22nd December 2006
Company actively looking to open new sites and grow market share
[Date] Topaz Energy – the company which has purchased the retail and commercial fuels operations of both Statoil and Shell in the last 18 months has announced details of the new management team to run the euro3.5 billion business.
The appointment of the new team marks the commencement of the merger of the two businesses. And while the public will continue to see both the Statoil and Shell brands on the forecourts for some time to come, the two businesses will soon be merged in every other respect. Head office functions are to be located in Clonskeagh in Dublin 4 and a detailed plan for the integration of the two businesses is now being rolled out across the networks.
Formed just 14 months ago, Topaz has quickly become one of Ireland’s largest privately owned companies. Turnover for 2007 is projected at above euro3.5 billion. The company employs 1,300 people directly and a further 3,000 indirectly through dealers and other service providers.
The company is 100% Irish owned and independent both of existing players in the Irish marketplace and of the international oil managers. The company directly owns own 105 retail forecourts with a further 220 sites operated by independent dealers under licence. The company also owns the worldwide rights for the Fareplay Convenience brand and will now operate a network of 70 Fareplay convenience stores.
The new management team comprises:
- Danny Murray – Chief Executive
- Frank Bergin, Chief Operations Officer
- Tim Dolphin, Finance Controller
- Frank Gleeson, Retail Director
Liam Mulcahy, Commercial Director
- Paul Candon, HR/HSE Director
- Alan McLean, Director Business Development and Corporate Affairs
Speaking today, Danny Murray, Chief Executive, said; “One of our key objectives for the coming months will be to grow the combined market shares of Statoil and Shell and with that in mind, we’re actively looking at opportunities to open a number of new service stations. We hope to conclude a number of deals in this regard during the course of the coming months.”