Petroleum Retail and Wholesale
Holding the Group's petroleum interests through Star Energy Resources, trading as Star Fuels.
Transforming the Energy Industry in Townships and Rural Communities
Star Energy Resources (Pty) Ltd, trading as Star Fuels, was established in 2016 with the aim of providing quality service and convenience to communities. The company is a 100% black-owned brand and forms the Group's presence in the petroleum sector.
Star Fuels was established to assist communities and individuals to form cooperatives so as to independently own petrol stations and contribute to radical transformation in South Africa by providing quality service and the best customer experience in the fuel industry. The business was born out of observing filling stations in townships and rural areas that were often run down and badly managed.
The company has developed its own brand identity, which sets the standard for the development of every new site. Once a site is identified — whether a distressed or white site — two sets of approvals and authorisation licences are required: land use rights for the purposes of a filling station, and environmental authorisation with a site and retail licence.
Its vision is to be a preferred petroleum company that provides unparalleled service to the communities in which it operates while delivering strong growth. Its mission is to build a community-centric, dynamic company by creating employment and new business opportunities and empowering emerging entrepreneurs in the petroleum industry, guided by the values of accountability, empowerment, integrity, quality, respect, stewardship and teamwork.
Retail Network, Products and Services
Retail Network
Star Fuels opened its first site in Klipgat, Mabopane, before expanding into Soweto and beyond. Operating sites include Star Fuels Mayibuye (Pimville, Soweto), Star Fuels Mapetla (Soweto) and Star Fuels Brits (North West). An expansion programme is underway, with sites in the pipeline or under construction in Dusseldorp (Tzaneen), Tasbet Park (Witbank), Ga-Matlala (Limpopo), Delmas (Gauteng), Louis Trichardt (Limpopo) and Kgabalatsane (North West).
Products and Services
Fuel products include ULP 93 and 95, 50ppm diesel and Star Fuels lubricants. Services span in-house pump and tank maintenance and installations, innovative retail branding, site and retail licence applications, retail site development and truck stop development.
Cooperative Business Model
A unique business cooperative model assists prospective and aspiring filling station owners to refurbish and brand their new business through a cost-effective funding process, including distressed and closed sites.
Convenience Management
Convenience management services are offered to forecourt shops, covering loyalty programmes, promotions, competitions, optimal merchandising and the standardisation of services, with customer service monitored through mystery shopper visits and customer rating cards.
B-BBEE Objectives and People
Star Fuels aims to contribute to the creation of wealth for previously disadvantaged black businesses through its cooperative model applied to closed and distressed sites, and to participate in corporate social investment projects. When a site becomes operational, opportunities open for both skilled and unskilled employees — 90% of employees must come from the community in which the site operates — supported by in-house training and opportunities to grow within the company.