The Co-op has switched 28 sites to Valero supply in a single day in the largest conversion of sites in one day that either company has ever attempted.
Valero, which last year agreed a long-term supply contract with the Co-op to be its principal fuel supplier, will now supply a total of 115 Co-op service stations across the UK. The sites are a mix of Co-op and Texaco branded.
Eddie Jenkinson, national fuels manager, Co-op, said: “Developing great partnerships is key to our approach and we are pleased to build on our work with Valero as we continue to create petrol filling stations that are seen as a community hub locally – delivering the food and fuel needs that our members and customers need, conveniently.”
Part of the campanies’ collaboration has seen the introduction of an auto replenishment system, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI). The system gives the supplier a live data feed from the retailer’s fuel tanks that enables it to predict demand and deliver fuel to a site when needed. This allows better planning and management of product supply for the retailer.
Simon Fawkes, national account manager for Valero, said: “I was particularly impressed with the enthusiasm, interest and cooperation shown by all the Co-op store and team managers. A number of the sites had been supplied by Valero previously, so it is a real pleasure for Valero to welcome them back and to welcome the new ones too. In addition to these 28 sites, a further two sites will be added in the coming months, bringing the total to 30.”
Andrew Cox, Valero’s director of sales and marketing, said: “We’ve worked with the Co-op since 2005 and our long-term partnership has certainly helped facilitate our success in delivering this project. I’m thrilled that we’re now supplying a further 28 Co-op sites and it’s great news that we’ve been able to bring this project together successfully in such challenging circumstances.”
No comments yet