The Honduran Terra Group has acquired the network of 32 service stations from PacificOil that will now be operated by UNO Guatemala.
The deal relates to the corporate division of Terra Oil, part of Terra Group, which acquired all of PacificOil's service stations in Guatemala, reported Elperiodico.com.gt.
"... The operation included the acquisition of the 32 stations operating under that brand in that country which will add to the 230 stations already operated by UNO Guatemala under the Shell brand license."
There has been a reduction in the number of independent gas stations and an increases the presence of corporate brands.
The gas stations business in Guatemala has been transformed in recent years, as fewer and fewer service stations are being operated by independent companies, many of which have sold their establishments or been acquired by international franchise brands.
The fuel company has announced a regional expansion process in El Salvador, Honduras and Panama.
Juan Salazar, manager of the company, explained that in 2013 they plan to open 75 stations in these countries, with a total investment of $48 million and an average cost of $500,000 per facility.
The company began in 2010 in Guatemala with one gas station, by the end of 2011 it had 16 and it now has 37 plus a further 21 planned in this country by the end of 2012, according to elperiodico.com.gt.
There are eight importers who supply more than 1,250 service stations; companies compete to attract customers with better services.
The purchase of Shell’s operations by Unopetrol, and Esso’s by Puma Energy, has spurred competition and is transforming the fuel sales market, with the opening of new retail outlets and additional service offers, such as car washing.
The company, part of the Terra Group, has completed the acquisition of Rubis Nicaragua.
After several months of negotiations, the fuel company Unopetrol has completed the buying process of Rubis Nicaragua, positioning itself as a leader in the oil market in Central America.
The agreement between the parties also includes the acquisition of assets in Costa Rica and Belize, in addition to all of Rubis‘s businesses.
The transnational has completed its purchase of Chevron gas stations, which operate under the Texaco brand name.
The transaction is worth over $30 million, said Cairo Amador, Executive Director at the National Institute for the Promotion of Competition, Procompetencia.
El Nuevo Diario consulted the director who said: "The transaction (the purchase of Texaco) was just completed last week, but I understand that is the first part because there is still a review period, which involves looking at all the terms and conditions imposed on that transaction. "
The companies that acquired the Shell and Texaco service stations are preparing for changes in operation.
Delta Petroleum of Panama, which last year bought the assets of Shell Costa Rica will invest $4 million in renovations and changes to the brand image, said Mauricio Barzun,general manager ofDelta Petroleum Costa Rica.
As of September, Shell service stations will have their name changed to Delta.
After Shell and Exxon withdrew from the Central American Market, companies Texaco, Unopetrol and Puma dominate fuel imports, storage, distribution and part of its commercialization in Honduras.
Sarahí Silva, head of the Honduran Association of Petrol Derivatives (Ahdippe), argued that such market concentration is prejudicial for the country and its consumers, and stressed the need for more players.