Crown Oil Group expands following major £14m oil supplier acquisition

Crown Oil Group has strengthened its brand in the South after acquiring a family-owned and managed oil supplier.

The £300m turnover business, headquartered in Bury, Greater Manchester, has completed the purchase of Birlem Oil for an undisclosed sum.

The deal for the Tottenham-based company was completed through Crown’s Speedy Fuels and Lubricants business, which operates from London.

Birlem, which has been run by the Buckley family for more than 50 years, turns over £14m and will take the head count at the family-owned Crown Oil Group to 1,500.

Matthew Greensmith, managing director of Crown Oil Group, said: “We are delighted with the acquisition of Birlem, which gives greater coverage in the South East to our Speedy brand.

“We have worked with the Buckley family for a number of years and they share the same values as us, so the business was a natural fit for the group.

“The business has been left in strong health and we look forward to building on that success in the future.”

The deal will expand the presence of Speedy in the South East and cement the future of Birlem for years to come.

It will give Speedy three depots in the east, west and north of London, from which it supplies diesel, red diesel, fuels and lubricants to businesses in industries from construction to leisure.

The two businesses previously worked together until the opportunity arose for the acquisition. As part of the deal, Birlem operations director Kirk Buckley will remain with the business to ensure a smooth transition.

Kirk Buckley added: “Speedy has been a valued partner of Birlem for a number of years so it seemed only right that the business should continue its journey under its care.

“We are pleased to have been able to reach a deal with Crown Oil Group and the Greensmith family and look forward to watching Birlem go from strength to strength under their ownership.”

Crown Oil Group also offers fuel related environmental services and has interests in utilities connections, gas supply and uPVC building products. Established more than 70 years ago by the Greensmith family, it now employs 1,500 people.