Austrian energy firm OMV has decided to sell 100 of its 559 filling stations in Austria within the framework of an industry-customary network evaluation aimed at increasing efficiency and optimizing cost.
The planned sale will include 50 OMV and 50 Avanti filling stations throughout the country and will be finalized by the end of 2008. OMV said that its objective is to safeguard the continuity of filling stations and regional supply.
OMV said that this is the reason why it decided to sell the filling stations instead of closing them. Negotiations with interested parties are reportedly underway.
OMV stated that it is pursuing a growth strategy in the premium segment of the filling station market. The firm’s focus is on strengthening and further expanding good and highly frequented station locations as well as its Viva brand outlets.
Harald Joichl, head of OMV’s Austrian filling station business, said: With this program aimed at enhancing efficiency and optimizing the filling station network we are responding to the tough competition on the domestic fuel market. We are convinced that the further development of quality offerings represents the best recipe for long-term market success.