Gleaner

What Gleaner does

Gleaner Ltd is a fourth-generation family-owned fuel distribution company headquartered in Elgin, Scotland, founded in 1954 by Robin Young and currently owned by Jane and Stephen Scott, with their son Evan Scott representing the fourth generation. The company operates across home heating oil, LPG, commercial fuels, agricultural fuels, lubricants, and boiler maintenance services, serving Scottish homes, businesses, and farms that lack access to mains gas. Distribution runs through 9 regional depots spanning Aberdeen, Inverness, Grantown-on-Spey, Connel, Dunoon, Islay, Mull, Mintlaw, and Elgin — including remote Highlands and Islands locations — complemented by a network of over 50 service stations (14 company-owned). The company also distributes Shell and TotalEnergies lubricants UK-wide via its sister company Silgo Lubricants in Essex.

The business model is predominantly transactional and commodity-linked, with revenue generated through per-litre fuel sales (home heating oil, diesel, gas oil, red diesel, AdBlue, LPG), service fees for boiler maintenance (annual servicing, emergency repairs, tank solutions), lubricants distribution, and 2-year minimum LPG subscription contracts that include annual tank rental. Pricing is quote-based and subject to global energy market fluctuations, confirmed on the working day prior to delivery. Recurring revenue mechanisms include the Budget Payment Plan (interest-free monthly Direct Debit spreading annual fuel costs) and the Top-up Service (automatic scheduled deliveries, over 1,000 enrolled customers). Go-to-market combines depot-based field sales, telephone ordering, online customer portal, quote/order web forms, and community oil buying groups. The technology stack is operational rather than digital: fuel tanker logistics, depot storage infrastructure, and a web portal for account management — no proprietary software platform or algorithmic technology is described.

Gleaner employs 101-250 people and is privately held by the Scott family with no external investors, parent company, or publicly disclosed financial statements. The company holds OFTEC and Gas Safe engineering registrations, ISCC and BSI certifications, VDA accreditation, and UKIFDA membership, supporting its boiler maintenance and authorized lubricant distribution activities. Recent strategic moves include a March 2026 divestiture of Bridgend Filling Station in Thurso to Karan Retail Ltd, a March 2026 partnership routing customers to the Scottish Government's £10 million Emergency Heating Oil Scheme via Advice Direct Scotland, and continued LPG expansion into the Western Isles.

Name

Gleaner

Legal name

Gleaner Limited

Website

https://gleaner.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gleaner Ltd is a fourth-generation, family-owned Scottish fuel distributor supplying home heating oil, LPG, commercial and agricultural fuels, lubricants, and boiler maintenance across 9 depots and 50+ service stations. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Elgin, the company serves rural domestic, commercial, and agricultural customers across Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fuel Distribution Services

NAICS

Fuel Dealers (4572), Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710), Gasoline Stations (4571)

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171), Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172)

akta.pro primary industry

Branded Fuels Wholesaling & Jobber Distribution (EUALAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lubricants Distribution & Wholesale (Bulk, Packaged, B2B) (EUALAJAE), Non-Fuel Retail & Ancillary Forecourt Services (Car Wash, Auto Care, ATM/Lottery, Parcel Lockers) (EUALAIAJ)

Keywords

• Heating oil distribution
• Commercial fuel supply
• Agricultural fuel services
• Boiler maintenance services
• Industrial lubricants distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Elgin

