From humble beginnings, Oleum Fuels was started by Ben Hicks as a single truck operation back in 2012. Soon one truck grew to two, then three and eventually to the fleet of 25 trucks and 30 trailers that the business operates today.
Oleum Fuels provides bulk fuel delivery and on-site refuelling services across Sydney and regional New South Wales – along with occasional runs into Victoria and Queensland where required.
It has three depots in Sydney’s west, located at Kemps Creek, Saint Marys and Riverstone; and an office at Summer Hill.
Prior to starting Oleum Fuels, Ben had been involved in biodiesel manufacturing. He recognised an opportunity to begin offering fuel transport services, and with that, his business was born.
Ben decided to move away from biodiesel, with the focus now on supplying diesel and petroleum.
As Ben explained, “Oleum Fuels is a fuel wholesaler. We specialise in picking up from the port and deal with all the fuel traders who bring the fuel in by ship from places like Singapore and South Korea. “We negotiate our way into getting the best fuel prices we can. Our trucks pick the fuel up from the ships at the port and we deliver it to our customers.”
Oleum Fuels’ customer base is wide-ranging – from road transport operators and service stations, to airports, agricultural businesses, container works and civil projects.
“Fitting into a particular service market while also being able to deliver the products to customers ourselves was always going to be our point of difference,” added Ben.
“We decided our best course of action was to offer a complete service, so Oleum Fuels does everything from A to Z and is a true one-stop shop.”
The 25-strong truck fleet is used to pull rigids, semis and five B-doubles – with the newest addition being a DAF XG660 prime mover, purchased through Sam Giancotti from Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood.
It was delivered in early June and has now been on the road for close to two months, pulling a 19-metre B-double with a 47,000-litre capacity. Ben purchased his first DAF eight years ago.
“That was a 500hp model, then we went for the 530hp DAF and now they’ve brought out the 660hp, so they’ve broadened their range,” he said.
“Since buying our first one, we’ve stuck with DAFs and now have seven in the fleet.
“Sam at Gilbert & Roach has been amazing, I can’t speak highly enough of him. The team there are good and they’re friendly.
“We don’t typically do a lot of long haul freight so 660hp is probably a bit more than we need, but we’re testing and trying it out and it’s really going well.
“Because we tow 25 and 19 metre B-doubles, anything less than 600hp is a slow slog up a hill, especially over the Blue Mountains, so this gives drivers that extra power to go into the regional areas of New South Wales.”
Before it hit the road, the new DAF XG660 was specced up to suit the task at hand. “Once we purchase our new trucks, we have them fuel specced and fire rated for the fuel terminals, as they need to be set up to fuel terminal standard,” Ben added.
This particular truck features a modified fuel tank to support a hydraulic system, and a customised roof kit for tight site access. It also comes with a 60-month Premium PacLease Maintenance Package.
The new truck is driven by long-time driver Chris Ryan, who’s been with the business for about 10 years – and he’s been quite impressed with this new bit of gear.
As Chris explained, he got into driving trucks around 17 years ago. “My football coach Michael had his own fuel transport business, so I started driving for him in a little rigid truck, then worked my way up to semis. We were already doing some work for Ben, so I got to know him before I started working here.
“Michael sold his trucks to Ben, so I started working at Oleum Fuels. Michael was my allocator when I worked for him, and he’s the allocator here now too.”
When Chris started with Oleum Fuels, it was semi work, however he eventually moved up into the bigger rigs. “I slowly progressed and earned my stripes to get into the B-doubles. I’ve been doing that for about five years now. I mainly do bulk diesel deliveries into regional areas – the furthest I’d go is about a 1000-kilometre return trip.”
The new DAF XG660 is based at the Saint Mary’s depot. Before getting the keys to the new truck, Chris was in a smaller DAF 530hp. Asked how the two trucks compare, Chris said, “This truck leaves it for dead. I’ve been in it about six weeks now and have done about 12,000 kilometres so far. When it hits the hills, it just seems to have a lot more power to climb them.
“It’s got really light steering compared to any other truck I’ve ever driven – and it’s so much more comfortable, with a lot more room. You can stand up and you only just hit the roof.”
Though he already knew he’d be getting to drive the new truck, Chris said it was a pleasant surprise when he returned from holidays recently, and the truck was ready to go.
“It had been in the pipeline for about three months, but once the trucks arrive, they need to get all the equipment put on before it hits the road. When I got back from leave, I got straight into the new truck.”
Ben added that while there aren’t currently any new trucks on order, when the time comes to add more prime movers to his growing fleet, “I’d choose to go with the DAFs over the other brands.”
Article reproduced courtesy of Big Rigs Magazine (August 2025).
Writer: Danielle Gullaci