by operators to detect discrepancies, improve inventory accuracy, and strengthen oversight across fuel networks. “Petrotec has deep relationships with fuel operators in Portugal and a strong reputation in the market,” said Mike Edwards, Vice President of Partnerships at Titan Cloud. “Together we can bring operators the analytics and visibility they need to better understand fuel performance across their sites and address issues before they impact operations.”

“Our customers are looking for better visibility in their fuel operations and faster ways to identify issues across their sites,” added Gonçalo Marques, Europe Sales Director, Operating Companies at Petrotec. “Partnering with Titan Cloud allows us

to combine our forecourt technology expertise with proven fuel analytics, giving operators the visibility they need to monitor inventory more closely and run their networks with greater confidence.” In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Titan Cloud and Petroassist are partnering on a joint go-to-market strategy. Petroassist is a leader in maintenance and service operations for fuel retailers. The companies will co-sell Titan Cloud’s fuel analytics solutions while combining Titan Cloud’s data intelligence with Petroassist’s field service expertise. By integrating Titan Cloud’s wetstock analytics platform into Petroassist’s maintenance workflows, technicians can diagnose issues before arriving on site, enabling faster repairs, first-time fixes, and fewer repeat service visits. “Data is only valuable when it delivers both insight and action,” said Bruno Teixeira, Managing Director at Petroassist. “With Titan Cloud’s analytics and our service teams working together, we can see issues sooner, understand exactly what’s happening at a site, and arrive ready to address it – reducing downtime for operators.”

About Titan Cloud Titan Cloud delivers the leading Energy Asset Optimization platform, helping customers cut fuel supply and logistics costs, reduce environmental compliance risk, lower maintenance spend, and optimize EV networks and charging assets. Trusted by leading brands in retail petroleum and commercial fleets, Titan monitors 50% of U.S. consumer gasoline throughput across more than 100,000 facilities. This global network powers rich data and analytics that help customers manage risk and improve performance across fuel and EV assets. Founded in 2012, Titan Cloud serves more than 800 customers in over 65 countries. Learn more at www.titancloud.com.

About Petrotec

Petrotec is a manufacturer of equipment and technology for the fuel retail and distribution industry. With more than 40 years of engineering experience, the company develops and produces fuel dispensers, payment and automation systems, and other forecourt technologies used by service stations worldwide. Headquartered in Portugal, the Petrotec Group operates internationally with multiple companies and industrial units supporting fuel, electric mobility, and hydrogen infrastructure across the mobility value chain. Learn more at: www.petrotec. com.

About Petroassist

Petroassist provides maintenance, engineering, and technical services for fuel retail infrastructure. As part of the Petrotec Group, the company supports fuel retailers and energy companies with installation, maintenance, and operational services for forecourt equipment and site systems, helping ensure reliable and efficient service station operations. Learn more at: www.petroassist.com.

PROFITS AND PEOPLE

Award-winning forecourt protection systems proven to reduce crime, protect operator profitability and make forecourts safer for customers and staff.

VARS ANPR

• Prevents drive-offs before they happen

• Sites are protected from a national blacklist of 100,000 known offenders

VARS Tablet

• Simple and easy reporting for Drive Offs and No Means of Payment

• Highest recovery rates in the industry

VARS FACE

• Staff are alerted to problem individuals as soon as they enter the premises

Branches Eastern Branch

The Changing Face of Petrol Station Equipment

A genuinely remarkable visit last month by a few APEA Eastern Branch members to a private museum in Italy dedicated to the history of petrol station equipment.

Little did I know, all those months ago when Jamie Thompson suggested this as a “must-see”, just how worthwhile the trip would be. Conveniently, the relatively short flight to Italy, albeit an early departure, made for an easy journey.

We also took the opportunity to visit Elaflex Italy, where we saw the ELAFLEX hose reel production and the wide range of bespoke Integrated Hose Reel Systems they manufacture, in virtually any colour of your choice. A little like Ferrari, with the many red hose reels on display. And yes, we even managed to squeeze in a visit to the Ferrari museum as well.

