Waitomo’s new fuel stop in Palmerston North featuring environmentally friendly pumps officially opens tomorrow for motorists and truck drivers.
Waitomo managing director Jimmy Ormsby says the new fuel stop will strengthen the company’s network across the Manawatu and lower North Island.
“Expanding to Palmerston North was a logical step for us,” says Ormsby.
The new fuel stop, on the corner of Tremaine Ave and Roy St, will be the first in the region to feature vapour recovery technology at both the tanker delivery point and the pump.
Vapour recovery helps reduce emissions and stops fuel vapour from escaping into the atmosphere or being inhaled.
“It simply captures the vapour that would usually be displaced out of the fuel tank and escape into the air. It is a positive thing for the environment and our customers’ health,” says Ormsby.
“This technology is very new and not many places in New Zealand have it yet. But Waitomo is committed to installing it at every new fuel stop we open from now on,” he says.
It’s great Palmerston North will benefit from this technology which is produced by Gallagher just up the road in Marton,” says Ormsby.
Waitomo’s new fuel stop will feature five new pumps dispensing petrol and diesel.
A dedicated trucking lane will have access to high flow pumps and Go Clear (Diesel Emission Fluid), while three outdoor payment terminals allow motorists to prepay using their credit card, EFTPOS or Waitomo’s fuel card for vehicle fleets.
Waitomo Fuel Stop Manager Paul Easton says fuel stop Ambassadors will be on site for the first three weeks to help customers get used to the facilities.
“The benefit of an unmanned site is that it’s low on overheads so we can maintain competitive fuel prices to our customers,” says Easton.
“By adding Palmerston North to our network, we have increased the amount of competition between fuel companies in the region which has got to be good for all fuel users,” he says.
Easton says Waitomo is looking to expand further into the lower North Island shortly.
Waitomo is celebrating 70 years in business this year after being founded by Ormsby’s grandfather, Desmond.
The company now has 70 fuel stops and service stations across Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu-Whanganui.
Local Iwi will bless the new fuel stop in Palmerston North tomorrow morning before it officially opens for business.
