|
A family-run independent petrol retail group says it is on course to increase annual sales by a third to £100m this year.
HKS Retail, of Belgrave Gate, Leicester, said most of the rise in
turnover had come from its acquisition of five service stations in the
past 12 months. The company said it was looking at taking over two
other service stations in the near future, but did not know when the
deals would be completed.
Hasmukh Thakrar, who with brothers Kamlesh and Sailesh founded the
business 25 years ago, said: "We will reach a £100m turnover this year.
It will be a rise from £76m last year. "Around £20m of that rise
has come from the five new sites and the rest is growth within the
other parts of the business."
HKS has 23 sites across the Midlands and the South and employs 200
people. The firm also runs a car and van rental business from Leicester
and Coalville, as well as an MoT operation in Markfield and
Ibstock. Head of business Shane Thakrar, Sailesh's son, said: "We
are looking to add to our rental fleet and adding more branches."
HKS is also looking to further develop the shops on its sites.
The firm, which currently runs Costcutter, Mace and Subway franchises
at its stations, is considering launching its own-branded retail
operation for some of its sites. "We have redeveloped eight
sites," said Shane. "But we want to do all of them."
HKS was founded in 1984 when the three brothers, who all worked at the
Clocktower service station in Ashby Road, Coalville, took on an
operating lease from Mobil for the site. The trio then began
operating a number of sites for various oil companies. In 2000, they
bought the Clocktower site from BP and then began a steady series of
acquisitions. Between 2004 and 2006 the firm acquired 10 service
stations, including the one at East Midlands Airport. The
company, which has contracts with BP, Jet, Shell and Texaco, also owns
stations in Whitwick, Loughborough and Groby Road, Leicester.
PetrolWorld 131009
|
