Jet History J.W. RobertsIN THE BEGI

Jet History
J.W. RobertsIN THE BEGINNING
JET was established in 1954 by John Willy 'Bill' Roberts. Bill, who was born in Halifax in 1898, started working part-time in the mills at the age of 11. By the age of 12 he was working full-time and studying economics.

THE WAR YEARS
Bill Roberts served in the First World War and though barely out of his teens, he was keen to get on. One story typifies his character. After complaining that the sergeants were getting roast beef instead of stew like the men, he was told, 'If you like roast beef, work to become a sergeant and you'll be entitled to it.' Before long Sgt. Bill Roberts was enjoying roast beef too.

BETWEEN THE WARS
in civilian life, Bill started working for a chemical company. His business acumen helped make the company, Trent Oil Products, a formidable oil distributor in the competitive years between the wars.


THE JET AGE
JET In 1954 when the petrol supply was de-regulated, Bill set up Jet Petroleum Ltd - a name inspired by 'JET' - the prefix of vehicles registered in Rotherham, Yorkshire and his first tanker, JET 855.

Soon Bill was seeing demand from the smaller independent retailers around Yorkshire for an alternative supplier to the major brands which effectively controlled the supply and price of petrol. He began selling fuel at lower prices and the JET network started to grow as motorists began searching out these lower price outlets.

In 1999 the rusting skeleton of JET 855 was discovered in a farmers field by an Oxfordshire haulier. In a fitting way to celebrate 50 years of the JET brand, the vehicle has now been restored to its former glory. The restoration of JET 855 is an amazing story of coincidences and uncompromising dedication.

PETROL WARS
In 1961, JET was bought by Conoco Inc, which built on JET’s low price tradition. JET never lost sight of the customer and always offered value for money. JET's low costs soon created headaches for the established oil companies and headlines in the press.