Highland Fuels buys Carnegie Fuels in start of 'new chapter'
'The decision by the Carnegie family to entrust Highland Fuels with the future of the business follows an extensive sale process. Highland Fuels was selected as the preferred partner due to a strong cultural alignment, shared ethos, and a longstanding reputation for service excellence and community focus.'
Highland Fuels became employee-owned in August 2023, and this played a key part in the deal, with the Carnegie Fuels leadership highlighting the importance of ensuring the employees of the Brechin-based business were "looked after" by a new owner.
Commenting on behalf of Carnegie Fuels, Kevin Carnegie said: 'This [employee ownership] was a key factor in our decision. We 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. Joining an employee-owned company like Highland Fuels gives them that stability and a real stake in what comes next.'
Highland Fuels said: 'Carnegie Fuels has built a legacy of reliability, trust and local service - qualities that strongly reflect Highland Fuels' own values as a customer-centric and employee-focused company.'
It added that, as part of the transaction, Carnegie Fuels would 'continue to operate under its established name and management structure', with Ryan Carnegie appointed as director and Kevin and Rosie Carnegie 'supporting a smooth transition'.
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Highland Fuels describes itself as 'Scotland's leading independent fuel distributor', operating 11 depots, 16 petrol stations and a fleet of 50 road tankers serving the country. It has 260 employees based across operations which stretch from Lerwick in Shetland to Manchester.
Stephen Rhodes, managing director of Highland Fuels, said: 'This is a very positive step for both businesses and for the communities we serve. We're honoured to be continuing the Carnegie legacy and welcoming the team into the Highland Fuels family. This partnership is built on shared values and a commitment to long-term success."
He added: "This transaction lays a strong foundation for operational continuity and sustainable growth, delivered with a focus on people, communities, and service excellence. Highland Fuels and Carnegie Fuels share a deep-rooted commitment to professionalism, integrity and reliability. By uniting the strengths of the two companies customers can be confident in a trusted energy partner that is well equipped to meet Scotland's evolving energy needs - today and into the future.'
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