Sterling Petroleum’s Success with Gulf
Supported by Gulf Retail, 37-year-old Nakendram Piratheepan is successfully transforming small and sometimes run down forecourts across Wales and the South-West into thriving businesses. He has already built a portfolio of 10 sites and promises that there’s more to come, yet!
- Profits have surged from £100k to £500k in three years, with a substantial contribution from Gulf’s premium grade fuel.
- Mid Glam Service Station has grown to pump over 2 million litres annually, with turnover of £20k+ per week from the shop and £1,000 per week from the car wash.
- Bourton-on-the-Hill forecourt is achieving over 3 million litres pumped annually with £20k+ weekly shop revenue.
Discover the success of Nakendram’s Gloucestershire-based company, Sterling Petroleum LTD, then contact the Gulf team to learn how we can support your thriving business.
Gulf UK's role in transforming Sterling Petroleum's forecourts
Gulf retail partnership: a catalyst for growth
With Gulf’s support, Sterling Petroleum has boosted sales in their Mid-Glam Service Station in Aberdare.
This service station now pumps over 2 million litres per annum, has a shop turnover of £20k per week and generates £1000 per week from the car wash. It is an impressive transformation of a site that was closed and with zero revenue.
At Mid Glam, Nakendram spent every available hour working on the forecourt to understand the business and the community it serves. He invested heavily, upgrading the forecourt, installing new tanks, pumps, offering fuel cards and creating a modern Londis convenience store.
Nakendram expresses great satisfaction in exceeding volume targets at one of his Gulf partnered forecourts in Bourton-on-the-hill.
“Nothing gives me more pleasure than to phone Sam or National Accounts Manager, Nicola McKeown when we exceed our volume targets as we did recently at Bourton-on-the-Hill. We estimated 2m litres and are currently over 3m with £20k plus a week shop revenue.”
Access to Gulf’s innovative technology
Gulf UK is dedicated to innovation. Gulf Oil UK has been awarded the Best Oil Company Initative at the Forecourt Trader Awards for four consecutive years (2020-2023), notably for our exclusive Foresite tool, which retailers like Nakendram have had great success with.
“The technology allows us to smoothly manage the business from a single point.”
Foresite is a powerful telemetry system that enhances fuel, shop, and car wash sales performance for our retailers, providing a significant boost to business operations. By joining Gulf UK, you can leverage this cutting-edge technology and drive your success in the industry.
Enhanced customer retention and acquisition
Customers are encouraged to participate in Gulf Oomph loyalty scheme , which helps drive repeat business and shop sales, despite the cost-of-living crisis, “Motorists are having to be so much more price conscious to manage their monthly budgets and now even a 1ppl differential at the pumps is influencing behaviour. With Gulf we have a respected brand, the new image is popular with customers and Gulf’s Oomph loyalty scheme adds an extra dimension to our promotional activity.”
Support with balancing forecourt costs
The rise in utility bills is a concern that can be overwhelming for many independent fuel retailers. However, with Gulf, retailers like Nakendram have been able to keep these costs under control, “It is far from ideal to see utilities soaring and we are working alongside Gulf to contain these.”
Trusting & understanding business needs
Gulf’s is committed to adding value to each forecourt, meaning we’re dedicated working hard with our retailers, ensuring they feel understood in the ever-changing landscape of the fuel retail industry, “Gulf offers strong margins, flexible delivery arrangements, good credit terms and a commitment to reduce our costs and drive-up revenues. From the tanker drivers and order office through to the company’s management, it is a partnership of trust and understanding.”
Charting the future of Sterling Petroleum
As an ambitious Managing Director, Nakendram notes how his team look to expand across the UK: “We have a fantastic team, all committed to the cause and eager to play a part in our expansion. We have taken rapid growth in our stride and there is no reason why this should not continue.”
With the Sterling Team eager to make stride in the fuel industry, Nakendram also plans to keep his team and customers happy to ensure future success across the Sterling Petroleum forecourts, “We want our workplace to always be a happy place because that will transfer through to our customers and we all know in this frenetic business that there is nothing more important than a contented customer.”
Aligned with Gulf’s vision for improving the retail fuel industry, Nakendram also shares his personal goals, “I want to be a driving force of positive change in our industry.”
Nakendram also emphasizes his ongoing commitment to supporting charities that hold significance for the Sterling Petroleum team, “We give 10% of our profits to charity each year, relying upon the input of our staff to determine which worthy causes we support. It is so rewarding for all of us when we see the impact, for example, of helping children in the UK with autism to thrive.”
Join Gulf UK
Unlock new opportunities for your business by joining the Gulf network. Whether you’re looking for growth, support, or innovation, Gulf is dedicated to helping you achieve your business goals.
Excited about partnering with Gulf, one of the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt brands?
Take the next step towards a prosperous partnership with Gulf and start your journey towards success!
