Northern California fuel jobber Flyers Energy recently signed a multi-station contract with SAMCO of Bakersfield CA, and reimaged three SAMCO convenience store stations under the Shell brand.
Each reimage package comes with a 10-year distribution deal to be serviced by Flyers Transportation. Flyers currently represents five different fuel brands to approximately 120 independent fuel stations.
“Each deal requires a creative approach to determine and satisfy the needs of the station owner and the wants of the brand,” said Shelly Thomas, Flyers Energy wholesale manager. “When it’s time to renew their contract, owners often have their sights on a specific brand, but it may not be the best match for the station.”
Major distributors may have specific requirements like minimum volumes, driveway access, number of dispensers and a minimum distance from sites of the same brand. Flyers says it routinely assesses the station owner’s needs and challenges in order to choose the right brand partner for that location.
“A wholesale contract represents a long-term relationship, not a quick score,” said Jay Galvin, Flyers Energy’s director of sales and marketing. “We want to have a respectful partnership with the dealer so that it benefits all parties.
“The dealer’s success is what we consider a win.”
Flyers Energy, which distributes approximately 2 million gallons of fuel per day, is celebrating 40 years in business this year.
