As New Zealand’s only family-owned independent oil company, Gull has committed to a long future in the country by building the new tank, which will bring TNZ’s total storage capacity to 88 million litres – the equivalent of approximately 35 Olympic swimming pools.

Dave Bodger, GM of Gull New Zealand, says the new tank will make the company’s Mt Maunganui fuel storage facility among the largest in New Zealand.

“The Whangarei refinery will have significant storage, but this build puts us within 15% of the capacity of the oil giant’s terminals in South Auckland.”

Bodger says that construction will start in earnest in January 2012 employing around 15 skilled workers. Gull has previously worked with the Tauranga firm Page and Macrae who were successful in the tender.

Bodger also says that Gull is proud to do business differently from the oil giants and proud to invest in New Zealand.

“Investing in key assets such as this new tank this gives Gull efficiencies over our opposition who in the main work with much smaller facilities and so duplicate costs all around the country. Modern, economic, state of the art storage enables Gull to keep pump prices low and discount even further when we can, and we’re currently the only ones who consistently give Kiwi motorists that choice.

Bodger notes that investment in infrastructure of this size is also a vote of faith in the Port of Tauranga.

“Mt Maunganui offers a central location for fuel distribution and Gull’s investment is a vote for in favour of the future of the New Zealand service station industry. While major oil companies are constantly evaluating their presence in this market, Gull views both New Zealand and Tauranga as a stable and reliable market to invest in.”
ENDS

For further information please contact:

Dave Bodger General Manager, Gull New Zealand, +64 9 489 1452, + 64 21 278 7737

Julien Leys, JML Communications, Mobile +64 21 655 598

About Gull
Gull New Zealand is the independent oil company that is credited with keeping the fuel market competitive and giving savings to the Kiwi motorist. It has become a serious player, offering a real choice for motorists in an extremely competitive market. The company remains today a family owned operation.

Gull New Zealand was founded in 1998 by the Rae family who saw the need and potential for an independent energy supplier. Adherence to a philosophy of low cost management, prudent investment decisions and a carefully planned marketing strategy commenced with the building of a state of the art terminal in Mount Maunganui in 1998. Tanks were relocated from Marsden Point by barge, a feat the opposition said was “impossible”.

Gull New Zealand made the first retail sales of petrol in 1999 and has grown the network to over 40 branded sites.

Gull has been a first mover in introducing innovative new products to the New Zealand energy market. These include low sulphur diesel bringing environmental benefits well ahead of the opposition, as well as New Zealand’s first biofuel, Gull Force 10 (a 10% ethanol mixed with premium gasoline giving higher octane and cleaner performance).

2010 saw Gull achieve another first and extend its environmental focus with release of Gull Diesel Max, a high quality bio diesel blend sourced from sustainable New Zealand vegetable oil.

Gull now has four service stations that only sell bio fuels which is another first for New Zealand.

For more information please visit www.gull.co.nz