Strategic acquisition completes Rix’s domestic energy provision

‘GREAT PRIDE’: Matt Dixon, left, founder of Phoenix Heating Services, with Duncan Lambert, managing director of Rix Petroleum

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Well-known East Yorkshire fuel business Rix Petroleum has extended its services to domestic customers with the acquisition of a gas heating engineering business.

Rix, which is part of 150-year-old family business J.R. Rix & Sons, has acquired Phoenix Heating Specialists, based on Staithes Road, Preston, for an undisclosed sum.

The move follows two other acquisitions in the domestic energy sector and completes the family company’s heating and plumbing services to residential customers across the region.

Phoenix Heating Services will be rebranded as Rix Gas Services as part of the deal, and will join stablemates Rix Heating Services, Rix Electrical Services, and Rix Plumbing Services at their base in Bank Side, central Hull.

Duncan Lambert, managing director of Rix Petroleum, said the acquisition would future-proof the company’s domestic energy services, enabling the group to install, service and maintain oil, gas, electrical and renewable-based heating systems.

He said: “As a business with a 150-year heritage in Hull and East Yorkshire, we have always taken great pride in being able to offer the products and services our customers need to keep their houses warm and dry.

“But as technologies develop, and the variety of heating systems available expands, we needed to update our skills and services to ensure we can continue to do this.

“This latest acquisition completes our offering, giving us comprehensive services across all domestic energy types, including oil, gas, electricity and renewable technologies.

“I’m delighted to welcome Phoenix Heating Specialists into the Rix family. The move not only helps to future proof our business, it ensures we can continue providing the trustworthy service we’ve become known for over the past century-and-a-half.”

Phoenix Heating Services was set up by owner-manager Matt Dixon and employs four staff, all of whom will move across to the Rix Group.

Mr Dixon said having the backing of the Rix Group would enable the business to grow much more rapidly than if it had stayed independent.

He said: “Rix Petroleum is a such a well-known and successful business that to have become part of it is a real source of pride.

“The resources the business can provide, and the access to a much larger customer base, will not only turbocharge our growth but ensure the business will sustain over the long term.

“Everyone in the Phoenix team is very excited by the move.”