Gulf Oil to establish fuel retail network in Japan

Gulf Oil International, which is part of the Hinduja Group, an Indian conglomerate headquartered in London, announced its plan to build a fuel retail network in Japan. The Hinduja Group also owned Houghton International, which was recently sold to Quaker Chemical.

“We are truly excited to be launching a Gulf fuel retail network in Japan, one of the world’s key automotive markets,” said Paul Stannard, Gulf Oil International business manager.

He said more details will be forthcoming in August, but current plans call for establishing a new company for this business.

The new business aims to convert 10% of Japan’s “non-branded, independent” service stations to the Gulf brand. These “non-branded stations” are the initial targets because they are relatively easy to put up. They also require less turnaround time.

The Gulf brand is present in 26 countries, consisting of more than 1,500 fuel retail outlets. Gulf Oil is the fastest growing fuel retailer in the UK, with more than 500 outlets. In addition to Japan, Gulf Oil is building retail networks in Albania, Canada, Philippines and Mexico.

The company said it aims to have a presence in 60 countries within the next five years and has ongoing discussions in several countries in Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America and Africa.

Gulf Oil also participates in the lubricants market. The company offers five different types of lubricants: fleet and commercial, industrial, agricultural, automotive and marine.