Malton family fuel company acquired by Rix Petroleum

A family fuel company in Malton has been sold to Rix Petroleum, a fifth-generation family business headquartered in Hull.

Stones Fuel Oils, based on York Road Industry Estate, has been owned and run by businessman Geoff Stones for more than 50 years, having been started by his father before him.

The company was bought by Rix Petroleum earlier this month, after Geoff decided to retire aged 74.

Geoff said: “I have run Stones Fuel Oils – initially with my father – for about fifty years now, and it seems the right time to step back and take life a little more steadily.

“After much thought, I have decided to sell the fuel oil side of the operation to Rix Petroleum, another family-owned and locally-based business. I am confident that they will maintain the high standard of customer service that we have aimed to give, and will offer competitive prices.”

The move extends Rix Petroleum’s coverage further into North Yorkshire, enabling the company to service as far north as Whitby and west to Northallerton and Ripon.

All Stones Fuel Oils staff, including tanker drivers and office workers, have been retained by Rix Petroleum, and another tanker is to be stationed at the depot, bringing the fleet to three.

Duncan Lambert, managing director of Rix Petroleum, commented: “Stones Fuel Oils is a fantastic and well-run family business that has a very loyal customer base. It is a credit to Geoff and his father that it is held in such high regard.

“Like Rix, Stones Fuel Oils has built its reputation on true family values of fairness and offering a quality, personal service. Those values form the core of Rix Petroleum too and we fully intend to honour them at our new Malton depot.”

Mr Lambert added that the company would continue to provide domestic heating oil, commercial diesel and associated products to local farmers, businesses and rural households.

But he said they would extend the product range and introduce other services as well.

He added: “We provide an extensive range of agricultural lubricants in our other depots which we will be selling on a cash and carry basis in Malton. We’ll also stock 25 litre drums of domestic kerosene and gas oil in case of emergencies.

“As a part of the wider group, we provide home oil boiler and Aga Cooker servicing, breakdown and repair, so we will be offering those too, meaning we will be providing a full range of home heating services to households in and around the Malton area.”

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