We wanted to offer our customers a strong forecourt image and a rewarding loyalty programme, owner Philip Woods said.
We have a long standing relationship with Valero as one of our other sites, Fruitfield Service Station, is already under the Texaco brand. We have been very pleased with how the business has developed over the years and the commitment they are showing to the Texaco brand in the region. This was the obvious fuel brand of choice for our sites.
The increase in sites shows that Northern Ireland retailers see Valero as their preferred supplier.
A casual call to confirm a volunteering date ended up with a request for something quite different and with rather more responsibility than usual for some of our Canary Wharf employees.
In a routine call to Dawn Pedder, Volunteer Manager, of the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), London VVC Chair Dawn McMaster was asked, "You don't do any marshalling at Valero do you? We are still looking for a few more volunteers for a Royal visit next week and can you help?"
With eight days' notice, McMaster assembled a crack team of volunteers for an unknown project with an unnamed Royal. A quick Google search turned up that the event in Kent was an official opening and the woman with the scissors was Her Majesty The Queen.
So seven volunteers went to the Royal British Legion Industries Village near Aylesford, Kent, on 6 November with no idea of what their country expected of them.
The village provides accommodation and employment for veterans and their families and even has a factory that makes road signs. As part of the RBLI centenary celebrations, The Queen was to officially open Appleton Lodge, an extra-care facility with 15 suites, named after the First World War nurse Edith Appleton.
We didn't know what we were expected to do, but most of us were posted in the area where The Queen got out of her car to open the lodge.
There was a briefing in the morning that included code words so volunteers could understand any sudden issues without alarming those present. "We felt part of the security team and helped alert the services to someone that no one recognised."
Valero volunteers with the RBLI regularly and McMaster believes that this will strengthen the company's relationship with the charity.
We were happy to step up at such short notice. Having marshalled before, we know how to be coordinated in a team. We had an idea of what would be expected and how to liaise with each other and the charity organisers. It made us feel worthy to be there.
The RBLI's Pedder was pleased with the Valero contribution to the Queen's visit. "I want to send a massive thank you to you and your colleagues for your fantastic help. You were an immense help with keeping the crowds contained and happy and also being our eyes and ears."
Valero Energy Ltd has won a new long-term agreement to supply 115 Co-op petrol filling stations. The contract extension includes the supply of fuel to 31 new-look Co-op branded locations from mid-2020.
Valero - which has worked with Co-op since 2005 - will manage the supply of fuel to Co-op forecourts through auto-replenishment, with fuel being supplied via Valero's Pembroke Refinery and its network of terminals across the UK.
Andrew Cox, Valero's director of sales and marketing, said, "We're thrilled to announce the extension of our agreement with Co-op, which confirms Valero as the retailer's principal fuel supplier. We've worked very successfully together for many years and we're very excited about this new phase of our relationship. Valero can be relied upon to support Co-op's forecourts with quality fuels, security of supply and an industry leading delivery service."
Eddie Jenkinson, national fuels manager, Co-op, said, "We're pleased to build on our relationship with Valero. Petrol filling stations are at the heart of local life, a community hub for fuel and food needs, and a strong, long-term partnership is key to delivering what our Members and customers want and need, conveniently. The Co-op is also committed to creating value in its communities, and contributing to local life, and so we look forward to working with Valero on a number of charitable and volunteering projects which will make a difference locally."
It's been a busy year for Valero, who market in the UK fuel under the Texaco brand, and its volunteers. From bake-offs to bulb planting, car washing to cycling, many Valero employees have given back to the community in 2019, supporting and raising funds for numerous charities along the way.
A recent event involved a number of Valero volunteers helping marshal 100 horse riders at an annual event in Knole Park, Kent. The popular event by permission of Lord Sackville gave horse riders a rare opportunity to ride through the historic National Trust grounds. Money raised from sponsorship is donated to the Bradbourne Riding for the Disabled Association who provide therapy and enjoyment for people with disabilities.
