Building a legacy

Afamily-operated business has taken the reins from Mcphee Fuel in Balmoral with a desire to establish the centre as a base for major western Victorian fuel distribution.

Endeavour Petroleum, which has been trading in Gippsland and Central Victoria for more than 28 years, has opened a site in the town.

Owner-director Jeff Griffiths said Ben Mcphee, a Balmoral identity, was retiring from the fuel industry after more than 45 years to settle back into running his bus business and to spend more time farming.

“Ben has been an amazing contributor to the area, building his business interests and working with his drivers to provide many farmers and local businesses with all their fuel needs,” he said.

“We wish Ben well in his first stage of retirement and look forward to developing his business legacy.”

Mr Griffiths said Endeavour Petroleum had started as a fuel distributorship, owning and operating fuel depots, lubricant warehouses and retail sites.

“Changes by the oil majors over this period saw a lot of industry rationalisation, which meant the demise of family businesses in petroleum,” he said.

“We set out to survive this move and over this period built a network of sites now totalling more than 22 locations.

“We needed to become independent, so we purchased old fuel sites, carried out improvement works and hired locals to staff and operate the business.

“Every site is different and has a strong local focus on what each community needs with both the fuel and shop.”

Mr Griffiths said the firm now had more than 245 staff operating sites under the Endeavour as well as BP brands.

“Our business is always expanding and in the next few months we will convert the Balmoral site, open a new diesel 24-7 card site in Moama as well as completing planning applications for new premises in Stawell, Donald and Kerang,” he said.

“In 2021 all sites will convert to the Endeavour brand, with many locations offering accounts, fuel, lubricants and an extensive shop offer.”

Mr Griffiths said Endeavour Petroleum had set a goal of becoming a major independent fuel business, running a network of sites that would also offer farm-fuel deliveries with its new fuelshifter trucks.

“Fuel depots will be established to ensure we can buy and store fuel sourced from several suppliers so we can guarantee competitive pricing,” he said.

“We will hold all our fuel suppliers to account when it comes to pricing and reliability of supply.

“We have no restrictions on site networks, fuel brands or selling offers as we look to maximise our market impact. In July we start the building of a major travel stop at Mt Gambier, which will be completed this year.”

Mr Griffiths said after buying the Balmoral property from Mr Mcphee the company had started the first stage of on-site improvement work.

“Works are extensive and include replacing tanks and dispensers plus preparing foundations for additional tanks, office facilities and a lubricants shed,” he said.

“This location will also house our new fuelshifter trucks that will deliver fuel to farmers all over western Victoria.

“Our expansion has taken years of planning and the commitment of a lot of people who want to bring back the value of family businesses becoming an important part of the local community.

“You will see evidence of this commitment as we release our products and services built on fuel supply into the area. Our aim is to offer the service, price and reliability regional communities deserve.”