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Tag: caltex

  • Viva Energy reports convenience sales decline in third quarter

    Viva Energy reports convenience sales decline in third quarter

    Viva Energy’s Convenience and Mobility (C&M) division has experienced a decrease in both convenience sales and fuel volumes in the third quarter. This shrinkage is attributed to the ongoing challenges within the retail fuel industry, as well as a reduction in the number of operational stores.

    Fall in Convenience Sales

    The company has reported a 12.5% drop in convenience sales, slipping down to $392 million from $448 million compared to the same period last year. However, excluding tobacco sales, the figures remained stable. Tobacco sales, on another note, witnessed a 15% dip year on year, consistent with the overall declining trend for the product category. However, the tobacco sales remained consistent on a month-to-month basis for this quarter.

    Margin Increase and Cost Reductions

    Despite the drop in sales, the convenience gross margin saw an increase to 41%, a rise of 3.5 percentage points. This increase was primarily driven by alterations in the product mix, range, and pricing. Consequently, the company assured that it remains on target to achieve $35 million in cost reductions and synergies during the second half of the fiscal year, achieved through system and organization consolidation.

    Store Openings and Future Plans

    The company has opened 21 new On The Run (OTR) stores this year, with an additional 15 currently under construction, expected to be completed by the end of the year. Six conversions of Liberty Convenience are also planned for the fourth quarter, with a few openings rescheduled to January to better match seasonal demand.

    C&M also plans to expand its Scan Pump Save app across its express network during the fourth quarter, aiming to provide customers with a unified digital experience and the ability to pay at the pump at company-controlled sites.

    Leadership Changes

    In related news, Jennifer Gray has been appointed as the interim CEO of the C&M division. As the company begins the search for a permanent CEO, Gray will be supported by independent non-executive director John Joyce. Her primary focus will be to drive top-line growth, capture synergies and cost reductions, and leverage common systems to improve operational performance.

    Questions & Answers

    What caused the decline in Viva Energy’s convenience sales and fuel volumes?
    The decrease in both convenience sales and fuel volumes is attributed to the ongoing challenges within the retail fuel industry and a reduction in the number of operational stores.

    What is the key cause of the increase in the convenience gross margin?
    The increase in convenience gross margin was primarily driven by alterations in the product mix, range, and pricing.

    What is the future plan of the C&M division regarding the Scan Pump Save app?
    C&M plans to expand its Scan Pump Save app across its express network during the fourth quarter to provide customers with a unified digital experience and the ability to pay at the pump at company-controlled sites.

  • Caltex set to float 49 per cent stake in 250 retail sites

    Caltex set to float 49 per cent stake in 250 retail sites

    Fuel and convenience retailer Caltex is planning to undertake an initial public offering (IPO) of up to a 49 percent stake in 250 retail sites.

    The retailer would retain a majority 51 percent interest and enter into a long-term lease agreement for each site. The 250 sites represent all the freehold sites in a core network of 500 sites.

    The retailer expects the proposed IPO to offer significant value for shareholders, while also allowing the company to maintain operational control of the core Convenience Retail network.

    “This transaction is expected to release significant capital that could be used to further strengthen the balance sheet, fund future growth opportunities and return capital to Caltex shareholders in a way that unlocks the franking credits balance, in line with our capital allocation framework,” Caltex chief financial officer Matt Halliday said in an update to the ASX on Monday.

    Caltex expects to make rental payments of between $80 million to $100 million to the property trust in the first year.

    At the company’s half-year results in August, a 54 percent drop in profit prompted plans to drive growth from an enhanced convenience offer through about 500 core sites. As part of its plans to reduce costs, the company is offloading 50 higher-value metropolitan petrol stations.

    Caltex issued an update on its convenience retail business on Monday morning, reporting that annual earnings before interest and tax is expected to be in the range of $190 ‐ 210 million, a significant increase on the first half of 2019, driven by an improvement in fuel margin.

    “Despite the softer conditions from ongoing Australian economic weakness, Caltex has continued to outperform our competitors in the retail fuel market by leveraging our fuel supply chain expertise and our high-quality retail network,” Caltex managing director and CEO, Julian Segal, said.

