The Rondel Group is putting together a management team to drive a new year launch of its Mapleleaf fuel distribution and fascia brand, in what one leading industry commentator describes as a “bold and disruptive” step.
Forecourt Trader revealed in February that the petrol station operator was building an in-house transport company, Mapleleaf Petroleum, near one of the UK’s major inland storage and distribution oil terminals, at Kingsbury near Tamworth.
As well as its own sites taking the Mapleleaf shop and forecourt branding it plans to recruit other independent operators to sign up for fuel deliveries direct from its business as well as displaying its colours on their petrol stations.
The business, which is also looking at launching a pump maintenance and supply service, hopes the fascia will go live by May next year on dealer sites.
In recent months it has been recruiting at pace, with its most significant appointment forecourt veteran Earle Gregory. Gregory, who has 50 years’ industry experience, has been taken on full-time to help run the day-to-day operation.
Gregory, who built a network of 18 forecourts with former business partner Keith Gratrix from 1995 to 2017, withdrew from owning his own sites in November 2024 when he sold Ansdell Filling Station in St Anne’s, Lancashire to the Shinon Group.
Since then, Gregory, has remained in the industry, working closely with consultant Colin Duckworth on buying and selling property.
Another recent addition is Darren Fulcher, formerly retail area manager with Harvest Energy, and with experience at Costcutter and Co-op. Fulcher has become head of forecourt retail stores.
And a month ago Bryon Barker, formerly with Essar, was appointed head of commercial fuel and dealer sales for Mapleleaf Petroleum. He said at the time: “I’m thrilled to officially step up and lead this initiative from the front lines.
“We are building something transformative, fast-moving, and ambitious – and today marks the start. The strategy is set, the momentum is real, and I can’t wait to share more details soon.”
The Rondel Group is tight-lipped about revealing further details. While it has only soft-launched the business, its directors noted on Linkedin a month ago that they had already reached 1,000 fuel drops. And Mapleleaf Group operations director Shane Bowering, who joined a year ago, has said on the networking site that the business is available for spot fuel and commercial supplies.
A seasoned industry watcher, who has worked for fuel companies supplying forecourt sectors, believes Rondel is making an audacious move by launching into a challenging part of the market.
“They are increasing headcount very quickly and I hope they can justify the cost,” he says. ”There are big challenges in fuel distribution, with businesses who have been doing this for years struggling to make money and to get service levels right. It is a bold and disruptive step.”
