Chevron steps up expansion program

MANILA, Philippines - Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), one of the country’s major oil players, is planning to put up at least 20 new service stations this year, a ranking company official said.

The US-based oil giant carries the Caltex brand in its Philippine operations.

Jim Meynink, Chevron country chairman, said the company recently opened two stations in Davao and Cavite.

He said they are also in the process of upgrading existing retail stations to carry a new “refresh image”. The upgrade will also involve changing of lighting and cleaner comfort rooms.

“These changes reflect Caltex’s confidence in our partners. They are designed to increase our efficiency and cement our presence here in the Philippines. Our strategy for Caltex is to aggressively upgrade and expand our network and facilities in growth centers around the country,” he said.

Meynink noted that Caltex standardized its design components to offer a simplified yet sleek and more colorful look meant to enhance the appearance and function of every Caltex station. The new design enables retailers to drive down costs by taking advantage of new technologies and energy efficiencies that the new Caltex image brings.

“Caltex also unveiled an all-new service station image refresh, which is currently rolling out throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Forecourts are brighter and more contemporary, and the canopy lights are safer and more welcoming at night,” he added.

In the Philippines, the image refresh started as early as the fourth quarter of 2010. The company has more than 850 service stations in the Philippines.

Caltex global brand manager Brian Fisher, for his part, stressed they are committed to remain as a key energy player in the country.

“We are here for the long haul and we are here to stay. Asia-Pacific is one of Chevron’s strategic markets. The Philippines, in particular, is at the center of this market and we’re looking at a brighter future here,” he said.

In aviation, Caltex has become a leading jet fuel supplier for hundreds of airlines at 27 airports in 80 countries, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines, providing the needs of both domestic and international carriers.

CPI is among the country’s largest investors, with more than $2 billion in capital investments. Its subsidiaries provide direct and indirect employment for at least 18,000 people nationwide. It operates through four business units in the Philippines: the two upstream units are Chevron Geothermal Philippines Holdings Inc. (formerly Unocal) and Chevron Malampaya LLC; the downstream units are CPI and Chevron Holdings Inc., a business processes organization.

CPI markets a range of petroleum products in the Philippines under the Caltex brand name, including motor gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, and more than 40 different lubricating oil and greases, to motorists and industrial users.

In 2003, CPI converted its refinery in San Pascual, Batangas, into a world-class finished products import terminal. The company also operates two other terminals - in Pandacan, Manila and in Lapu-lapu, Cebu.

CPI has 17 terminals, depots and sales offices throughout the country including a finished lubricants products receipt and distribution center. It also maintains facilities at the country’s premier international gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, for providing the jet fuel requirement of local and international airlines.

In March 2006, the company changed its name from Caltex (Philippines) Inc. to align itself with its parent company, Chevron Corp., which operates in 180 countries at present.