The Fisogni Museum collection, started in the 1960s by an industry entrepreneur, is now recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest of its kind in the world. Originally located near Milan, it was relocated and reopened in 2015 at Villa Castiglioni Fisogni in Tradate, in the province of Varese, northern Italy, where it is now preserved and displayed in extraordinary detail.

The museum takes you on a journey through the evolution of our industry, complemented by some wonderful associated artwork:

• Early petrol sales via pharmacists using glass bottles

• Gravity-fed pumps and fully manual dispensing systems

• The transition to electric pumps in the 1930s, including Bowser, Tokheim, Gilbarco, Bennett and many more

• The introduction of automatic nozzles, including well-known names such as OPW and ZVA

• The evolution of vapour recovery, blending systems, and modern forecourt technology

Alongside the engineering progression, the museum captures the commercial and cultural side of the sector, as well as one or two historical figures whose ambitions did not succeed.

The commercial artwork is particularly fascinating, offering a snapshot of society at the time:

• Original branding from Shell, BP, Esso, Mobil and others

• The development of iconic logos such as the Michelin “Bibendum” and ENI’s six-legged dog

• Thousands of promotional items, tools, and forecourt artefacts

• Insights into how political and social factors influenced fuel marketing across Europe

For anyone involved in fuel handling, distribution, or forecourt equipment, it is difficult not to see this as something of a “Mecca”. It reinforces just how much innovation, adaptation, and history sits behind what is often taken for granted today.

Our guide provided an insightful and generous tour, and our thanks go to the owner Mr Fisogni for preserving such an important part of our forecourt equipment and artefacts industry’s heritage.

Visits like this are a useful reminder of the engineering, the science, and the visionaries behind our industry, and the importance of understanding where we have come from. The discovery of oil has been instrumental in many of the benefits we enjoy today.

Will EV ever achieve such iconic status, or provoke the same thrills and excitement as the sound of a V12 engine? I, for one, doubt it.

Anton Martiniussen Hon Secretary & Treasurer Eastern Branch

May 2026

APEA Training

The APEA organise a range of training courses on a variety of topics in line with our objectives:

• The advancement of scientific and technical knowledge.

• The supply and interchange of information.

• Uniformity of standards, interpretation and application.

The courses are designed to satisfy the requirements of those who are new to the areas concerned or wish to become more familiar with particular aspects of Service Station design and enforcement.

Each course in the current list will be based on the Guidance for Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations.

In Person Training Courses 2026

PFS, Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 (PCR 14)

2nd September 2026 - Stansted Airport

This course has been designed to explain the application of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 (known as PCR 14)

£330.00 - Non-member price

£280.00 - Member price

2 Day Electrical Installations, An Awareness

8th & 9th September 2026 - Swindon

This course is essential for those requiring a greater understanding of electrical systems in a hazardous area and for those that design, audit, install or inspect.

£690.00 - £790.00 - Non-member prices

£590.00 - £690.00 - Member prices

3 Day Petrol Filling Stations –

Combined Construction, Audit and Inspection Course

7th - 9th September 2026 - Stansted Airport

This course has been designed as a refresher course for those returning to Petroleum Inspection or for those seeking a “Fast Track” initial basic training as a petroleum inspector.

£960 - £1,170 - Non-member prices

£860 - £1,070 - Member prices

In Person Training Courses 2026

PFS, Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)

10th September 2026 - Stansted Airport

This course has been designed to explain the application of the Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (known as DSEAR)

£330 - Non-member price

£280 - Member price

Wetstock Management

17th September 2026 - Stansted Airport

This course is designed to provide a working knowledge of Wetstock Management best practice methods for those who manage service stations.

£330 - Non-member price

£280 - Member price

Explosives and Fireworks

25th September 2026 - Stansted Airport

This course is essential for those involved with explosives and fireworks.

£330 - Non-member Prices

£280 - Member price

NOTE: If there is enough interest in a particular course (not necessarily bespoke) then further dates can be arranged.

