J.R. Rix & Sons: Our History
Fuelmate is owned by Hull-based family firm J R Rix & Sons. The company has a rich history stretching back more than 125 years. JR Rix & Sons was ranked number 59 in the Sunday Times Top Track 250 awards in 2011 and has consistently featured in this list for over the last 10 years.
1800 - 1920
The origins of the Rix name are lost in the mists of time, but it is believed that the company dates back to the early 19th Century when a legendary sea Captain and Merchant Adventurer called Robert Rix traded out of the Port of Hull.
The Rix maritime tradition continues to this day with a fleet of coastal dry cargo vessels trading across the North Sea and into the Baltic.
1920 - 1940
The present day Rix success story starts in 1927 with Robert Rix and Sons importing tractor vaporising oil for the post war agricultural revolution.
Lamp oil, packed in oak casks was also carried from Russia to the Humber on Rix ships.
1940 - 1950
The company's first major expansion occurred at the end of the Second World War with the easing of wartime restrictions on the sale of oil and petrol.
Robert Rix’s eldest son John Robert Rix, the Grandfather of the present Chairman, formed J. R. Rix and Sons to supply agricultural and commercial diesel customers throughout Yorkshire’s East Riding. "Old Man Robert" as he was fondly called also established petrol filling stations in the Hull area.
1950 - 1990
Rix enjoyed another major growth surge during the 1950's and 1960's, brought on by the popularity and low cost of oil-fired central heating and an increased demand for diesel from the ever-expanding road transport industry.
In the early 60's Rix Limes Ltd was formed to supply lime to the Scottish agricultural market through an extensive network of inland depots serviced by road/rail from Montrose where it was imported on Rix dry cargo ships. This lime was sourced from Humber quarries and transported by rail to Hull docks for forwarding to Montrose where it was discharged by J. M. Piggins Ltd, later to become Piggins Rix Ltd, the Rix Group’s first owned interest in Scotland.
Shortly after this an opportunity arose to build a fuel depot in Montrose servicing the extensive offshore industry and this in turn soon developed into Rix’s domestic heating oil, agricultural and haulage sectors.
1990 - 2004
Already a substantial business in the Ridings of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Midlands, Rix consolidated its East Scotland presence with the acquisition of John Walton & Son in April 2000. This further reinforced Rix’s position in the domestic, agricultural, haulage and retail sectors.
2005 - 2009
There has been further development in East Anglia and in Scotland with vehicles based at Grangemouth in the central belt.
Meanwhile, an investment has been made in independent retailing with the creation of a complete new Rix brand identity.
Rix separates out its fuel card business and Fuelmate is born. Fuelmate goes on to become a mulit-card fuel card supplier, increasing its portfolio from just Keyfuels, to include Shell and Texaco.
In 2009 Rix launches it latest business, Rix Petroleum Midlands, based out of Coleshill.
2010 - Present
Rix Petroleum opens a new business in Market Drayton. The new operation, known as Rix Petroleum Mercia, has over 300,000 litres of storage and employed, on opening, 10 people.
Fuelmate completes agreements with Total, BP and UK Fuels.
Rix Petroleum opens its North East business, based near Alnwick.
