General News
1 June, 2023
Changing ownership
SIX Riordan Fuels sites have been purchased by Viva Energy, with Lismore already beginning the transition to the new owners.
SIX Riordan Fuels sites have been purchased by Viva Energy, with Lismore already beginning the transition to the new owners.
Other sites sold as part of the deal include Lorne, Colac, Mortlake, Lara and Inverleigh.
The service stations will remain Shell branded.
The final site at Camperdown will transition to another operator at the end of June 2023.
Riordan Fuels managing director Brent Squires said the move was designed to streamline organisational focus and direction.
“We have decided to concentrate on our tank network and heavy haulage and heavy freight customers, which means a move away from the service station network,” he said.
“We are returning to our roots in some respects; we started with the ambition to provide high quality fuels and competitive pricing to the farms, rural communities and freight haulage networks that, at
that stage, sometimes didn’t have many other options.
“The decision to divest all the service stations means we can fully focus all our efforts on the specific needs of farming and food production across rural and regional Australia.”
Mr Squires said the move was also a reflection of closer operational ties with sister company Riordan Grain Services.
“It more closely aligns the fuels footprint and services with the grains side of the business, delivering seamless end-to-end solutions from activities in the paddock through to delivery to key international markets,” he said.
“We will continue to partner with farmers and transporters across everything from their fuel and transport needs, through to grain trading and direct export access.
“We want to fully concentrate on the parts that we do best, the areas where we believe we can make the most impact.
“It’s how we can best serve Australian farming and food production as well as heavy haulage needs, as the lifeline of rural and regional communities.”
Viva Energy media and stakeholder manager Michael Cave said the deal with Riordan Fuels was completed on May 23.
“Viva Energy is pleased to continue supporting our local customers in south western Victoria with quality Shell products and great customer service,” he said.