The 150-year-old firm focused on a sustainable future
Since 1873, Oh Yes! Net Zero member the Rix Group has achieved success in a range of industries, from oil distribution and transport to technology and manufacturing, operating across the UK from its headquarters in Hull.
Throughout its 150-year history the firm has adapted and innovated to meet changing market needs – and in recent years it has embarked on one of its most significant transformations yet, as it seeks to support its customers in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
We talked to the Rix Group’s operations co-ordinator, Cerys Davies, about some of the initiatives it has introduced as part of its ongoing shift to low-carbon solutions.
“As a company with a petroleum distribution business – Rix Petroleum – as a large part of our portfolio, people may not associate us with being environmentally sustainable,” said Cerys.
“But the industries we’re in, combined with our core commitment to responsible business practices, mean we’re actually very well placed to make a positive difference by making it easier for consumers and businesses alike to use alternative fuels with a lower environmental impact.
“This isn’t a new priority for us – for example, over 20 years ago Rix was the first fuel provider in the UK to invest in the introduction of biofuel to forecourts.
“We’re now accelerating our transition to low-carbon solutions across all our businesses, both in the products and services we offer to customers and within our own operations.”
The firm’s environmental sustainability initiatives include:
HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) education and advocacy
Rix Petroleum is actively promoting HVO as a solution to reduce emissions in industries including agriculture and construction. With the potential to cut emissions by as much as 90 per cent compared with standard diesel – without the need for alterations to a vehicle’s engine – HVO constitutes a major solution to plant and vehicular emissions.
Rix’s efforts in this field include educating key markets on the benefits of HVO and lobbying the UK government to support its widespread adoption.
Expansion into sustainable technologies
The Rix Group is also investing in renewable energy solutions for the domestic market, having recently acquired a business specialising in technologies including solar panels, batteries and electric vehicle (EV) charging points, and another that provides air source heat pumps.
The creation of Rix Energy Services and Rix Plumbing Services signify the firm’s long-term commitment to supporting consumers to transition to options that will cut both their household carbon footprints and their energy bills.
Support for the offshore renewables industry
The Rix Group’s heritage in the maritime industry has led to it playing an important part in the offshore renewable energy industry in the Humber region and beyond.
Originally established to transport workers, plant and equipment to and from offshore wind farms, Rix Renewables now also provides technical experts and specialist services to the industry and is continuing to develop innovations and assets that aid the UK’s transition to renewable energies.
More sustainable manufacturing practices
The Rix Group’s drive for sustainability has also been embraced by its holiday lodge business, Victory Leisure Homes. Victory is meeting the majority of its energy requirements sustainably through the installation of a wind turbine and photovoltaic cells at its factory, and has introduced manufacturing process and waste management techniques that prevent excess materials ending up in landfill.
Victory is also applying its commitment to sustainability to new product development, recently unveiling its first concept for a new range – Evolution by Victory – that incorporates solar panels, thermal insulation and a waste water heat recovery system.
Developing technology to support CO2e analysis
“As well as leveraging the company’s expertise in our traditional markets, we’re also innovating new services to help customers reduce their carbon footprint, such as our spend management platform Accountabl, which makes it easy to measure greenhouse gas emissions from business travel,” said Cerys.
“Being a responsible business is at our core, and our focus on sustainability is part of that.
“While we still have some distance to go, we have made huge strides forward and are committed to finding more new ways to support our customers in reducing their emissions, as we continue to drive down our own.”
Find out here how support from the Rix Group in switching to HVO helped Sesh Events cut the carbon footprint of Humber Street Sesh by 90 per cent in 2023.