An acquisition deal involving two leading fuel distributors on the South Coast has been unveiled.
WP Group – www.wpgroup.com – headquartered near Southampton – has taken over Upton Oil Company, which has depots in Poole, Dorchester, Ringwood and Brockenhurst, for an undisclosed sum.
The tie-up with fellow independent Upton Oil Company – www.uptonoil.co.uk – brings the new combined fleet of fuel tankers to more than 40, along with 75 staff, covering a territory stretching from Dorset to Sussex and up to London.
David Fairchild, Managing Director of WP Group, which is the supplier and support provider to thousands of businesses and householders, stressed that Upton Oil Company’s customers will receive a seamless service from the new owner.
He said: “This acquisition is beneficial for both parties as it brings together a wealth of experience and knowledge from both sides.
“I have always respected Upton Oil Company’s customer loyalty and hope to further improve the service they receive by utilising WP Group’s extensive infrastructure across the South Coast.
“The business will continue trade under the long-established Upton Oil Company brand and will service the existing customer base, who will not notice any disruption to normal service.
“The WP team is confident this new acquisition will further enhance WP Group’s growing reputation as one the UK’s leading independent fuel and lubricant companies.”
Family-run Upton Oil Company, with 75 years’ experience, specialises in supplying a local, friendly service to heating oil users, the farming community and commercial customers.
The firm also sells a wide range of lubricants and offers a tank replacement service; sales and distribution staff are all situated at the head office in Upton, Poole.
WP Group, headquartered at Esso’s Fawley refinery on the Waterside, has a history dating back more than 50 years and continues to grow under the ownership of the Fairchild family.
Since rebranding in January 2011, WP Group continues to increase its presence across the South Coast by offering a leading service in each of its markets – industrial, aviation, agricultural, heating, automotive, commercial, motorsport and marine.
The acquisition was done by Wessex Petroleum Limited trading as WP Group.
