Rompetrol Downstream – the retail division of the KMG International Group in Romania, has opened a new filling station under the Rompetrol Partener franchise in the town of Filiaşi, Dolj county. The station was built and is operated by the company Azalis, which also holds 6 Rompetrol Partener units in the region.
“Together with our partners, we continue to grow and offer our customers quality products and services. This is the 114th filling station opened under the Partener Rompetrol brand, a franchise system enabling the company to share the experience, know-how and support in managing and developing a fuel-based business at international standards” stated Vlad Rusnac, Chief Retail Officer of KMG International and General Manager of Rompetrol Downstream.
With an estimated USD 1.2 million investment, the new Filiasi filling station offers its customers Efix si EfixS fuels through 3 state-of-the-art pumps (2 of which are high-flow fuel pumps) – produced by the largest refinery in Romania – Petromidia Navodari, and also the Fill&Go payment service.
The filling station is also equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas filling point, carwash (including for mini-buses), store areas and bar, as Filiasi is an important railway and road traffic hub in the region of Oltenia. The investment will also have a social impact, by both the 19 newly-created jobs and the local taxes generated by the station activity.
The Rompetrol Partener concept was launched in 2002 aiming to create a coherent programme early on, but also to promote a fair and mutually beneficial relation – nationwide expansion of the fuel distribution network for Rompetrol, and modernisation of the station and sales increase by becoming partners with a strong brand for the partner.
Apart from the access to a national filing station network under the umbrella of the Rompetrol Partener franchise, Efix and EfixS fuels and access to the Rompetrol customer portfolio, as well as the Rompetrol investment in the station signalling and fuel sales management are ensured. Moreover, the stations operated under the franchise benefit from Rompetrol’s support as regards the operation standards, station employee training and access to the national marketing campaigns. In addition, Rompetrol offers its partners the chance to develop their filling station business with related services: LPG, gas cylinders and other services.
“The Rompetrol Partener franchise grew with our company and focussed on performance, quality and alignment with the European standards. In the last three years, the stations under the Rompetrol Partener franchise have gone through an accelerated process of rebranding and alignment with the visual identity elements of the Rompetrol brand. At the same time with the development of the existing franchise network, 12 filling stations such as this were opened in 2017-2018. We aim at reaching an annual growth rhythm of minimum 10 new stations/per year in the period 2019-2023” Vlad Rusnac adds.
The development and implementation of the new Rompetrol station concept from 2013 have also reflected on the level of filling stations managed by the company partners. According to internal surveys, the customers appreciate the new image of the stations, aligned with the average monthly consumption uptrend, the Efix brand notoriety and its positioning as leader among the fuel brands, the spontaneous notoriety in recognising the Rompetrol trademark as a successful brand but also the doubling in popularity of the Fill&Go service.
A member of the KMG International Group, Rompetrol Downstream operated as at the end of September 895 fuel stations nationwide (own filling stations, Rompetrol Partner stations, Rompetrol Expres stations, 9 m3 and 20 m3 internal bases), 102 more units as compared to the similar period of 2017. There are also 6 fuel warehouses (Arad, Craiova, Mogoşoaia, Simleul Silvaniei, Vatra Dornei and Zărneşti), and 3 liquefied petroleum gas bottling stations (Bacau, Arad and Pantelimon).
In the period January-September 2018, Rompetrol Downstream along with Rompetrol Gas managed to increase total fuel (gasoline, gas oil, LPG) quantities sold by 8% from approximately 1.69 million tonnes to 1.82 million tonnes in the first nine months of the year.
On the retail segment, the companies recorded an increase by 2% of the volumes sold, the evolution being supported by the rebranding of Rompetrol filling stations and car LPG distribution stations, the continuation of the operating costs optimisation and reduction programmes, but also the completion of 4 new stations (Bucharest - Bragadiru, Bacau, Baia Mare, Sovata).
The wholesale segment has expanded this year with 85 new 9 m3 and 20 m3 internal bases, and the quantities sold through this channel were 17% higher within the first 9 months as compared to the similar period of last year.
Communication and Public Relations Department
KMG International