Shell Expands Retail Footprint in Chicago

PRNewswire: Shell Expands Retail Footprint in Chicago

Leading Chicago-area Wholesalers to add Gasoline Stations to Shell-Branded Network

HOUSTON, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — Shell Oil Products US (Shell), the marketer of the No. 1 selling gasoline brand in America, announced today that it has signed agreements with three leading wholesalers to bring a number of new Shell-branded gasoline stations to the greater Chicago area, making it even easier for area motorists to purchase high-quality Shell fuels. Leading Chicago-area gasoline wholesalers Graham Enterprise Inc., Parent Petroleum and Texor Petroleum Company will distribute Shell-branded gasoline to converted and new construction sites.

“Signing agreements with these leading wholesalers will enable Shell to expand its retail gasoline network to benefit Chicago drivers. All Shell gasolines stop gunky build-up on critical engine parts to help cars perform at their best,” said Kevin Autin, retail general manager for the Mid-Continent region, Shell Oil Products US. “These wholesalers are established and growth- oriented retail fuel industry veterans with deep knowledge of the Chicago area, and like Shell also are dedicated to providing customers with a consistent and pleasant experience.”

This deal further enables Shell to achieve its vision of becoming the best gasoline supplier in the world. Currently, there are more than 14,000 Shell- branded stations in the United States that offer quality fuels and services. The substantial commitments made by the three Chicago-area wholesalers will eventually increase Shell’s market volume by approximately one-third, giving the Shell brand approximately 20 percent of the total retail gasoline market in Chicago (per NPD data).

Graham Enterprise owns and operates 27 gasoline stations in the Chicago area. Parent Petroleum, the leading gasoline distributor to independent dealers in Northern Illinois, also operates its own retail units. Texor Petroleum, the largest independent wholesale gasoline distributor in Illinois, supplies gasoline to dealers throughout northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, and operates 12 privately owned retail locations. Combined, the three wholesalers have about 150 years of experience in the retail fuels industry.

“Along with Graham Enterprise and Parent Petroleum, we are very proud to join the Shell network,” said Thomas Gleitsman, chairman & CEO, Texor Petroleum Company. “Shell has been a trusted source of high-quality fuels for more than 100 years. In addition, Shell is committed to providing a bright, clean and comfortable environment for its customers.”

Local consumers can take advantage of rebates on quality Shell fuels by calling 1-877-MY-SHELL or logging onto www.877MyShell.com to apply for the Shell Platinum MasterCard(R) from Citi Cards. The Shell MasterCard currently offers one of the best rebate programs in the industry with a 5 percent rebate on Shell quality fuels and a 1 percent rebate on retail purchases anywhere the card is used.

Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, is a leader in the refining, transportation and marketing of fuels, and has a network of approximately 6,100 branded gasoline stations in the Western United States. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group [NYSE: RDS.A and NYSE: RDS.B]. For more information, please visit www.shell.com.

Graham Enterprise Inc., a family owned business, has been a part of the retail fuels industry for more than 75 years. The company owns and operates 27 c-stores with carwashes, and supplies additional outlets with approximately 100 million gallons annually. “Maverick,” Graham’s branded carwash operation, is regarded the exterior standard in Chicago. Located in Mundelein, Il., John Graham can be reached @ 847-837-0785.

Parent Petroleum is a dominant fuels and lubricants distributor with operations throughout Illinois, whose roots date back to 1965. Parent Petroleum’s volume of over 250 million gallons per year has come as a result of working closely with its dealer network, and by providing innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the retail fuels industry. Parent Petroleum’s highest-volume facility, “The Pride of Lake County,” commonly throughputs in excess of one million gallons per month. Parent Petroleum is based in St. Charles, Ill., and can be found online at www.parentpetroleum.com.

Texor Petroleum is the largest independent gasoline distributor in Illinois, and is a successful operator of gasoline stations, convenience stores and car wash facilities throughout the state. Through its affiliate McMahon Cartage, Texor maintains a fleet of carrier vehicles that haul exclusively for the company. With headquarters in Riverside, Ill., Texor can be found online at www.texor.com.
 
Website: http://www.shell.com/
Website: http://www.877MyShell.com/
Website: http://www.parentpetroleum.com/
Website: http://www.texor.com/

http://sev.prnewswire.com/oil-energy/20080407/LAM049A07042008-1.html

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.