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Home Heating Oil Sales: Gleaner sells home heating oil (kerosene) to domestic customers across Scotland, delivered by tanker to private homes. Pricing is quote-based and fluctuates with global energy markets. Minimum delivery quantity is 500 litres. Customers can pay upfront, by Direct Debit, or through the Budget Payment Plan.
2. Commercial Fuel Sales: Supply of commercial fuels including diesel, gas oil, and AdBlue to businesses, service stations, and transport operators. Sold through depot sales teams with competitive pricing.
3. Agricultural Fuel Sales: Supply of agricultural fuels (red diesel) to farms across Scotland, including Fuel Master and other agricultural fuel products.
4. LPG Sales: LPG sold in bulk tank deliveries and cylinder formats to domestic, commercial, and agricultural customers across Scottish mainland and Western Isles. Contracts require minimum 2-year terms with annual tank rental charges.
5. Boiler Maintenance Services: Annual and emergency boiler servicing, repairs, tank solutions, and oil monitoring services provided by OFTEC-registered engineers. Revenue generated through service fees and maintenance contracts.
6. Lubricant and Grease Sales: Distribution of Shell and TotalEnergies lubricants and greases across the UK, with delivery from depots in Scotland and Essex via sister company Silgo Lubricants. Products range from 400g cartridges to 1000-litre IBCs. Average delivery time 2-3 working days.
7. Service Station Network: Gleaner manages a network of over 50 service station sites, including 14 company-owned branded stations supplying Diesel, Unleaded, Super Unleaded, and Autogas (LPG for vehicles) across Scotland.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gleaner Ltd distributes home heating oil (kerosene), commercial fuels (diesel, gas oil, AdBlue), agricultural fuels (red diesel), and LPG in bulk and cylinder formats to homes, businesses, and farms across Scotland from a network of 9 depots. The company also operates OFTEC-registered boiler installation, servicing, and repair services, distributes Shell and TotalEnergies branded lubricants UK-wide, and runs a service station network of over 50 sites (14 company-owned) selling forecourt fuels and Autogas.

Product overview

Gleaner Ltd is a fourth-generation family-owned fuel distribution company operating a multi-product energy portfolio across Scotland. The core offering centers on home heating oil delivery, complemented by commercial fuels, agricultural fuels, and LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) in both bulk and cylinder formats. Supporting services include boiler maintenance (installation, servicing, and repairs via OFTEC-registered engineers), a lubricants division distributing Shell and TotalEnergies branded products, and a network of over 50 service stations offering various fuel types including Autogas. Additional customer convenience services include Budget Payment Account (monthly direct debit), automatic Top-up Service, Oil Monitoring Plan, and an online Customer Portal. The company operates 9 depots across Scotland and manages both company-owned and independent service stations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gleaner Oils: Main brand identity used for fuel distribution services
• Gleaner Arena

Products and services

• Home Heating Oil Premium kerosene home heating oil delivered by tanker from 9 depots across Scotland to domestic households off the mains gas grid, with a 500-litre minimum delivery, quote-based pricing tied to global energy markets, and options including Budget Payment Plan and automatic Top-up Service.
• Commercial Fuel Bulk supply of commercial fuels including diesel and gas oil to Scottish businesses, service stations, and transport operators, sold through depot-based sales teams with competitive pricing and reliable delivery.
• AdBlue Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) supplied to commercial customers to reduce NOx emissions from diesel vehicles, available alongside commercial fuel orders.
• Agricultural Fuels Specialised fuel products for farms and rural businesses across Scotland, including red diesel and FAME-free gas oil for machinery, vehicles, and on-farm heating, with fuel management advice from depot sales teams.
• Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Bulk tank and cylinder LPG supply to domestic, commercial, and agricultural customers across the Scottish mainland and Western Isles, delivered under minimum 2-year contracts with annual tank rental charges.
• Boiler Maintenance Services Annual and emergency boiler servicing, repairs, tank solutions, and oil monitoring provided by OFTEC-registered engineers for domestic and commercial customers across Gleaner's depot catchment.
• Shell Lubricants Range Full range of Shell authorised lubricants, greases, and coolants — including Shell Panolin biodegradable lubricants and Shell industry, marine, fleet, and automotive products — distributed UK-wide from Gleaner depots and sister company Silgo in Essex.
• TotalEnergies Lubricants Range Authorised distribution of TotalEnergies oils, greases, and fluids for industrial and commercial applications, complementing the Shell lubricant offering.
• Service Station Network Network of over 50 service station sites across Scotland — including 14 company-owned — supplying Diesel, Unleaded, Super Unleaded, and Autogas (LPG for vehicles), with selected sites also offering car washes, groceries, and EV charging points.

