With over 1,000 retail forecourts now supplying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – Autogas and an estimated 250,000 converted vehicles on the road by 2004, many independent retailers are responding to motorists’ demands. Skipbridge filling station, situated on the A59 between Harrogate and York, is the latest outlet to offer Calor Autogas, retailing at half the price of petrol or diesel.
 David Aykroyd, owner of the Skipbridge refuelling site for thirty one years, was given the opportunity to supply Autogas in November 1999. “As a well established filling station, we were keen to keep up with changes in the marketplace and maintain high levels of customer support,” he says. “In order to meet customer demand, we felt that including Calor Autogas in our range of forecourt fuels was essential.”
Following the installation of a Calor Autogas refuelling pump at the Skipbridge refuelling site in Green Hammerton, Yorkshire, motorists in the area can now halve their fuel costs by filling up converted vehicles with Calor Autogas – the real fuel alternative.
David Aykroyd has also seen increased profit margins since the installation: “The profit margins from selling Autogas are far more attractive than that of petrol and diesel, meaning that I will recoup my initial outlay very quickly,” he says.
Paul Hardwick, sales development manager for Calor Autogas, points out that the UK network continues to grow. “The launch of Skipbridge filling station as a Calor Autogas refuelling outlet illustrates the growing availability of LPG, as a lower cost, readily accessible fuel alternative,” he says. “Skipbridge also boasts the latest forecourt technology through a fully integrated dispenser with a data link back to the kiosk.”
 The number of Autogas powered vehicles in the UK is predicted to rise from 55,000 in 2001 to 250,000 by 2004. The retail infrastructure continues to grow - one new Autogas installation joins the network each day and UK refuelling sites already number more than 1,000.
Calor Autogas provides an integrated project approach which provides retailers with all the assistance they need. “We handle the project from the outset until completion, ensuring a hassle free process,” says Paul Hardwick. “We co-ordinate site meetings between planning authorities, petroleum officers and civil contractors, assist with planning applications and ensure that stated timescales are met.”
Calor’s unrivalled delivery network ensures reliability of LPG supply and the Skipbridge site now features two 2,000 litre tanks, refilled automatically by Calor every week. The site sells around 2,500 litres of Calor Autogas a week and Calor’s computerised system ensures that supplies never run low.
David Aykroyd, also the proud owner of a Calor Autogas converted Daimler, reports a steady increase in Calor Autogas sales since the installation. “In ten months, we have sold about forty tonnes of gas, so we’re well on our way to meeting our first year’s target,” he says.
 “Calor’s reputation and delivery reliability were at the forefront in convincing us to install Autogas,” he says. “It’s proved a real winner with motorists and delivered increased business for us. Retail demand for LPG is set to increase.”
Calor’s Paul Hardwick reinforces the point that retailers can profit by responding to motorists’ demands. “The network is continually growing and with Calor, retailers can tap into an unrivalled support service which handles the project from initial survey, through the planning process to installation,” he says.
“They can also realise the increased profit opportunity, as a refuelling station selling 100 tonnes per annum, could see profits of around £22,000 in the first year of trading.”
“The advantages of Autogas have been recognised for some time,” he adds. “With more manufacturers’ models available, increasing numbers of LPGA approved engine convertors, and a growing retail infrastructure, as we’ve seen at Skipbridge, the arguments have never been stronger”.
|
Calor Home Page
