In Conversation
In Conversation
LOCAL , KNOWLEDGEABLE AND RELIABLE
Cont / d from page 9
What methods of marketing are being used to raise the company ’ s profile and what has been the reception ? “ Years ago marketing meant the Yellow Pages – build up a good rapport with the rep and make sure your well-placed advert looked the part – how times have changed !
“ You not only need an online presence yourself , you also have to consider the presence of the online sellers that have entered the market .
“ Social media has been embraced by Andrea who manages our Twitter and Facebook . Our website will soon be fully transactional with customer log-ons allowing us to take online orders for the domestic market in particular , with commercial customers also able to access their accounts .” The team has put in a considerable amount of face to face contact time which has proved particularly fruitful .
“ We ’ ve distributed literally thousands of leaflets by hand giving us the chance to talk to hundreds of domestic , agricultural and commercial customers . These conversations always come back to the need for a fuel supplier to be ‘ local , knowledgeable and reliable ’ – exactly what we believe we are .
“ These actions have prompted calls on a daily basis – it ’ s remarkable how effective word of mouth remains in rural areas .”
‘ Ordered oil from Quad Fuels on Tuesday at 10.00am , it was delivered at 12.30pm . How ’ s that for service ! Well done guys .’ “ Where we can we will deliver this standard of service ,” said Anthony .
“ Having local offices to answer every aspect of a customer ’ s query our aim is to always be extremely responsive . If we can shuffle deliveries around or fill a gap on a truck we always will .
“ Other companies may have far greater resources and purchase fuels at better rates but we ’ ll always turn things around faster .
“ You only have to look at the pricing structures of online companies to realise that they regard this level of service counts as premium and , one that attracts a higher price .”
What have been the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects in setting up this new business ? “ Initially , having no wet depots and running an over the hill fleet of tankers ! What is rewarding after only a short trading period is filling those 6 vehicles everyday – a testament to the knowledge and expertise of our staff .
“ Opening the gates on that very first morning was equally challenging as the realisation of the investment hits you – tankers , depots , staff , IT , knowledge , expertise and passion – but no customers other than some promises . Translating that into orders and cash in the bank over the weeks that followed has been rewarding .
What do you value most about working for yourselves ? “ As a group of directors , the buck stops with us ; there ’ s no prospect of being over-ruled by a higher authority or having to implement decisions you don ’ t believe in . We all get on well and we share the same objectives .”
Is there any aspect about the wider fuel oil distribution industry that you would wish to change ? “ There are aspects I don ’ t care for but we have little control over this industry . We trade in a market which sells a global commodity that ’ s highly taxed by our national government . Room for manoeuvre is limited but it ’ s the small things that make a difference .
“ The recent anti-diesel sentiment worries me but it ’ s up to us as a body to resist it .”
Never say no Our mantra is ‘ never say no ’ when you can say ‘ yes but ….
“ Not being new kids on the block helps – many customers already knew the four of us or another staff member .
“ We ’ re a local supplier building a new brand that is synonymous with reliability and service – it won ’ t happen overnight but we ’ ve come a long way already .”
At the Wrexham depot ( l-r ) Graham Roberts , Steve Forkin , Wayne Edwards , Charlie Hughes-Lloyd and Lynda McKenzie
Fuel Oil News | April 2017 23