United Petroleum

United Petroleum
Company typePrivate
IndustryFuel retail and distribution
Founded1993
FounderAvi Silver
Eddie Hirsch
Headquarters
Hawthorn, Victoria
,
Australia
Number of locations
450+ sites (2020)
Number of employees
2500
SubsidiariesPie Face
Websiteunitedpetroleum.com.au

United Petroleum is an Australian petrol retailer and importer. It was established in 1993 and, as of October 2020, has over 450 petrol stations in Australia.[1] The company also owns Pie Face, a pie outlet it acquired in 2017 and subsequently rolled out to many of its service stations.

History

United Petroleum's origins can be traced back to 1981, when United's owners Avi Silver and Eddie Hirsch commenced operating service stations under the Astron banner in Victoria.[2] Astron was closely associated with Esso. By 1990, the company had opened 23 new sites throughout Victoria.[3]

United Petroleum was established in 1993, with the opening of a chain of service stations/convenience stores in South Australia.[2] It expanded operations in Victoria, and over the next two years built networks in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. It later expanded into the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia.[3]

In the mid 2000s, it acquired fuel import terminals in New South Wales, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Victoria.[3] In 2011, United purchased an ethanol biorefinery in Dalby, Queensland.[4]

In September 2015, ABC News was told by United Petroleum franchisees that staff at some locations were being underpaid. United rejected the allegations, saying "If any Franchisee is not paying award wages then the Franchisee would be clearly in breach of their Franchise Agreement with United".[5] The Fair Work Ombudsman launched an investigation resulting in raids on 12 locations in 2017. The FWO found payroll compliance issues at five of the locations and a total of 46 employees were underpaid. Two locations entered enforceable undertakings with the regulator, two locations were issued compliance notices and three were issued letters of caution.[6]

In September 2016, United Petroleum filed documents with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission to list the company on the Australian Securities Exchange.[7] However the listing did not proceed, with United becoming involved in a legal dispute with advisors Herbert Smith Freehills.[8] The case was dismissed in June 2018 with United ordered to pay HSF unpaid legal fees plus interest.[9]

In April 2017, United Petroleum acquired Pie Face from receivership for an undisclosed sum.[10] It subsequently sold Pie Face products at many of its United locations.[11]

In 2021 a number of former franchisees sued the company for allegedly unfair termination.[12]

In December 2022, United was fined $75,000 for dumping soil from a demolished petrol station site near the Noosa River in 2013.[13]

On 27 February 2024, United Petroleum announced the successful acquisition of a license to enter Sri Lanka's retail petroleum products market.[14] To establish operations in the country, the Australian company incorporated United Petroleum Lanka Private Limited and signed an agreement with the Board of Investment (BoI) for a US$27.5 million investment in the importation, storage, and sale of petroleum products on 4 June 2024.[15] United Petroleum Sri Lanka commenced its operations on 28 August 2024.[16]

United Petroleum is reportedly planning to establish a food manufacturing venture in Sri Lanka under its Pie Face brand. The company intends to invest approximately US$20-30 million in this project, which will be managed by its wholly-owned local subsidiary, United Petroleum Lanka Private Limited.[17]

Sponsorships

Between 2014 and 2016, United Petroleum was the official supplier of E85 fuel for the Supercars Championship,[18] after which Shell took over the supply deal.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Rice, Stephen (31 October 2020). "Petrol giant accused of misleading motorists on fuel". The Australian. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Greenblat, Eli (26 December 2021). "Saudi Arabia's Aramco Trading Co signs MOU with Australia's United Petroleum to collaborate on fuel and logistics". The Australian. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "About Us". United Petroleum. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  4. ^ Nason, James (24 May 2011). "New owner for sorghum to ethanol plant". Beef Central. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  5. ^ Taylor, Josie (2 September 2015). "Wage abuse claims spread to petrol chain United Petroleum". ABC News. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  6. ^ Ferguson, Adele; Danckert, Sarah (5 April 2017). "United Petroleum blasted by Fair Work Ombudsman for underpaying staff". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  7. ^ United Petroleum sets IPO deadline Petrol World 22 September 2016
  8. ^ Han, Misa (3 April 2018). "Herbert Smith Freehills blamed for failed United Petroleum IPO". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  9. ^ Han, Misa (25 June 2018). "Herbert Smith Freehills wins court battle against United Petroleum". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  10. ^ Chung, Frank (13 April 2017). "United Petroleum acquires Pie Face". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  11. ^ Rice, Stephen (4 November 2020). "Pastry chain Pie Face caught out on 'halal' porky pies". The Australian. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  12. ^ Knight, Ben (20 June 2021). "Under the pump". ABC News. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  13. ^ Cavander, Letea (22 December 2022). "United Petroleum fined $75k after seven-year case over Noosa soil dump". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Australia's United Petroleum finalises entry into Sri Lanka". Daily Mirror. 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  15. ^ "United Petroleum inks BOI deal to start operations with $ 27.5 m investment". Daily FT. 6 June 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  16. ^ Samarawickrama, Chaturanga Pradeep (22 August 2024). "Australia's United Petroleum in operation from August 28". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Australia's United Petroleum eyes US$ 30mn food venture in SL". Daily Mirror. 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  18. ^ United Petroleum Fuels V8 Supercars from 2014 Supercars
  19. ^ "Supercars partners with Shell Fuels". Supercars. 3 March 2017.