Rix & Kay advise on sale of independent, Kent-based fuel distributor to National provider

Rix & Kay advice on sale of independent, Kent-based fuel distributor to National provider

Rix & Kay’s Corporate Team, led by Consultant Alan Zeal and supported by Danial Halls, has completed the sale of the entire trade and assets of the family-owned fuel distributor Geoff Boorman Fuels to national fuel distributor, NWF.

The sale of Geoff Boorman Fuels

Founded in 1993 by husband and wife team Geoff Boorman and Kay Maxted, Geoff Boorman Fuels has become a leading distributor of fuel to homes and farms throughout Kent, Sussex and Surrey. The sale to NWF will see the wider team remain as the foundation of the business in Edenbridge, Kent.

NWF was founded in 1871 and is the third largest fuel distributor in the UK with a turnover of £350 million. The company maintains a modern fleet of over 155 vehicles and operates from an extensive local depot network, strategically located across England and Wales. The acquisition of Geoff Boorman Fuels is the latest of NWF’s ongoing growth strategy and builds on their successful acquisition and integration of 18 fuel companies into the business in the last 27 years.

Alan Zeal, who led the deal on behalf of Geoff Boorman and Kay Maxted commented,

“Geoff Boorman Fuels is an absolute success story and one that should inspire all entrepreneurs and family owned businesses and start-ups. From humble beginnings as a tanker drive, Geoff Boorman and his wife Kay, have created a leading fuel distributor that has grown by developing an outstanding reputation for service. The deal has been a pleasure to work on and I’m proud to add another family owned business transaction to Rix & Kay’s credentials”.

NWF Fuels Sales Director, Mark Adcock said,

“We are delighted to welcome the team at Geoff Boorman Fuels to the NWF Fuels family. Geoff and Kay have a successfully built the business over the last 30 years and we are pleased they chose NWF Fuels to carry on developing the reputation and growth of the business over the coming years.

We remain focused on acquiring established businesses with a strong local reputation, a great team and a proven track record of delivering exceptional service to customers. Geoff Boorman Fuels more than meets this criteria, and we are excited to welcome them into the NWF Fuels family”.

Geoff Boorman said,

“I was a tanker driver for a local fuel company many years ago, Kay and I decided to start the business 30 years ago when we saw customers were not receiving good, reliable service. We bought a second-hand tanker and started the business and over the years I even built a few tankers! We never expected the business to get to the size we have, but we just found that more and more customers wanted good, reliable service so we kept taking on more customers and more tankers.

When we decided to sell the business, we wanted to ensure our staff were looked after and that our good name and reputation was protected. After meeting NWF Fuels we decided they would ensure this could happen, we are delighted the team and business will remain locally and continue to deliver locally”.

About the teams

Rix & Kay’s Corporate Team was led by Alan Zeal and was comprised of Daniel Halls, Corporate Solicitor and the firm’s Employment team.

Innovation Capital provided lead advisory services with Lakeview Chartered Accountants also advising the sellers. Brabners (legal) advised NWF.