Online Training Courses

The Association for Petroleum & Explosives Administration and Olive Group have partnered to launch a new online training platform, available for purchase by all association members.

APEA’s training platform consists of courses targeting compliance in Petroleum & Explosive Administration including:

● Key Areas of the Filling Station

● The Future of Fuel

● Drainage Principles

● Road Tanker Delivery & Consignor Requirements

● Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulation 2014

● Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation 2002

● Preparing for Inspection

● The Red Guide Professionally accredited and supported by advanced technology, these courses deliver consistent, cost-effective training using video, motion graphics, and gamification to boost engagement and retention. Accessible 24/7 on mobile devices, tablets, or smartphones, they can be completed in one session or over time. On completion, delegates gain the essential knowledge to perform duties at petrol filling stations or enforce petroleum legislation effectively.

Bespoke Training Courses

If you cannot attend any courses listed on the APEA training course list above, the APEA can arrange bespoke courses for your staff to be held at your offices. Just email us on admin@apea.org.uk and state which courses interest you, the number of delegates and preferred dates.

If you can provide the venue, refreshments, and lunch for the delegates, discounts on the usual APEA training rates will be included.

All training courses can be booked via the APEA website - https://apea.org.uk/training/ For any assistance or further information, please contact our secretariat at 0345 603 5507

If you are not a member, please complete the online membership application on the APEA website before purchasing a training course or a publication to benefit from member discounts.

Training Reports

3 Day PFS Combined Construction, Audit and Inspection Training Course in Manchester

Michael O Connell – Chairman Training Committee

In April, the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) delivered its Petrol Filling Stations –Combined Construction, Audit and Inspection Course at the Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport. The course was well attended by delegates from across the UK – including England, Wales, Scotland, the Channel Islands, and Northern Ireland – as well as international attendees from Ghana.

The course was very well received by delegates from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including Local Authorities (PO/TSO/EHO), PFS Facilities Management, Fire and Rescue Services, Government Departments, PFS Design (Architecture), Oil Companies, and Driver Training Companies.

The training course was held in the Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport and covered all legislative, operational, safety, and maintenance requirements associated with fuelling infrastructure and petrol filling stations. It also included a desktop risk assessment exercise based on a fuel station, using a variety of scenarios. This proved particularly valuable, as it drew on the diverse expertise of the attendees while reinforcing the knowledge gained during the course.

In addition, a site visit and inspection at a local Sainsbury’s fuel station allowed participants to put much of the course content into practice. During this exercise, both above- and below-

ground aspects of the fuel station infrastructure were reviewed and discussed. The site was especially suitable for this purpose, as it featured double-skin tanks and pipework, along with Class 2 and Class 3 leak detection systems.

The course then concluded with exams – which thankfully everyone passed! and the presentation of Certificates.

Belgrade Training

By Jamie Thompson – Technical Committee Chair

In May, this year APEA delivered a four-day course for the Hellenic Petroleum Group in Belgrade for twenty-six employees of that group who came from Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Skopje, Macedonia, and Serbia.

The course covered one day for Petrol station Risk Assessment, and a three-day Construction and Environmental Awareness, Audit and Inspection especially adapted for the country needs.

The course was well received by the delegates, and we found as the course progressed it encouraged discussion as different challenges for petrol station design has now to meet both Environmental and Fire and Safety concerns.

Included in the course was a site inspection of a petrol station and a full site inspection was made of a filling station that had within the last five years been upgraded to include Double wall tanks with Class 1 leak detection, along with non-metallic pipe complying with European standards.

Slightly differing local regulations in those countries made the inspection and the outcomes interesting and we all took something away from the course.

Here the offset fill pipes for the tanks with the tank numbers, grades and also the capacity. This site has stage 1b vapour recovery connections rather smaller than we are used to and also involves Diesel which we do not normally include in Europe.

The Class 1 Leak Detection unit for the double wall tanks and delegates discussing what fire fighting equipment was needed at this site.

The electrical connections within the shop had vapour detectors and automatic extinguishers.

All delegates completed the four-day course and passed the test papers

Delegates carrying out a risk assessment.