The FINANCIAL — With the largest chain of petrol and CNG stations and with aviation fuel deliveries, Wissol Group is one of the leading players in the country’s energy sector and other industries too.
In 2009 the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources granted Wissol status of a ‘Green Company’.
“Being an oil company makes us care about the environment all the more, as our responsibility is higher than that of other types of companies. Caring for the environment means knowing the importance of having an ecologically clean environment in the country. Staying environmentally-friendly is vitally important for all of us, our children’s futures as well as for the successful development of the country,” Pkhakadze said.
A polluted environment causes different problems in terms of people’s health. It is our duty to protect health in the country. In sight of this we have plenty of events and activities that we hold on a regular basis. We have planted a large amount of trees in Tbilisi, Batumi and other regions. It has become a kind of tradition for us already and one which we organise with great enjoyment. We will continue doing this in the future as well. Our employees are actively involved in planting the trees, which is very important,” Pkhakadze said.
Wissol is an exclusive importer of the latest European standard, Euro 5 Italian fuel from API. With ultra low sulphur content, API fuel practically eliminates emissions of sulphur compounds into the air. API fuel is therefore an ecologically clean product.
“Euro 5 is of European quality and is therefore a standard which we implement in Georgia. According to the law of the country, we are not prohibited from importing Euro 3 fuel, but we want our customers to receive ecologically clean and high quality products. In addition our clients appreciate European standard fuel,” Pkhakadze said.
“Wissol Group has always been exceptional in terms of the high sense of social responsibility it demonstrates. We have always been a dynamically active company in this direction and will remain so in the future. We have special rules at our company, which is, in my view, a kind of self-discipline. We import ecologically clean products. We have many projects which support the fight against environmental pollution,” Pkhakadze said.
“In terms of the very infrastructure of our gas stations, they are technologically constructed to harm the environment and the ecosystem as little as possible. We install special filtration systems which cause a reduction in emissions. These filters are replaced periodically. They give us the opportunity to keep our gas stations ecologically clean, and despite the fact that they are places that sell oil products, they are actually protecting the environment,” Pkhakadze said.
From 2007 Wissol has been offering the environmentally-friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at its integrated service stations Georgia-wide.
“Natural gas is the cheapest fuel and is ecologically clean. Natural gas is lighter than oil products and its emissions do not enter the soil or ecosystem. It dissipates in the air and is eco-friendly. Demand for it at gas stations has increased significantly in recent times and we are planning to develop our CNG station network further still. We are therefore protecting nature and at the same time supporting those families who do not have the means to purchase oil,” Pkhakadze said.
“The storage tanks at Wissol service stations are equipped with filters against oil evaporation and spills. Oil products are transported by a special fleet equipped with separate pipes for each six products available at Wissol and filters against oil evaporation. Also, the pump attendants at Wissol service stations are dressed in non-flammable clothing.”
“We have environmentally-friendly lighting systems at our stations. We are now starting a special project in the Smart supermarket chains as well as in Wissol where we will use LED lighting. We are already starting to import LED-type technologies from abroad to two of our stores.”
At all Smart supermarkets customers can find a bio corner and enjoy healthy products by the German brand Bio Greno.
“We have a very modern fitness centre in Kutaisi where we have a special solar energy system installed. We also try to save water and have a recirculation system. We are in contact with several large companies who work on energy saving systems and in regard to reducing our use of electricity we receive a sizeable grant from EBRD. We received EUR 90,000 from EBRD for this. As a result we are implementing several projects in the direction of energy efficiency.”
According to Pkhakadze the company tries to keep as many documents as possible in electronic form which reduces paper consumption as well.
Wissol traditionally celebrates 5 June, World Environment Day, encouraging the healthy lifestyle concept. Sports events are organized in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representation in Georgia and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources.
“It is vitally important for all companies to care for the environment. We are a big company which carries out lots of projects and searches for investments. We are financed by such huge companies as EBRD and many leading financial institutions or commercial banks. We are partners of such famous companies as Total, Shevron, API and Wendy’s. When you are working with such companies you are responsible for abiding by the law and standards stated by them. Their contracts directly require us to care about the environment and being environmentally-friendly, so we have to do it,” Pkhakadze said.
“Our company ethos is intertwined with social responsibilities. It’s the practice and culture of the company. All of our employees know that Wissol is a company which cares about its employees. CSR is not just charity. It is how you treat your staff, what kind of working conditions they have, how safe they are. We pay a great deal of attention to our relations with society. This is our culture. Everyone at our company knows that we should be a successful company in many directions and they share that philosophy with us,” Pkhakadze said.
`With the successful business activities of Wissol Group, we want to contribute to the economic development of Georgia and social wellbeing of its population. Strong business in turn means employed people, technological and infrastructural development, highly professional human capital and sustainable development of the local economy. Besides, Wissol feels a responsibility for environmental protection and accordingly undertakes social investments, does charity and implements community projects for the well-being of society at large.”
Since 2007 Wissol Group has been represented in the market by its daughter brands: Wissol Petroleum Georgia, Wissol Gas, Air Wissol, Wissol Gas Distribution Company, Car and tyre service chain Vianor Georgia, Construction Company Delta Holding, Real Estate Company Vellagio, Supermarket Chain Smart, Fast food restaurant chain Wendy’s Georgia, Football Club Torpedo Kutaisi, Fitness Centre Laguna Kutaisi, and Hotel Lomsia.
Wissol is the only Georgian brand to be listed in the Top Ten European brands at the European Business Awards in Paris; Wissol was awarded an ISO Quality Management Certificate in 2006. Nowadays the company holds an ISO 9001:2008 certificate.
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