Under the scheme, hosted by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, a fund of €130,000 will be distributed to twenty-six sports clubs on a county-by- county basis, with successful applicants receiving €5,000 in each case.

Open to sports clubs across the 26-counties, irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender (including clubs that may have been unsuccessful in their application previously), the initiative is one that recognises and supports the valuable contribution that sports clubs make to communities and throughout Irish society as a whole.

Clubs that have received funding to date span the spectrum of Irish sporting activity. Amongst them were archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, bowls, boxing, camogie, climbing, cricket, diving, Gaelic football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, hurling, kayaking, rowing, rugby, soccer and tennis.

‘Avenue to funding’

Launching the 2024 initiative, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited described sports clubs as “the heart and soul of so many communities, cities, towns and villages throughout the country and a key component in the fabric of Irish society.”

Mr. Twohig went on to say how pleased his company is to provide “a significant route to funding for sports clubs, many of which have faced difficult challenges in recent times.”

Adjudication

Leading the adjudication process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan. Commenting, O’Callaghan said: “the most appealing aspect of the Texaco Support for Sport initiative is the benefit it brings to our sports clubs throughout Ireland by providing rare access to funds which are not linked to the popularity, membership size or success of any club.

“I look forward to reviewing the 2024 applications and to rewarding those clubs that require access to vital funds so they can develop facilities, increase memberships, and broaden their appeal within their communities, at grassroot level,” he added.

Application

Following similar lines to that which proved successful over the past three years, the application process is now open online at www.texacosupportforsport.com

Clubs wishing to apply can first register their interest to be followed, before closing date, by a completed application that should include full details of their sporting activity, the importance that the club holds in their local community, the purpose for which the funding is sought and the use to which it will be put.

A sole qualifying requirement is that clubs making application must be properly constituted and supply confirmation of a valid Games & Sports Exemption number (GS number) which has been issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

Closing date for applications is 31st January 2024 with adjudication taking place thereafter.

The post Fourth Texaco ‘Support for Sport’ Club Funding Initiative Launched appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Two more Ascona sites are also to be re-branded to Valero during October – Ascona Crossways in Neyland and Ascona Tenby Road near Carmarthen.

Valero has a long association with the Pembroke area. The company owns and operates the Pembroke refinery west of Pembroke, as well as a fuel terminal at Waterston near Milford Haven, making the Ascona service stations and Pembroke a natural fit for the introduction of the Valero brand into the UK.

The opening marks the first foray into the UK retail sector by US-based energy company Valero Energy under the Valero brand. The company has a long and successful history of retail fuel in the US and Mexico, with over 6,000 outlets representing the Valero brand. It is the world’s largest independent fuel refiner, and the world’s second largest producer of corn ethanol and, through its joint venture, of renewable diesel.

Since buying Pembroke refinery and the UK marketing and logistics assets in 2011, Valero has made considerable investments in its logistics infrastructure and network, allowing the company to develop into one of the most reliable distribution networks in the UK for retailers.

“The natural progression for the company was to bring the Valero brand to UK forecourts,” Valero’s vice president of UK commercial operations, Chuck Pettibon, said. “We’re extremely excited to be launching the Valero brand in the UK.  It is a very attractive image that offers large and small fuel retailers the option for a new look to their forecourts. Retailers have asked when the brand would be introduced into the UK, and now it is.”

Consumers will still get the same high-quality fuel as with the Texaco brand, the brand under which Valero already markets their fuel, and retailers will continue to receive the same high level of customer service, a reliable supply network and competitive pricing.

With ownership of the Valero brand, the company has greater flexibility to determine what can be offered and how it can be aligned with Valero’s corporate ethos.

The Valero brand has a strong community ethic, and this community spirit will be offered to Valero-branded retailers, supporting their community and charity efforts and together, giving back to the community through charity events or volunteering. Valero is keen to partner with Ascona on their community outreach initiatives.