Texaco UKIn October, a Halloween themed Macmillan bake-off took place at Valero's head office in Canary Wharf, giving employees the opportunity to impress their colleagues with their baking skills and more importantly, raise funds for the charity.
Plus, there are a number of festive themed events planned to finish off the year including the East End Community Foundation children's Christmas present book appeal and the Community Links children's toy appeal, where Valero employees donate books and toys for disadvantaged children living in East London.
A new event on the Valero volunteer's calendar for December is organising and funding the Community Links children's Christmas party, which will be held for 5-11 year olds. Valero volunteers will also be attending two seniors luncheons in London where the guests will enjoy a Christmas dinner and party.
To end the year, Valero's head office will hold a charity Christmas jumper day to continue their fundraising efforts, whilst busily planning a calendar of events to continue supporting charities and our communities in 2020.
Valero has had its eye on the aviation supply business at Birmingham Airport since 2012. Not only is it the largest airport in the Midlands, it is less than 12 miles from the company's Kingsbury Terminal, which receives aviation fuel directly by pipeline from Valero's Pembroke refinery.
Birmingham already had two incumbent fuel suppliers – Shell and World Fuel Services – that own tanks and into-plane facilities. However, there are very high entry barriers that prevents new market entrants - any newcomer would have to invest in infrastructure to store and deliver product, as well as build and staff new offices.
But the airport authorities have stepped in. "For the sake of the airlines, competition, growth of the airport and to create a level playing field, airports are building tank farms that anyone can access at a published rate. This is what has happened at Birmingham," said Jason Oliver, Valero's marketing manager for their aviation and bunkers business.
The new facility means that the airport is more competitively supplied and has extra supply resilience, should the existing facilities be unable to cope. The challenge for Valero is that we have to drive the volume growth within the capacity constraints of the new facility, Oliver added.
Valero now has a through-put contract with Birmingham Airport Limited (BAL), the airport operator, and another with Menzies, an independent fuel-farm and into-plane operator, which has the concession for fuel delivery within the airport. "With the airport close to our Kingsbury Terminal, we can supply equity product using Valero-branded trucks operated by Wincanton."
The new facility has been operational for a year and has two other users.
The owners of the sites, Henry and Michael Curran, moved over to Texaco due to the strength of the Texaco brand in Northern Ireland, next day fuel deliveries and the competitive fuel package offering.
Henry Curran said, "When we made the decision to switch we wanted a supplier that could offer not just a strong brand, but also an excellent service and security of supply. It's important that our customers can depend on us to meet their fuel needs. A reliable supply network was one of our main criteria for joining and we are reassured that Texaco can offer a 24 hour fuel delivery service."
He went on to say, "We have a strong relationship with Samantha Passi, our area manager, and her ongoing support was also a key factor in our decision to sign with Valero. Valero was the winning package for us in the end and we had no hesitation signing with them."
Both the Curran's sites are well located along main routes, around a 10 mile radius from Belfast city center. The sites stock all four grades of fuel including Supreme Diesel and Supreme Unleaded and also offer customers a supermarket, deli, jet wash and onsite parking. Lagmore Service Station (4000 sq feet), the larger of the two sites, has a post office as well.
Andrew Cox, Valero's director sales and marketing, said, "We are delighted that Curran's have chosen Texaco to supply fuel at both of their sites. We understand that switching to a new brand is a big decision and it's fantastic that Texaco ticked all the boxes for Henry and Michael when they were looking to switch. We've had lots of success in Northern Ireland lately and I hope to see site numbers continue to grow further in the region."
The Curran's sites are a family-owned business that have been involved in retail for 32 years. They owned a small Costcutter business in the1980's and over the years have grown and developed the business to the two sites they own today. The sites will benefit from receiving their fuel directly from the nearby fuel storage terminal in Belfast.
With the holiday season upon us, many will be heading off on long car journeys.
Check out our handy hints on how to make your fuel go further!
Keep your car well serviced and check the oil level regularly. Correctly maintained cars can operate more efficiently and help reduce CO2 emissions.
Check your tyre pressure every month. Under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 4%*.
