LPG and fuels distribution - Rubis Energie
The Vitogaz brand, present on the French LPG market since 1939, underwent major product-market redeployment in the 2000s thanks to the impetus of Rubis. This made it one of the top five European LPG distributors, with 1 million tonnes (all products) distributed via 13 profit centres on three continents.
At the same time as it increased its direct installations and acquisitions, the Group also expanded its range of products, positioning itself as a specialist in local energy distribution, including LPG, fuel networks and household fuel oil.
Above all, Rubis favoured geographical development and niche product segmentation, where massive logistical investments such as import terminals or storage and filling installations guarantee competitive product access costs, thus ensuring a sustainable position.
Bulk liquid storage– Rubis Terminal
Rubis Terminal is the French leader in liquid product storage. Since the mid-1990s, Rubis Terminal, present on the market for 130 years, has greatly accelerated its development under Rubis' leadership. The Group is mainly present on the refined petroleum product, liquid fertiliser, chemical and vegetable oil markets, with 7 terminals in France and 2 in northern Europe, for a total of close to 2 million cubic metres of storage capacity.
In the past twenty years, changing environmental and security restrictions, as well as restrictions on the quality of stored products, have put the sector under intense pressure. Thanks to its active policy of investments and growth, Rubis Terminal has emerged from this situation as the undisputed French leader-specialist, and is one of the sector's five main players in Europe.
The Group has positioned itself on geographic niches in which infrastructure constitutes a critical factor in development and long-term viability.
RUBIS has also identified and invested in segments that now offer the same kind of potential as LPG fuel (where it is now one of the leading companies in France) and bottled gas sold in hypermarkets, through its partnership (Frangaz) with Intermarché in the Energaz brand and Casino, under the brand of the same name.
An essential link in the biofuels chain is the
ethanolisation of automotive fuels and the addition of vegetable oil to diesel
in RUBIS’ inland and marine bulk storage facilities. RUBIS enjoys especially sustained activity in this market.
As the Group’s recent acquisitions demonstrate, the downstream divestiture policies of integrated petroleum groups are providing RUBIS with an especially favourable environment for development.
The RUBIS Group now enjoys an ideal balance between its two businesses, storage of liquid products and distribution of LPG and petroleum products.
Its operating earnings have risen steadily for more than five years.
The Group generates surplus cash flow (after maintenance investments) on the order of €50 million per year. A solid financial structure, with shareholders’ equity of €430 million, permits investment of up to €300 million.
In three years, the stock market value per share has increased 225% to reach €600 million (price: €65).
This quantum leap in both size and performance provides RUBIS with the resources to accelerate its development.
In the LPG and Petroleum Product Distribution:
Distribution activities throught Rubis Energie are now spread over three continents: Europe (LPG), Africa (LPG), Caribbean / Bermuda (distribution networks and LPG). Rubis annonced:
- in late March 2007, at the expiration of an agreement with SHELL, that it would assume LPG distribution activities in Germany, Bulgaria, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland
- begin June 2008, the acquisition the Shell fuels distribution activitie’s based in the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey)
- middle of June 2008, acquisition of Totalgaz LPG’s distribution in Spain
- october 2009 : Rubis enters petrol distribution in Corsica (France)
In the business liquid product storage:
- took a step into the international arena in 2006 with construction of a petroleum and chemical terminal in Rotterdam (Netherlands), starting up of the works in may 2008
- in partnership with MITSUI and ITC, Rubis built in Antwerp (Belgium) a new terminal while the start up of operations is planned for 2009.
Société en Commandite par Actions au capital de 58 798 345 euros
Head quarters: 105 avenue Raymond Poincaré - 75116 Paris - France
