Petromin Express Company ranks number 12 in the world outside the United States and number one in the Kingdom in quality auto services, Jim Hrrington, Petromin Express General Manager told the Saudi Gazette. The American official told the Saudi Gazette after addressing on Wednesday the local and international business media during the 10th anniversary celebration of Petromin Express Company at the Intercontinental Hotel. “Petromin Express has 210,000 customers per year and we share 5 percent of the Saudi market out of 8000 puncture shops in the Kingdom,” he said. Samir Nawar, CEO of Petromin Extra, said that although the company provides all brands of oil for vehicles, the key competition is in the standard of services offered. “The company is providing all kinds and brands of vehicle oil in to satisfy customers but the main competition is in providing high standard of auto maintenance services,” said Nawar. He said that between 80 percent to 90 percent of customers want Petromin oil. On the issue of Saudization, Nawar said that his company is in the premium level of Nitaqat, meaning that it has more than the required number of workers. “In last three weeks, we have hired more than 100 Saudi technicians. They are diploma holders in car maintenance and graduated from different technical and vocational colleges in Riyadh, Jeddah, Jizan and Dammam ,” Nawwar added. He said the process of selecting qualified technicians was “very difficult” because the company is looking for highly qualified employees. The company, he said, had discussed in one of its meetings the idea of franchising but has decided to start it later due high volume or work at its repair centers. “Franchising needs the same standard of services, selecting the right person, location and time. Thus, we decided to start it once we reached over 300 branches in the Kingdom,” he said. Petromin Extra expects to have 170 branches across the Kingdom by the end of 2011. Currently they are preparing to open a branch Yanbu. “By 2012 will have 235 branches while our future plan is to have 300 branches in 2013,” said Sameh Sulaiman, director of development department. The Petromin Express grew to 150 branches by the end of 2010 at the cost of $10 million. Company officials said they are studying on whether to “update” its prices. “We have made a survey of our prices. The result show that our prices are acceptable than the prices offered by other repair centers,” said Nawar. __
