Scottish fuel distributor Highland Fuels has grown its business with the acquisition of Carnegie Fuels.
Highland, which counts 11 depots, 16 filling stations and 50 tankers in its portfolio, was founded in 1957s and is the country’s largest independent fuel distributor.
Carnegie, meanwhile, was also founded in the 1950s. David McKenzie Carnegie, grandfather of the firm’s erstwhile owners, began trading as a distributor for Esso before the company became independent in the 1980s. It is based in Brechin in the east of Scotland, predominantly serving local businesses.
The “carefully considered” partnership is said to have been driven by a “strong cultural alignment” between the two companies, with Highland Fuel’s employee-owned structure playing a significant role in the Carnegie family’s decision to sell. The firm will continue to operate under its current name and management structure, with Ryan Carnegie appointed as director, and Kevin and Rosie Carnegie “supporting a smooth transition”.
Stephen Rhodes, managing director at Highland Fuels calls the acquisition a “very positive step for both businesses and for the communities we serve”, adding that the deal “lays a strong foundation for operational continuity and sustainable growth”.
Kevin Carnegie says the family “wanted to ensure that our team, many of whom have been with us for years, are looked after not just today but into the future”, adding that “joining an employee-owned company like Highland Fuels gives them that stability and a real stake in what comes next”.
