In Conversation
Keeping it in the family
HAVING NOT ONLY MADE A NAME CHANGE TO BETTER REFLECT ITS NATIONWIDE BUSINESS AND APPOINTED A NEW MANAGING
DIRECTOR, HALSO UK FUELS (FORMERLY HALSO PETROLEUM) ALSO CELEBRATED ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2017
Fuel Oil News editor Jane Hughes went to meet
the new managing director, Emma Osborn,
daughter of chairman Paul Osborn, and the
Halso team at the company’s Lichfield depot.
The original business was started in
1967 by Emma’s grandfather Sid Osborn and
two partners, with the Halso name being an
amalgamation of the trio’s initials. Sid, an Esso
representative, bought out his partners but
sadly died suddenly, leaving Paul, who joined
the family business aged 19 and his sister Sue
in charge. After his father’s untimely death,
it was a big step up for Paul, who had initially
worked on routing before qualifying as a driver.
Some years back Paul spotted a niche
opportunity to supply 24/7 emergency fuels to
companies reliant on generators.
“Orders came in by fax with dad doing the
deliveries,” said Emma.
“Very soon the fax was full of requests
for emergency deliveries with dad quick to
appreciate the all-year-round nature of this
work.
Starting at the bottom, Emma made the
tea before joining her father and mother Julie
in the business full-time aged 17.
Emma has fond memories of her father
waking her up to drive down to London at 4am
12 Fuel Oil News | January 2018
to supply fuel to Wembley Stadium.
“That really made me interested in the
industry and I’ve been enjoying every moment
since,” said Emma.
“There’s not an office job that Emma
can’t do or help to train staff in,” said
operations director Duncan Arthur who joined
from one of Halso’s blue-chip customers.
Generating business – it’s all hands to
the pump
“Whilst we aim for a same day/next day
service with most work, supplying emergency
generators means fuel may be needed within
the hour, so we must be very proactive,”
explained Emma.
“Especially when critical generators, such
as those used by life support machines, may
need continual filling.”
A recent power cut in their local area saw
three drivers working over a 24-hour period to
supply sub-station generators, with deliveries
made quicker than paperwork was raised. To
better assist the drivers Emma went out to
locate all the generators.
Last year Halso even fuelled the
generators at Birmingham’s Christmas market
on Christmas Day and Boxing Day!
Using a Hiab vehicle, 2,000 litre Trans
Fuel Cubes for fuel storage can be hired out to
customers. A specially designed trailer enables
the Cube to roll off onto the ground without
scratching tarmac or concrete. A fuel up-lift
service is also available.
“Supplying a Cube to a remote location is
very helpful because we then know the exact
position,” added Duncan.
“The internet has also helped as it allows
us to pinpoint locations with greater accuracy.”
Business expansion
“My dad’s enthusiasm to build up the business
and grab opportunities has made me want to
do the same,” added Emma.
In 2014 Halso started supplying fuel for
generators at festivals around the UK, work
that can occupy two men and two tankers a
full week.
“It’s a real privilege to do festivals –
working through the night often at weekends
and bank holidays, all work is done before
people wake up ensuring that festival goers
have no idea what goes on behind the
scenes. There’s an art to fuelling these sites,
particularly as access was really tightened up
after the Manchester Arena bomb in May.