Readers with long memories may recall that four months ago we reported on the difficulties that PKN Orlen was having with its flagged petrol stations. It would seem that a compromise solution has been found which would mean that the owners of these stations will not be seeking another operator.
A situation of unease had been brewing throughout last year but by January it hit a low point and a group of petrol station owners started negotiations with a number of western operators. For western operators seeking to expand their position in this market it would have been like Christmas eleven months early. For PKN Orlen it would have been a disaster. It has around 2,000 petrol stations, 630 of which are only flagged by the company.
In February there was a change of management at PKN Orlen and this opened the door for a change in policy. By 3 June it is expected that a new contract will be signed with PKN Orlen. This contract could include such things as an investment fund being set up by Orlen for modernising flagged stations, better conditions for buying fuels and certain franchising agreements.