    Segal also pointed to the recent opening of the first Caltex Woolworths Metro store in North Ryde as another milestone for the retailer. A second store is set to launch in Kingsford, NSW, this week and a third will open in Melbourne early next year. A further update on the store rollout will be given at its Investor Day.

    If the proposed IPO is approved, the transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2020.

  • Gull continues CEO search

    Gull continues CEO search

    The leader of Caltex Australia for the past decade has announced his upcoming retirement.

    Managing director and chief executive Julian Segal, who started at the petrol and convenience business in 2009, will stay on board until a suitable replacement is found.

    Caltex chairman Steven Gregg said Segal has made significant contributions to the company during his tenure.

    “Julian has delivered outstanding outcomes for Caltex’s shareholders, improving operational and financial performance and steering the company through a number of challenges and transitions,” Gregg said.

    “We are pleased that Julian will continue to work to execute our strategy and ensure continuity of leadership as we implement plans to find his successor.”

    Julian oversaw major milestones in the petrol business, such as the closure of the Kurnell refinery, the establishment of Ampol Singapore, our expansion into New Zealand and the Philippines, and developing Caltex’s international fuel sourcing and supply chain, as well as driving an improved convenience offer in Australia.

    According to Gregg, Segal will be leaving an agile and resilient Caltex that is poised for further growth.

    Segal said leading the business has been an honour, and that he is committed to leading the business through the search for his replacement.

    “I am proud of what’s been achieved for shareholders, customers, employees and our community partners,” Segal said.

    “Caltex’s strength has always been its ability to adapt and transform and the company has an exciting future. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to deliver the Caltex strategy as the Board works through the succession process.”

    Caltex will deliver its half-year results later this month. It expects group earnings before interest and tax to be just $120-140 million, compared to the $443 million it reported in the 2018 half, due to difficult conditions rising from a slowing Australian economy.

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  • Caltex profit falls amid rising competition

    Caltex profit falls amid rising competition

    Increased competition and the rising price of crude oil had a negative impact on convenience and petrol station owner Caltex’s first quarter earnings.

    The retailer announced that earnings from both its fuels and infrastructure business and its convenience business were down in Q1 on the same period in 2018, which contributed to a net profit of $94 million, a 42.7 per cent drop on the $164 million in net profit it saw last year.

    Fuel earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) fell to $109 million, down from $156 million last year, while convenience retailing fell by over 50 per cent to $40 million, compared to an EBIT of $90 million in the three months to March 31, 2018.

    “Our result shows the impact of both lower refiner margins and a challenging retail environment this quarter,” said Caltex chief executive and managing director Julian Segal.

    “Our businesses’ strengths, including a strong balance sheet and our extensive network, as well as our steady focus on the execution of our strategy provide the foundation for delivery of our strategy in 2019.”

    Caltex said it will move ahead with the transition of franchise sites into company-owned operations, with over 70 per cent of the retail network now owned internally. The retailer also noted that agreements are in place for it to operate 99 per cent of sites by 2020, allowing the business to “better standardise and optimise the site’s performance.”

    Segal laid out the retailer’s growth plans for the remainder of 2019 for shareholders at its annual general meeting on Thursday, May 9, stating a focus on execution and discipline would assist both facets of its business deliver a stronger result in a challenging retail environment.

    “Fuels and infrastructure will continue to grow its earnings through its international business, [and] we will continue to run Australia’s largest transport fuel network safely and reliably,” Segal said.

    “Convenience retail is refocusing on our core fuel offer and will improve the in-store experience across our network to ensure we attract and retain more customers in a competitive fuels market.”

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  • Caltex putting digital foundations in place via App

    Caltex putting digital foundations in place via App

    Caltex Australia is investing heavily in new technology to make transactions at its petrol stations and convenience store sites more simple and seamless and enhance the customer experience as it expands into new areas, such as fresh food, healthy fast food, parcel collection and other services. The convenience retailer on Tuesday laid out a vision for the business that includes enabling customers to pay for fuel and pre-order coffee via app and updating prices and promotions in-store using digital signage. It is also testing use cases for payment via facial recognition and number plate recognition.