Remove unnecessary weight from your boot or back seats. The heavier the car, the harder the engine has to work and the more fuel it consumes.
Close your windows, especially at higher speeds and remove empty roof racks. This will reduce wind resistance and can lower your fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10%**.
Use air conditioning only when necessary. Unnecessary use increases fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 5%**.
Start driving soon after starting the engine and turn off the engine when stationary for more than one minute. Modern engines enable you to just get in and go, thus reducing fuel consumption.
Drive at reasonable speeds and above all, drive smoothly. Every time you accelerate or brake suddenly, your engine uses more fuel and produces more CO2.
When accelerating, change up gears as early as possible. Higher gears are more economical in terms of fuel consumption**.
Try to anticipate traffic flow. Look at the traffic as far ahead as possible in order to avoid unnecessary stopping and starting within the flow of traffic.
Consider car sharing for work or leisure. You will help reduce congestion and fuel consumption.
Valero is working with Extra MSA Group and their selected operator to develop the UK's latest Motorway Service Area (MSA) fuel service station, forming part of Extra's new 'landmark' service area on the M1 at Junction 45, Leeds Skelton Lake.
Texaco UKThe £60m investment by Extra will include a Texaco-branded service station and a Food Court building giving a full range of well-known and popular brands. There will also be a 100-bedroom Ramada Hotel and extensive parking. The MSA development is expected to open in the autumn this year.
Extra has granted a long-term head lease to Valero for the service station and will be operated by Jos Richardson and Son Ltd, who operate seven service stations in the North, including the popular M62 Junction 36, Glews Service Area.
The forecourt will feature ten retail pump islands serving all four fuel grades, including Supreme Diesel and Supreme Unleaded. The separate HGV Forecourt will have five lanes serving diesel and AdBlue, and will include outside payment terminals. The 4,500 sq ft shop will be branded SPAR and feature the 'Daily Deli' food to go offer and Costa Express Coffee. There will also be an off-licence, cash machine and customer parking.
The service area facilities have been designed to set new standards for the Motorway Network and MSA sector, and will complement the adjacent Skelton Lake. The Food Court building features sweeping and exposed 'glulam' timber beams with an undulating 'Living Green Roof' to tie into the natural landscape. This will also include a Wildlife Visitor Centre and Business Centre, all set within well landscaped grounds connecting with the lakeside walks and wider local countryside.
Andrew Cox, Valero's Director Sales and Marketing, said "We're very pleased to be working with Extra MSA Group on this 'landmark' MSA development. Our vision is to create a best-in-class MSA service station that complements the outstanding facilities on offer within Leeds Skelton Lake Services.
I've no doubt Jos Richardson and Son Ltd, who will operate the service station, will provide customers with a first class experience, particularly when you add in Texaco's quality fuels and the industry's most rewarding loyalty programme, Star Rewards. We're sure we've got a winning combination.
Andrew Long, CEO of Extra MSA Group, confirmed, "Valero is an important new strategic relationship for Extra and we are pleased to be working with them, as well as Jos Richardson & Son Ltd, as a successful Yorkshire Region company to deliver high operating standards and further enhance the overall good customer experience at our latest Extra 'umbrella branded' MSA development.
We look forward to the planned opening of Leeds Skelton Lake Services later this year, which, in addition to Texaco, will also include other major popular 'brands' Starbucks, LEON, Burger King, KFC, Harry Ramsden's, Pizza Express and Ramada, together with other complementary significant 'brands' shortly to be announced."
Valero has rolled out a refresh of Texaco-branded tankers in its Branded Distributor market with the help of one of its longest standing customers. WR Kennedy is a family run business that has been supplying Texaco-branded fuel in Northern Ireland since 1962. With its high standards of customer service, the Ballymena-based business was a natural fit as the forerunner for the brand refresh.
Managing director Terence Kennedy is pleased with the look of the refreshed tanker branding. "The changes are subtle but it gives a cleaner, more contemporary feel to the brand that we know our customers in Northern Ireland will appreciate.
