Prague, 4 December 2007 – Benzina will complete the modernisation of 82 of its petrol filling stations under the Benzina Plus brand and 82 stations under the traditional Benzina brand by the end of this year. This result means that in each segment, the number of upgraded filling stations will go up by four more than originally planned. Thanks to the ongoing modernisation the company’s market share is growing; in the period from January to August it climbed to 13.4% according to information from the Czech Statistical Office. Fuel sales are increasing rapidly thanks to Benzina’s revamping. They have increased by 15.5% in comparison with the first ten months of last year. Towards the end of this year Benzina is also launching Verva Diesel, a new diesel fuel with a high level of additives, which will be available at 42 Benzina Plus stations before the end of this year.
“Last year in the autumn we promised motorists that our petrol filling stations would provide new options, better services, the maximum comfort, and premium fuels. We also made a commitment to modernise a specific number of stations in this way. We are delivering more than 100% on our promises, and at the end of 2007 we will offer motorists a larger number of modern petrol filling stations than we originally planned. Drivers can already take fuel at 80 Benzina Plus stations and 79 traditional, but significantly upgraded Benzina stations,” says Martin Durčák, Benzina, s.r.o. Managing Director, adding:“Next year we will open the following stage, which will include the much costlier renewal of petrol filling stations along motorways.”
Verva 100 and Verva Diesel at Benzina Plus stations
Verva 100 high-octane petrol is available now at all the newly revamped Benzina Plus stations. In the Benzina network, premium fuels account for about similar percentage share like in case of Benzina ´s competitors. Between January and October 2007 premium petrol sales at Benzina Plus stations were 49% higher than in the same period of last year; sales of these fuels throughout the network were 40% higher.
The new Verva Diesel fuel will be offered at 42 Benzina Plus stations by the end of this year, and will be available at all Benzina Plus stations in 2008. The pilot-operation stations have a more than ten per cent share of the total sales of diesel fuels, significantly surpassing the company’s expectations.
A new concept of refreshments
Catering is also a prominent feature of the Benzina Plus stations. Benzina completed 40 bistros and it plans to put as many as 43 bistros in operation before the end of 2007. In cooperation with the most significant Italian fast-food provider – Autogrill Company – Benzina also builds large-format restaurants in its net Benzina Plus. Investment in catering pays off: sales in bistros are 50% higher than Benzina originally planned.
Types of bistros:
- RESTAURANTS operated by specialist companies that manage networks of catering facilities;
- BISTRO minute, where drivers find a range of in-house fresh bakery products and baked pastries and, moreover, a menu of hot meals;
- SNACK minute offering in-house fresh baguettes and baked pastries;
- CAFÉ minute – the smallest catering module offering high-quality espresso.
Improving the shops’ offer and other innovations
The retail space of Benzina Plus petrol filling stations has been expanded and upgraded to reflect the latest trends. Benzina offers, and continuously extends the range of, premium brands of goods and accessories for motorists. For the first ten months of 2007 the shops’ sales are tents % higher than those for the same period of 2006. Between January and October 2007 the company also put into operation 18 new state-of-the art car washes at Benzina Plus stations; these car washes are friendlier to both automobiles and the environment.
More challenging redevelopment and acquisitions will mark 2008
In 2008 the company will face projects that will be more challenging in terms of both financing and construction work than this year’s projects. The modernisation plan includes the overhaul of 16 petrol filling stations particularly on motorways, and their rebranding to Benzina Plus. The capital intensity of this project will be approximately 75% higher than the average in 2007. Moreover, 20 Benzina Plus stations will be rebuilt, including a complete refurbishment of their interior. Another 39 stations will undergo smaller modifications to meet Benzina’s new standards. In connection with the continued modernisation of its network Benzina expects a further increase in its market share by 0.6 percentage points to 14% in 2008 and achievement of the planned 15% in 2009.
Additional plans for next year include the acquisitions of petrol filling stations in strategic locations and the construction of at least four new Benzina Plus premium stations, further improvements in customer service, a massive launch of the Verva Diesel fuel, an additional 18 car washes put into operation, and continued successful promotional activities involving attractive gifts.
With its 319 public filling stations Benzina, s.r.o. operates the largest national network in the Czech Republic and offers fuels and other goods and services to broad groups of customers. The Benzina brand has been on the market for almost 50 years. The company is now a fully-owned subsidiary of the UNIPETROL holding. The latest key milestone in Benzina’s history was 1 May 2007; on that day Benzina changed its legal form from a public to a private limited company. For 2006 Benzina reported a profit of CZK 16.25 million from a total turnover of CZK 13.2 billion under Czech Accounting Standards.
Media contact:
Michaela Lagronová
Spokesperson
GSM: +420 602 304 708
E-mail: michaela.lagronova@unipetrol.cz