    Caltex believes these innovations will give it a competitive advantage in the lucrative $8 billion and growing convenience market going forward.

    The company’s innovation team, based out of the “C-lab”, was able to deliver a prototype of mobile checkout and mobile payments within weeks of the visit to China, and is now working on selecting appropriate sites for live trials, Da Ros said.

    This is just one example of the digital-first mindset the company has embraced through its work with technology partner, Microsoft.

    “It’s not about isolating a digital lab or a digital strategy, but instead it’s about ensuring seamless connectivity between key systems, processes, operational workflows and customer touchpoints – everything is connected,” Da Ros said about the company’s approach to innovation.

    This customer-first approach has led Caltex Australia to consider how it might enter new areas, as including fresh food, healthy fast food, parcel collection and a range of other services, as Australian demographics shift to two-income, time-strapped households.

    “The customers of the future will log in to their Caltex app, arrange to pick up the dry-cleaning and select something for dinner. They then drive into the Caltex site and an attendant will come to the car with everything the customer has ordered – including their favourite coffee,” Caltex CEO Julian Segal told.

    The technology investment comes as Caltex undergoes a significant transformation to position itself for growth in the highly competitive convenience market. This includes buying back hundreds of franchisee retail sites, growing retail and convenience revenues, strengthening fuel loyalty and embedding a digital-first mentality across the entire organisation.

  • Seaoil partners with Caltex Australia

    Seaoil partners with Caltex Australia

    Independent oil player Seaoil Philippines Inc. has taken in Caltex Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd. as long-term strategic partner for its expansion program.

    In a statement, Seaoil said it has signed a definitive agreement that forges a strategic partnership with Caltex Australia, which will acquire a 20 percent interest in the independent oil firm.

    “We have long sought for a strategic partner to complement our capabilities and competitive advantage, and we are optimistic that Caltex Australia, whose values we share and whose operations is like ours in complexity, can help accelerate our growth,” Seaoil chairman and founder Francis Yu said.

    The new strategic partnership will see Caltex Australia support Seaoil’s current growth strategy, which aims to double its retail network and terminal storage capacity over the next five years.

    Seaoil has over 400 stations nationwide located as far north as Aparri, all the way to the south in Sarangani.

    As part of the formation of the strategic partnership, Caltex Australia will supply fuel to Seaoil via Ampol, its fuel sourcing and shipping business in Singapore.

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    “This is an exciting growth opportunity for Caltex Australia. The fact that Seaoil has chosen to enter this partnership with us is a testament to the skills and capabilities we have been building over many years in our company. It also demonstrates the value that can be created from our position as an independent fuel supplier in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to being part of Seaoil’s growth over the coming years,” Caltex Australia CEO Julian Segal said.

    Caltex Australia is a 100 percent publicly-owned company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. It does not share any common ownership with the local Caltex brand, which is owned by Chevron Philippines Inc.

    In terms of size, Caltex Australia has a market capitalization of $6.5-7 billion, well above the combined market capitalization of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Petron Corp. by more than 70 percent.

    Caltex Australia supplies one-third of Australia’s transport fuel needs under the Caltex brand and has an extensive terminal and retail network including 76 depots, 12 terminals operated by Caltex, five major and bunker pipelines, nine airport jet fuel supply sites, and over 1,900 retail sites (including resellers and Australia’s largest retailer fuel network).

    In 2016, it sold over 16 billion liters of transport fuels and supply in excess of 70,000 commercial customers. It also has operations in New Zealand under the Gull brand and Singapore under the Ampol brand.

    In the Philippines, Seaoil has a six percent total market share and is a pioneer in alternative fuels like bioethanol gasoline and biodiesel.

    The company supplies approximately 1.5 billion liters annually through its vast network, its base fuels imported from select refineries in Japan, South Korea and Singapore and enhanced with STP additives. Seaoil conducts at least three daily checks on their fuels to check for consistency in purity and has experienced a 47 percent sales volume growth in the last three years.

    “This partnership will also mean exciting times for our employees, our franchisees, distributors and customers as we leverage our partner’s scale and expertise to provide high quality, affordable and accessible fuels and lubricants to the fast growing Philippine market.” Yu said.

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