Quantifiable outcome

• Minimum delivery of 500 litres in compliance with weights and measures legislation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Advice Direct ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Advice Direct Scotland is administering the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government (£10 million fund for oil and LPG heated homes). Gleaner communicates this scheme to its customers and directs them to homeheatingadvice.scot for applications. Payment is made direct to fuel suppliers including Gleaner wherever possible.
• ShellcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1973Gleaner has a long-standing relationship with Shell dating back to its origins as a Shell Distributor. Since 1973, Gleaner has distributed Shell lubricants and greases. Today Gleaner serves as a Shell Authorised Distributor offering a full range of Shell lubricants, greases, and coolants including Shell Panolin biodegradable lubricants, Shell industry, marine, fleet, and automotive lubricants. This partnership of over 50 years provides Gleaner access to premium lubrication products backed by Shell's global reputation.
• TotalEnergiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGleaner is an authorised distributor for TotalEnergies Lubricants, offering a full range of TotalEnergies oils, greases, and fluids to customers. This partnership complements the Shell lubricant offering and provides customers with choice across leading lubricant brands.
• Silgo LubricantscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilgo Lubricants is Gleaner Ltd's affiliated sister company based in Essex. Gleaner leverages this relationship to fulfil lubricant orders across the UK, with Silgo handling delivery from Essex while Gleaner handles Scotland-based deliveries from its 9 depots.
• Elgin Sports Community TrustminorOthersGleaner sponsors the Elgin Sports Community Trust, including naming rights to the Gleaner Arena in Elgin. This community partnership supports local sports and reflects Gleaner's commitment to the communities it serves.
• Local Sports Clubs (Moray Rugby, Elgin Albion, New Elgin FC, Forres Mechanics FC, Deveronvale FC, Lossiemouth FC, Keith FC, Lhanbryde United FC, Elgin Golf Club, Lossiemouth Tennis Club)minorOthersGleaner provides sponsorship to over 15 local sports clubs across Moray and Scotland including rugby, football, golf, and tennis clubs, as well as individual rally drivers. This community engagement programme builds local brand affinity and goodwill.
• Service Station Network PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGleaner's service station network includes both company-owned and independent partner stations. Independent fuel retailers can join the Gleaner network to benefit from brand recognition, competitive fuel pricing, reliable supply, and business support including convenience store, car wash, and EV charging point introductions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Crown Oil: UK fuel and lubricants wholesaler supplying heating oil, diesel, AdBlue, and industrial lubricants to commercial and domestic customers. Overlapping depot-led distribution, lubricant portfolio, and quote-based pricing model make it a direct comparable to Gleaner's core operations.
• Rix Petroleum: UK heating oil, commercial and agricultural fuel distributor with a depot-based delivery model serving rural and off-mains-gas homes. Operates an analogous multi-product portfolio (heating oil, lubricants, commercial fuels) and competes most directly with Gleaner for domestic, farm, and SME fuel accounts.
• Bayford Group: Family-owned UK fuel distributor with depot network supplying home heating oil, commercial fuels, and LPG. Comparable to Gleaner in customer mix (rural domestic + commercial), product breadth, and family-led multi-generational ownership structure.
• GPS Fuels: UK commercial and domestic fuel distributor supplying heating oil, diesel, and lubricants with depot-led operations. Comparable product mix, customer base, and regional distribution model to Gleaner's commercial fuel and lubricant business.
• WCF Fuels (Countrywide Farmers): UK agricultural and commercial fuel supplier with depot and tanker delivery into rural communities. Overlaps significantly with Gleaner's agricultural red diesel and commercial fuel business, particularly in rural farm accounts.
• SB Oils: UK heating oil and commercial fuel distributor focused on domestic and small-business customers, with depot-based tanker delivery. Direct competitor to Gleaner in the off-mains-gas home heating segment with similar transaction-based pricing model.
• Watson Fuels: UK fuel distribution business serving commercial, agricultural, and domestic customers with heating oil, diesel, and lubricants. Closely comparable depot-based model, multi-customer-segment approach, and lubricant partnerships mirror Gleaner's structure.

Broad incumbents

• Certas Energy: UK's largest independent fuel distributor, part of the DCC group, operating a national depot and service-station network. Overlaps with Gleaner across heating oil, commercial fuels, lubricants, and forecourt retail but at substantially greater scale and geographic reach.
• DCC Energy: Downstream energy and fuel distribution business operating across the UK and Europe through brands including Certas Energy. Comparable to Gleaner at the category level (fuel marketing and retail) but operates at a vastly larger scale and with a wider product portfolio.

Regional players

• Emo Oil: Ireland's leading independent fuel and lubricants distributor operating a depot network across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Closely comparable business model (heating oil, commercial fuels, lubricants, service stations) but serves a different primary geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gleanerltd

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gleaner