TotalEnergies New Zealand pride ourselves for having a clear strategy, one that involves all our partners: to be the best supplier of the best quality product, the best technical support and to be the best employer. Repetitive? We are ok with that.
Striving to be the best means clear direction. Build solid partnerships. And hiring people who are behind the vision 100%.
Behind the scenes, a lot of work goes into ‘being the best’. Deliveries at the dawn of day, logistical challenges, ongoing training to stay on top of the hundreds of product specifications… and above all: going the extra mile to ensure the customer gets maximum return out of his operational assets; by supplying the ideal lubricant.
Our milestones have made us the company we are today. Naturally, we are grateful for the opportunities and even challenges we faced along the way – as they have made us resilient. Growth has been the trend throughout our partnership with Total. Have a look at the TotalEnergies New Zealand timeline below and see for yourself:
Oil Intel celebrates its 20th year in business. The business further invests in people infrastructure through the appointment of a dedicated CFO and a Branch Operations Manager – confirming our belief that quality starts with our people.
Several changes again due to growth: Taranaki opens up, as well as the Lower North Island branch. Whangarei branch moves to a larger site. With the eye on gaining quality and greater efficiency, investments in several IT tools are being made – boosting the business into the next stage of its development.
Rotorua moves to larger premises. A People and Organisational Manager is appointed. Oil Intel is winner of the Hawke’s Bay Business Awards – category Large Business.
Oil Imports rebrands to Oil Intel to better reflect its offering and evolution as a company.
Oil Imports opens a large distribution centre in Nelson to better serve the South Island. Another branch is opened in Christchurch.
The next branch to open is located in Rotorua.
A Tauranga branch opens. The Auckland branch moves to larger premises as growth continues.
A Whangarei branch opens its doors, while Christchurch relocates to a larger site and the Hastings office expands. Meanwhile, Total opens the world’s largest blending plant in Singapore, bringing new efficiencies to its supply to Oil Imports.
The Taupo and new Dunedin branch open up. At head office, a dedicated marketing manager gets appointed.
Exponential growth leads to the building of a purpose-built head office in Hastings, with office as well as warehouse facilities.
The first independent company director is appointed to assist in finetuning direction.
With industry as well as product ranges growing, investing in knowledge is the next logical step: a dedicated technical support team is established.
Colin Francis and Reuben Thickpenny take ownership and expand the main distribution centre in Hawke’s Bay. Meeting the specific industry needs becomes a key focus: the process of expanding the product range begins.
Essential relationships with distributors are deepened with the introduction of a National Distributor Conference. The business makes significant investments in IT and stock holdings. All these steps will go towards laying strong foundations for the growth to come.
A first South Island branch, including warehouse, is being introduced in Dunedin: a strategic move towards wanting to supply when and where the customer wants.
The business continues to grow: further branches are opened in Auckland and Nelson.
Oil Imports, as we were named back then, is appointed as the authorised distributor for Total in New Zealand.
