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Doppler group at the zenith
The DOPPLER GROUP - owner of the Turmöl filling stations - sold over a billion liters of fuel for the first time in 2018. But: the summit seems to have been reached.
Doppler group at the zenith
The Doppler Group’s annual press conferences stand out. Not because the owner-managed family business based in Wels is growing solidly from year to year, but because the presentation of the figures is unusually amicable. In particular, Bernd Zierhut, Managing Director of the Doppler Group, is always good for a subjective, humorous market assessment. He admits: “The Austrian mineral oil market probably reached its all-time high in 2018.” This can be seen in two factors: on the one hand, sales of diesel and gasoline would hardly increase, and on the other hand, the trend towards e-mobility is too obvious. Zierhut makes no secret of the fact that, for him, current e-mobility is definitely not suitable for the masses. “There are far too few gas stations to even begin to serve the predicted boom in electric cars.” That's why Turmöl also switched from a kilowatt to a minute tariff at its e-charging stations. “Otherwise someone will charge their car all day and block the gas station for a few euros in sales,” says Zierhut.
NEW BUSINESS AREAS FOR GROWTH
The Doppler Group has a solid position on the market: on the overall mineral oil market it has a share of between nine (diesel) and 10.3 percent (carburettors). At the end of 2018, the petrol station business was at 8.1 (diesel) and 8.3 percent (carburetor). Both diesel and carburetor fuel sales increased between six and 6.6 percent. "The group once again achieved a good result in 2018. The EGT amounted to 10.1 million euros. The operating cash flow increased to 21.2 million euros," emphasizes the management. In order to counteract the mineral oil sales peak in a timely manner, the Doppler Group is positioning itself more broadly. New business areas such as the Austrocard, an Austrian fuel card for private individuals and entrepreneurs, or the entry into the aviation fuel business (Doppler Aviation) and the founding of the natural gas brand “Turmgas” are intended to enable further growth.
“The Austrian mineral oil market probably reached its all-time high in 2018.”BERND ZIERHUT, CEO of DOPPLER GROUP
SHOPS WITH POTENTIAL
The Doppler Group does not want to let its core competency – the gas station business – slip away. Therefore, the shop concepts are being further expanded with the partners Spar and Nah & Frisch. For example, shops in cooperation with the ÖBB with the working title “Bahnhofsgreißler” are being discussed. In addition, a focus is placed on the laundry business. "Regardless of whether our customers drive with diesel, natural gas or electric, their cars want to be cleaned. We still see potential here," says Franz Joseph Doppler. For this purpose, the new drive-in concept was implemented at five locations. The self-service car wash with payment directly at the terminal has already had a successful start. On average, 908 washes were carried out per month at the five locations, while at the remaining stations (excluding the car wash) only 535 washes were carried out. The Doppler Group is therefore already planning new locations for the drive-in concept.
DATA & FACTS
The Doppler group
As an owner-managed company, it is the largest independent and private gas station operator in Austria. Founded in Wels in 1932, the group now operates more than 252 filling stations across Austria. With 206 tower oil stations, it is the largest tank discount chain on the domestic market.