Fuel station in Laos unveiled to promote PTT retail brand

The first of the planned 60 stations by 2017 was unveiled today in Vientiane, to cater for modern lifestyles.

The opening was presided over by Dr. Nam Viyaketh, Lao Minister of Industry and Trade, and Pailin Chuchottaworn, PTT president & CEO. This platinum PTT Life Station, the first outside Thailand, is designed to popularize the PTT brand among the region and timed for the launch of AEC.

Thailand’s neighbouring countries and the ASEAN region are considered a market with vast potential for PTT’s business expansion to become a leading Thai multinational company, said Pailin.

The launch of a platinum PTT Life Station, which has met with considerable success in Thailand, in Laos is regarded as a pilot retail investment move into a neighbouring country.  Laos is a high-potential market and a land link for Thailand to Vietnam, Cambodia, and China—all with healthy growth rates, particularly China, which is a huge market with 1.5 billion inhabitants.  PTT is also keen to invest in countries with growth prospects like Myanmar and the Philippines, he added.

PTT plans to invest Bt5-Bt6 billion in the retail oil markets in ASEAN over 2012-2016, aiming to expand the number of service stations in Laos from 20 today to 60 by the end of 2017 at an outlay of no less than Bt800 million.  Its goal is to grow PTT’s market share in Laos into number 2, rising from 150 million litres in sales which makes it No.3 player with a 13 market share at present. Leaders in the market are Lao State Fuel Company and PetroVietnam.

            “PTT’s policy is to invest in the retail fuel business in ASEAN more explicitly, aiming at becoming a top-three retail brand in a given country—not just for oil and lubricating oil marketing, but also for other retail marketing activities accompanying service stations, like Café Amazon and Jiffy convenience stores,” said the PTT President & CEO.  

           As in Thailand, this station provides quality fuels and services under the same standards as found in Thailand, and serves as a rest area for travellers, complete with amenities and integrated outlets.  These include a lubricating oil exchange center (Procheck), greasing & engine cleaning and air-conditioning system check-up service center (Wizard Autocare), and computerized gasoline pump control with sophisticated, standardized systems from Thailand.  Complementing these are a Café Amazon shop from Thailand together with stores and service outlets under local brands, including financial services and convenience stores.

 

            In addition, PTT values community and environmental stewardship by applying projects resulting from HM the King’s initiatives at this service station, namely vetiver planting in landscaping and soil improvement, and the installation of Chaipattana Low-speed Surface Aerators to improve the quality of water at the entrance to the service station.  This is also a tribute to HM the King in a foreign country. PTT also donated traffic cones in support of traffic management in Vientiane.