The post First Valero branded fuel retail site to open in UK appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

The post Three generations of Kilmartins recognised at the landmark N6 Service Station appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Set up in 2012, PIS specialise in forecourt installation. Its clients include Maxol, Applegreen, Texaco, Topaz and Solo.

Its new owner, Lancashire-based LCM fuel, has been involved in the fuel, energy and infrastructure sector for 35 years.

The company said PIS Ireland will benefit from new business opportunities, an expanded fleet, and wider petrochemical services for the British market.

General manager of the Belfast firm, Colin Doyle, said the two businesses complement each other well.

“Since we established PIS Ireland in 2012, the company has gained a prominent reputation within our sector, and we have formed strong relationships with a multitude of clients across Ireland and the UK,” he said.

“As such, we are now in an excellent position to achieve considerable further expansion alongside the LCM team.”

LCM is headed by Belfast-born chief executive Richard Wallace.

“It has been a long-term goal of LCM Environmental to acquire an Irish base and expand overseas,” he said.

“We are happy to announce that this is now a reality, and we look forward to integrating PIS (Ireland) within the company.

“PIS Ireland has accomplished significant growth over the past 10 years and has taken over a big share of the retail and commercial market throughout the island of Ireland and completed fuel management and forecourt installations in England.

“They have shown remarkable skill sets and determination in developing their business and upskilling their workforce. Becoming a part of the LCM group was the logical next step in their expansion plans – and one that has been completed successfully in a seven-figure deal.”

He added: “After several acquisitions, the start of the new LCM Group marks a new beginning for us and as a business, we are more determined than ever to keep growing within the industry and reach new heights in the coming months.”

The acquisition was facilitated by SCC Accountants (Sean Cavanagh and Kathy Daly) and O’Reilly and Stewart Solicitors (Seamus McGranaghan and Conor Cleverley).

The post NI forecourt installation firm bought for seven figure sum appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Under the scheme, hosted by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, a fund of €130,000 will be distributed to twenty-six sports clubs on a county-by-county basis, with successful applicants receiving €5,000 in each case.

Open to sports clubs across the 26-counties, irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender (including clubs that may have made an unsuccessful application previously), the initiative is one that recognises and supports the valuable contribution that sports clubs make to communities and throughout Irish society as a whole.

With two years completed, clubs that have received funding span the spectrum of Irish sporting activity. Amongst them were athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, camogie, climbing, cricket, diving, Gaelic football, golf, handball, hockey, hurling, rowing, rugby, soccer and tennis.

‘Avenue to funding’

Launching the 2023 programme, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited described the Texaco Support for Sport initiative as one that “opens up an avenue to funding for those clubs and communities that need it most.”

Seeing sports clubs as ‘the heart and soul of community life’ in so many Irish cities, towns and villages, Mr. Twohig went on to say how pleased his company is to provide “a new and significant route to revenue for sports clubs, many of which have faced difficult challenges of one kind or another in recent times.”

Adjudication

Leading the adjudication process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan, who said that the most heartening aspect of the Texaco Support for Sport initiative is ‘the extent to which it brings much needed benefit to clubs when least expected.’

“Through the scheme, even the smallest and most remote clubs and minority interest groupings have had access to the vital funds they needed to develop facilities, increase memberships, and broaden their appeal within their communities, at grassroot level,” he said.

Application

Following similar lines to that which proved successful over the past two years, the application process is now open online at www.texacosupportforsport.com where full details of the initiative and its operation can be viewed.

Clubs wishing to apply can first register their interest to be followed, before closing date, by a completed application that should include full details of their sporting activity, the importance that the club holds in their local community, the purpose for which the funding is sought and the use to which it will be put.

A sole qualifying requirement is that clubs making application must be properly constituted and supply confirmation of a valid Games & Sports Exemption number (GS number) which has been issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

Closing date for applications is 31st January 2023 with adjudication taking place thereafter.

Caption: Former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan launches the 2023 Texaco Support for Sport funding initiative. 

The post Third Texaco ‘Support for Sport’ club funding initiative launched appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.