THE uniqueness of the petroleum industry in Fiji has not always been pleasant, managing director of Supreme Fuel Rajesh Patel said.
"However, Total Fiji is changing the perception by introducing new and innovative products and services like the recently introduced Total Excellium range which has taken the market by storm," he said.
His comments were made at the launch of what he described as the country's finest service station at Flagstaff in Suva last week.
"They have introduced international standards of service stations through Bonjour concept and now have enhanced and created a complete coffee shop with a service station—Total Flagstaff," Mr Patel said.
The Total Flagstaff service station is another sign of commitment by Total Fiji to its Fiji customers, he said.
Mr Patel said Total gave new and true meaning to the word convenience through its latest venture in Fiji. "The launch of Total Flagstaff is the definition of convenience. You can buy fuel, do your shopping in the shop and get your coffee, lunch and dinner.
"I don't think you will find these services in one place in any other service station but only at Total service stations and especially at Total Flagstaff," he said.
Supreme Fuel and Total Fiji manage the Total Flagstaff service station. Mr Patel said Total Flagstaff marked a welcomed change in the market.
Supreme Fuel established its operations in Fiji 62 years ago and has been linked with different business sectors in the country since then. The family business started with a handful of workers. Today, the company employs more than 100 workers with 11 retail fuel outlets in Viti Levu. Of these, five are under Total brand while the remaining six are managed by Supreme Fuel.
"Our company started with a humble beginning by my dad DR Patel, wholesaling and retailing fuel in Rakiraki. Over the years, our company changed named to MR Patel under my late brother Mahendra Patel's leadership," he said. In 2003, following a restructure of the organisation, the company was named Supreme Fuel Limited.
"We have been selling Shell products for the past 57 years. For the past five years, we have joined hands with Total," Mr Patel said.
He said the success to the family business was in its customer—oriented focus. "My family has always been involved in charity world. Supreme Fuel and our sister company Autocare Limited have been actively involved in nearly all the festivals in the country.
"Our involvement is initiated with our belief to give back to the community, from whom we made business over the years. We have been actively raising funds for Heart Foundation, Kidney Foundation, Cancer Society and the Fiji Society for the Blind as well as numerous charitable organisations around the country," Mr Patel said.