One year after the floods, Petrol inaugurates three renovated points of sale

On Tuesday, 6 August, Petrol inaugurated the renovated Žerjav point of sale in Črna na Koroškem and marked the opening of two more renovated points of sale – Nazarje and Otiški vrh. These three points of sale suffered the worst damage in last year's floods, and were operating with the help of mobile points of sale until renovations began. On the occasion of the event, the municipality of Črna na Koroškem also received a donation of heating oil for the local sports park, the Žerjav school branch, and the kindergarten unit. 

It has been a year since Slovenia was hit by devastating floods, which did not spare Petrol points of sale. During the first days of the floods, some points of sale were closed or had limited access, including the Žerjav, Otiški vrh, and Nazarje sites, which were closed for longer periods. Later, mobile points of sale were set up at these locations so that Petrol could provide access to energy and other products. 

Due to the importance of these points of sale for the local community and for Petrol, the company decided to completely renovate the damaged infrastructure, starting in May this year. In July 2024, the renovated points of sale were gradually opened, first in Nazarje on 12 July and then, on 26 July, in Žerjav, which is part of Črna na Koroškem, one of the most flood-damaged municipalities. Lastly, the Otiški vrh point of sale opened its doors on the day of the event. 

"A year ago, the people of Koroška faced devastating floods, the likes of which are unprecedented in the history of Slovenia. These floods have had disastrous consequences. Many residents were left homeless overnight, numerous businesses suspended production, and access to many places was completely cut off. Petrol was among those affected, suffering extensive damage to its infrastructure. More than ten of our points of sale were damaged, flooded, or rendered inaccessible during the first days of the floods. Three of these locations were so badly damaged that we had to set up mobile points of sale at them. The floods also severed many of the natural gas pipelines that supply large parts of Koroška. In this area, we have tried to provide at least replacement supplies as soon as possible, because in some places, until the riverbeds were regulated, we were unable to provide the same level of supply as before the floods. But at the end of December, we did it. Today we are looking forward to the opening of the renovated Žerjav, Otiški vrh, and Nazarje points of sale, which we started to comprehensively renovate in May, and that will be open to our customers by the end of July. I hope that with these renovated points of sale we will be able to bring back to the local communities the vibrancy we had before the floods," said Sašo Berger, President of the Management Board of Petrol, at the opening of the Žerjav point of sale. 

He cut the symbolic ribbon at the opening of the Žerjav point of sale together with Romana Lesjak, Mayor of the municipality of Črna na Koroškem, who said, "As much as we were shocked last year by the catastrophic floods that also affected the point of sale for energy and other products in Žerjav, we are all the more pleased this year, because we now have an exceptionally beautiful, renovated building in Žerjav. The previous branch has been replaced by a modern one, which is a real decoration of Žerjav and our municipality. We hope that the employees feel comfortable in their new working environment, and we wish Petrol every success and thank them for their donation."

In addition to local communities and members of the emergency services, Petrol employees were an indispensable link during last year's floods. Their dedication has enabled the points of sale, work processes, and infrastructure to function. "I would like to thank everyone for your selfless help. Your quick reaction, the help of the local community, the dedication of our employees, and the tireless work of the emergency services enabled us to obtain crucial information about the condition of our points of sale, and to start the rehabilitation as quickly as possible. So today, it is a special moment when I symbolically hand over the keys of the renovated points of sale to their managers. This action is more than just a formality; it is a symbol of trust, responsibility and joint effort. With it, Petrol is reaffirming its commitment to excellence and responsibility, which it passes on to its management teams and to all of its employees. As you have already proved during the floods, I know that your enthusiasm and example will continue to ensure the success and reputation of our points of sale in the future," said Jože Smolič, Member of the Management Board. 

Petrol also wanted to thank all members of the emergency services on the day of the event. To this end, they were given free Coffee to Go at the Nazarje, Otiški vrh, and Žerjav points of sale. 

The official opening of the point of sale was also an opportunity to promote social responsibility and to thank the community in which the Žerjav point of sale operates. On this occasion, in line with the Petrol Group's values, 5000 litres of heating oil were donated to the municipality of Črna na Koroškem, which will contribute to improving the conditions at two important institutions within the local community – the sports park and the Žerjav primary school branch and kindergarten unit. 

Renovation for an improved user experience

On the occasion of the grand opening of the renovated Žerjav point of sale, Petrol also celebrated the opening of two more renovated points of sale – Nazarje and Otiški vrh. 

Although the Nazarje, Otiški vrh, and Žerjav points of sale are smaller, they offer everything that Petrol's largest points of sale have. And after the renovation, they will also offer an improved user experience. 

Last year's floods completely destroyed the buildings and infrastructure at these locations. This has necessitated the replacement of the fuel technology installations and the installation of new fuel dispensers, which will allow customers to refuel with high-quality fuels from the Q Max range, with AdBlue also available. 

The shops and back offices have also been renovated. Although the size of the buildings has remained the same, customers will be able to enjoy a wide range of products and services, as well as the excellent Coffee to Go, thanks to the installation of coffee vending machines. 

The biggest new feature, and the one that customers will be most excited about, is the possibility to get fuel outside the opening hours of the points of sale. Petrol has introduced the possibility to buy fuel using the Petromat system at the Nazarje, Otiški vrh, and Žerjav points of sale, which will contribute to improving the customer experience, as Petrol has committed to do with its vision and mission. 

The points of sale have been renovated in line with the new visual identity, which represents the Petrol point of sale concept of the future.