National Petroleum News (NPN) has been the independent voice of the petroleum industry since 1909 as the opposition to Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. So, motor fuels marketing and retail is not just a sideline for us, it’s our core competency.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/31797
TOP OF THE NEWS SIGMA Spring Convention The Society of Independent gasoline marketers of America Spring Convention, held April 7-11 at the St. Regis, Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point, California was another excellent event for its attendees. While the weather was a bit cool for the season it was sunny and pleasant and provided a fine backdrop for a range of networking and educational opportunities. The legislative meeting provided its usual high attendance and deep discussion of the issues and actions on those issues facing association members and the industry at large. One notable announcement saw the formal creation and staffing of an association legislative grass roots support function. Another highlight was the opportunity to examine and drive a range of alternative fueled vehicles including electric, fuel cell, diesel, and E85 hybrid (as shown in the photo above). The 2012 SIGMA Spring Convention will be held in Naples, Florida at the Naples Grande Hotel on May 8-11. The next SIGMA Annual Meeting will be held in Washington, DC at the J.W. Marriott Hotel on November 3-6, 2011. lection and analytics—announced that KSS Fuels will acquire MPSI and that the respective organizations will be merged, effective in late May, subject to shareholder approval. In addition to integrating both companies’ fuel pricing software and analytics, the combined organiza- tion will build upon MPSI’s network planning capabilities globally to serve petroleum, convenience and grocery retailers of all sizes and in all segments of the market. It will also leverage the companies’ collective research, sales and marketing resources to diversify into new market verticals and sectors. “Together, we will provide global reach, unparalleled service and a com- prehensive suite of proven solutions to deliver even greater value to customers 10 MAY/JUNE 2011 in our existing markets and to serve the rapidly developing needs of customers in emerging fuels markets,” said Bob Stein, president and chief executive officer of KSS Fuels, who will manage the combined entity. James Auten, president and chief executive officer of MPSI, added, “This presents an opportunity to introduce MPSI’s network planning products and data services to customers with which KSS Fuels already has relation- ships, to have the combined entity develop new consulting and analytic services to bring to market and to leverage the collective resources of the organization to accelerate progress in non-petroleum sectors.” The companies currently serve approximately 500 customers in more than 80 countries, with little overlap in customer base. KSS Fuels will continue to operate under both the KSS Fuels and MPSI brands for the foreseeable future, and will maintain and service existing products. Its headquarters will be in Manchester, UK, with MPSI offices remaining in Tulsa, Okla., and interna- tional locations. n Cumberland Farms store managers honored by New England Convenience Store Association Cumberland Farms’ store managers won top prizes for operations, cus- tomer service and leadership from the New England Convenience Store Association (NESCA). The NESCA NPN Magazine n www.npnweb.com