ORLEN expands its fuel station network in Europe dynamically
Following the acquisitions in Austria, Germany, Slovakia and Hungary, ORLEN's foreign station count has surged by almost a third over the past year. The Group is currently finalising the purchase of more than 60 service stations in Hungary. As a result of its rapid expansion in the retail segment, motorists will be able to refuel their cars at as many as 3,500 ORLEN locations across seven European countries by mid-2024.
“We have established a modern corporation that is rapidly solidifying its position in the region. By the end of this year, we will achieve our strategic target of a fuel sales network comprising 3,500 sites. Leveraging ORLEN's strong position, M&A experience, and financial capabilities, we have increased our station count by nearly 350 in the past 12 months, including over 330 service stations abroad. Our priority now is to bring all newly acquired facilities up to the high standards that are the hallmark of the ORLEN retail network. Additionally, we will consistently develop the EV charging infrastructure at further service stations,” says Daniel Obajtek, CEO and President of the Management Board of ORLEN.
ORLEN currently has 1,514 service stations outside Poland, reflecting a substantial increase of 337 since the end of 2022. Germany stands as its largest foreign market, with 607 sites operating under the ORLEN and Star brands. The most recent acquisition, completed in June 2023, involved the purchase of 17 self-service stations in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse from OMV. ORLEN is actively rebranding its stations in the German market, with almost 100 sites expected to operate under the ORLEN brand by the end of February. Moreover, plans are in place to increase the number of service stations with EV charging infrastructure in Germany to over 430 within the next two years.
Another foreign market where ORLEN has the largest retail network is the Czech Republic, with 436 service stations, of which more than 90 percent operate under the ORLEN brand. The Czech stations are also being gradually upgraded with EV chargers, currently available at 267 locations. In 2023, ORLEN also launched two public hydrogen refuelling stations: one in Prague-Barrandov and the other in Litvinov.
The most important of ORLEN's recent transactions in the retail segment was the acquisition of service stations in Austria, marking the Group’s presence in its seventh market, with an approximately 10% market share. Following the acquisition of 267 service stations from the Turmöl network, ORLEN is now the third-largest operator in Austria's fuel retail market. The transaction also included the acquisition of Austrocard, a fuel card provider serving both private and business customers, whose cards are currently accepted at over 500 locations throughout Austria, and 110 EV charging points under the Turmstrom brand.
ORLEN’s retail presence extends to Slovakia (91 service stations), Lithuania (30 service stations), and Hungary (83 service stations). In Hungary, early January saw the beginning of the process to acquire another 63 sites, forming the last pool to be transferred under the agreement with Hungary's MOL. The acquisition and rebranding process, slated for completion towards the end of April, will position ORLEN as the third largest retail network in Hungary with over 140 stations. The acquisition of the last service station in the Hungarian market will bring the total number of the Group’s service stations to over 3,500, including 1,572 sites abroad and 1,929 in Poland, marking the achievement of the target set in the Strategy for the development of the retail segment.
Presently, the ORLEN station network comprises 3442 sites in 7 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. More than half of these locations feature Stop Cafe or Star Connect (in Germany) facilities, where motorists can enjoy a wide range of meals, snacks and hot drinks, and buy groceries. In 2023, ORLEN opened Stop Cafes in more than 160 locations in Poland alone. As many as 60% of its service stations on the domestic market have already adopted this format.
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