The Sol Group said in a release that the acquisition of Shell’s commercial and retail operations in Barbados, St. Lucia, Netherlands Antilles, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts & Nevis, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Grenada, St. Vincent, Guyana, Suriname and Belize, means that Sol is now the Caribbean’s largest independent oil company. {{more}}

Sol will continue to use the Shell brand under licence on its network of service stations and act as the exclusive distributor of Shell’s fuels and lubricants across the listed countries, fully backed by Shell’s world class technical expertise. For its commercial operations and sales, Sol has developed its own identity and will be re-branding offices, trucks and facilities within the next few months.

Effective immediately, customers are being served by a new regional organisation run from local offices. This new approach, the group said, means that Sol can be closer to customers and much more responsive to local needs. A regional office comprising senior staff with decades of international experience within the oil industry is providing world-class support to local operations. Sol is also offering new employment and training opportunities across the region.

Sol regional director for the South Caribbean & Belize, Stewart Gill said, “Sol is also offering new employment and training opportunities across the region with more responsibility for staff and more focus on individuals. We have already initiated a major regional recruitment campaign aimed at hiring, and retaining, the best staff that the Caribbean has to offer”.

Sol regional director for the North Caribbean, Suriname & Guyana, Luis Carrillo explained that significant investment in new systems, technology and business opportunities is underlining an innovative approach to growth for business and the region.

“A completely new cutting-edge management information system, a first for the region, has already been implemented in some Sol markets. This will allow direct web-access for customers in the future and ensure that local operations are efficient, secure and responsive.” Carrillo noted.

In line with this investment in technology and people, a leading new Caribbean brand aimed at business customers will be rolled out across the group within the next few months. This has been specifically designed to reflect Sol’s Caribbean roots and International expertise.

By combining the best of Sol’s regional focus, local decision making and industry expertise with Shell’s products and global technology, the Sol Group is set to have a major impact on the regional oil sector.

Kyffin Simpson, Chairman of the Sol Group said, “Sol represents a new approach to the oil business – one that combines regional relationships with world class technical expertise and products. We are delighted to be able to focus on investment in the Caribbean, for the Caribbean and intend to grow the business through close local partnerships that can respond rapidly to customer needs”.