The FINANCIAL — According to Samson Pkhakadze, Chairman of the Wissol Board of Directors, the company has seen roughly 30% growth this year in comparison to last year.
The FINANCIAL — According to Samson Pkhakadze, Chairman of the Wissol Board of Directors, the company has seen roughly 30% growth this year in comparison to last year. Pkhakadze remains positive about the future and in his interview with The FINANCIAL said that this year the company will add 2-3 new stations, whereas next year Wissol has quite solid plans to develop areas that will increase company sales.
Last week Wissol signed an agreement with Total, one of the world’s major oil and gas groups based in France. Wissol has now become an exclusive importer of automobile oils and lubricants of the company Total.
“Signing this agreement is very important for Wissol. We invited one of the most famous companies in the world which has been studying Wissol’s business culture, infrastructure and quality. I think that it’s another step forward for us as Wissol occupies leading positions on the Georgian oil market and will become leader in auto oil and lubricants market as well,” said Vasil Khorava, General Director of JSC Wissol Petroleum Georgia.
“Total is a very famous brand and has millions of consumers. We want our customers to share this brand experience as well and receive the quality of a product which is very popular and widespread in western European countries. I think that it will be quite a successful agreement as it has been planned in a very careful way by the two companies,” Khorava said.
“We know that Georgia is a developing country and the situation in Georgia is improving every year. There are plenty of opportunities in Georgia and that’s why such a group as Total decided to enter this country,” said Nick Gkoumas, Export Area Manager of Total.
According to Gkoumas, Total is represented in Azerbaijan and Armenia as well. He says that at the very beginning the main idea was to find a proper distributor to promote Total in Georgia. He adds that they strongly believe that together with Wissol the sales of Total oils and lubricants will develop and increase the brand’s image and awareness in Georgia.
“The initial plan for Total in Georgia is to first get established, to increase brand awareness in Georgia. There are so many things that we have to do, starting from giving out education on lubricants to customers, giving technical trainings, which we have already planned to do, and many other things,” Gkoumas said.
According to Tornike Guruli, Wissol Marketing Director, Total products will be available for sale in Wissol Auto stations all around Georgia.
“We are in the process of choosing the right places where these products will be as easily accessible for our customers as possible. Total products will be distinguished by their price and quality. These products will have competitive prices and the highest quality, imported directly from France exclusively for Wissol consumers,” Guruli said.
“We have already ordered a survey of the consumer market in order to make prices adequate and give Georgian drivers the ability to buy the highest quality French oils at reasonable prices. This is an exclusive agreement. Only Wissol will have the right to sell Total oils and lubricants,” Guruli added.
“A crucial value for our company is to be a leader and this is one that we take quite seriously, and share with our partners. Another aim is to educate our consumers on the best products. Both Wissol and Total share these values together with courage, stability and more,” Jean Michel Hieronimus, Managing Director of Total, told The FINANCIAL.
According to Hieronimus, in terms of lubricants Total occupies 1,5/6 of the world market, taking in to account that the number of product manufacturers is more than 1,000.
“The sooner we become leaders in Georgia the better. Taking in to account what Wissol has managed in a very short period of time I think that in 3-5 years we will become leaders on the local market,” Hieronimus said.
“Negotiations on this issue were being held for 8-9 months, during which time we had numerous consultations. When such a large company as Total needs to make a serious decision it takes time. They studied our company, and they chose us. The values of our company and their company are the same. Our business ethic, strategic views and principals are all the same,” Samson Pkhakadze said.
“My expectations are quite positive. First of all this is a sector which is quite valuable here in Georgia. We have a very large infrastructure from where Total products will be established in the country. We are quite sure of our future success as we are being supported by the largest oil company and that means a lot. Having such a strong partner means having know-how and expertise. It means support in all kinds of directions: marketing, logistics and all others needed in business,” Pkhakadze said.
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