Vivo launch citizen lubricant firm
Staff Writer | Thursday March 13, 2014 18:28
During his three-day visit Christian Chammas will launch Gas Oil Energy, a firm founded last year by Goeditswe Gaomodimo and Ditirwa Mphoeng. The young company was appointed an official Shell Lubricants distributor for Botswana last October.
“The formation of the company was a response to government’s call for entrepreneurial citizens to establish own local companies to position themselves for a working partnership with Botswana Oil Limited,” reads a statement from the new firm.
“Gas Oil Energy’s current primary business focus is selling and distribution of Shell branded standard, premium and synthetic lubricants and coolants.
“We define our market as different segments but not limited to motorists, bikers, transport, construction, agriculture and industrial applications, including mining.” Officials said Gas Oil Energy was presently the fourth lubricants firm in the market in terms of prominence and had hopes of achieving second position by the end of 2016.
Gaomodimo and Mphoeng were previously supply manager and commercial manager at Shell Oil Botswana respectively. Vivo’s entry into the market came after Shell announced that it would pull out of 16 African states in order to focus on exploration and production of oil instead of refining and marketing. At the time of its exit, Shell was the largest retailer in Botswana.
Vivo Energy took over Shell’s 44 retail stations in Botswana, retaining all staff as well as the Shell brand.