The primary area of activities of the Petrol Group is the trade with oil and oil derivatives, and the company’s competitive advantage lies in its modern and widespread network. With its comprehensive offer of energy-ecological products and services, the Petrol Group ensures a reliable, economical and environmentally-friendly supply to consumers in Serbia and on the South Eastern European markets. Petrol is a top provider of all energy and ecological products and services. It is recognized by customers in Serbia and Eastern Europe as one of the most state-of-the-art and most dynamic energy companies, worthy of their trust and directed towards permanently sustainable development.

The Petrol Group feels a special responsibility towards its customers, suppliers, business partners, owners and society as a whole.

When making its business decisions, Petrol d.o.o. Beograd takes into account environmental and social consequences of these decisions.

Through its business, the company takes special care of people and the environment, and makes sure to improve the quality of life in the community in which it operates.

There are many more opportunities for development in the field of energetics and that is the reason why Petrol is taking big steps forward in Serbia – we have opened a terminal in Smederevo, while the Beogas and Rodgas companies are expanding their networks in Belgrade, Šimanovci, Pećinci and BačkaTopola.

The company signed a contract with the Serbian Government for performing activities of general interest from which licenses arise for conducting energy activities: the distribution of natural gas, the management of a distribution system for natural gas, and retail trade of natural gas to tariff customers. The company currently has about 15,000 consumers of natural gas, with annual natural gas sales of about 26 million m³.

Petrol d.o.o. Beograd is actively involved in a range of community service projects, and financially supports charitable and social institutions, and environmental organizations. It also supports projects of high social significance through various activities and sponsorships. The business strategy of the Petrol Group is based on promoting business excellence, that is, on following and complying with contemporary market demands regarding services, IT, and environmental protection.

Mr.Željko Bjelan, CEO of Petrol d.o.o. Beograd speaks for Profit magazine.

1. Mr. Bjelan, where were you born? Where did you grow up and go to school?

I was born in Ljubljana. I grew up in a city called Kočevje, located 60 km from Ljubljana. That is where I completed elementary school and the high school of economics. I continued my education in Ljubljana, at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana, where I completed my graduate studies in business sciences.

2. How did your career develop before you became the CEO of Petrol? How long have you held that position?

I started working at Petrol d.d. Ljubljana as a student and I was initially in charge of monitoring the sales of natural gas. After a year of working in the field of natural gas, I went to the LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) sector, where I was employed on a full-time basis on October 1, 2009. In that sector, I was in charge of LPG logistics, from storage to final consumers. After two years of working in the mentioned sector, I was moved again, to the position of analyst of the natural gas sector. My main tasks were the calculation and tracking of natural gas prices, continuous communication with consumers, and communication with the Slovenian Energy Agency. A new opportunity arose on April 1, 2013, and that is when I became the CEO of Beogas d.o.o. Beograd, which is 100% owned by Petrol d.d. Ljubljana. Beogas d.o.o. is a company dealing with the construction and maintenance of pipelines, and the distribution of natural gas in the areas of Čukarica, Palilula and Voždovac. After only two years in Beogas, I became the CEO of Petrol d.o.o. Beograd, which trades with oil, oil derivatives and other goods in Serbia, and is also 100% owned by Petrol d.d. Ljubljana.

3. The Slovenian energy company Petrol Group is, by many parameters, at the very top of the Slovenian economy. Tell us more about the future plans and strategy of the group for the Balkan region?

The members of Petrol Group are already preparing for future challenges. In 2016, we prepared the Strategic Business Plan of the Petrol Group for the period 2016-2020. We have set the main operating guidelines for achieving long-term growth and development. In-line with the strategy, we still plan to achieve the largest part of the results by 2020 through the sales of energy products and merchandising. The customer constitutes the center of our business operations and we want to get closer to him by means of an omnichannel sales approach. We want to become a recognizable regional supplier for comprehensive energy and environmental solutions and a partner in the development of a circular economy aiming at the transition to a low-carbon society. We will achieve this through the active development of decentralized production of energy from natural resources, the development of smart cities, as well as the preparation of offers of developmental and competitive solutions tailored to customers. The biggest increase is planned for digitization projects that are focused on customers. The rationalization of business processes and further development of an efficient risk management system will enable us to conduct our business within the defined framework.

4. This year Petrol is celebrating 15 years of operating in Serbia. What are the development priorities of Petrol Serbia in the upcoming period?

During the 15 years of business operations in Serbia, we have taken great steps forward. Currently, we own 12 gas stations where we offer our customers a wide range of quality products and services. Each of our gas stations offers the above-average premium-quality fuels from the Q Max family. We wish to expand Petrol's network of gas stations throughout Serbia in the forthcoming period with the aim of offering the highest quality fuel in the region to as many drivers as possible.

Since 2014, Petrol Serbia’s portfolio has been comprisedof, and offeredto its wholesale customers, pneumatics, motor oils and industrial lubricants and since June 2017, the euro diesel propellant. Our goal is to offer wholesale customers unified packages under the most favorable conditions and thus take one of the leading positions in the stated segments.

Petrol operates in the field of natural gas in Serbia.The group owns the companies Beogas a.d. and Rodgas a.d., through which we have expanded our network in Belgrade, Šimanovci, Pećinci and Bačka Topola. We currently have more than 15,000 natural gas users, 350 km of gas network, and we annually distribute more than 26 million cubic meters of natural gas. We are planning gasification in several other municipalities in Belgrade and other major cities of Serbia, if circumstances permit.

In addition to the key activities such as oil trade, sales and distribution of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, Petrol deals with electricity trade and supply, and since July 2017, the offer of Petrol d.o.o. Belgrade has included energy solutions as well.

5. What type of contract has Beogas a.d. with the Serbian government? How many registered consumers do you currently have on the market and what are the further plans for the development of Beogas a.d?

Beogas a.d. has a signed contract with the Serbian government on entrusting the activities of natural gas distribution in the municipalities Čukarica, Palilula, Voždovac and Pećinci, which is also valid for the associated company Rodgas a.d., performing the same activities in the area of Bačka Topola with over 3,000 consumers. Currently, Beogasa.d.has12,500 connected consumers within its networks with a continuous integration of new consumers. Each year, we prepare new campaigns for potential new consumers, in which we offer them very favorable conditions for complete turnkey integration. In the near future, we are planning on a unification of activities in the field of natural gas distribution, that is, an increase in the potential of sales, prices, quantities and other elements that should raise the gas business to a higher level. Also, the possibility of expanding the territorial area covered by the society in this industry is being considered.

6. How and in what way does Petrol identify with the field of energy?Does Petrol strive to become a recognized regional provider of comprehensive energy and environmental solutions? How will you achieve this?

Based on the income criterion, we are a leading regional energy and related service provider. We are recognized as one of the most important providers of smart home, mobility and business solutions. With the help of innovations and digital solutions, we have developed successful new business models and partnerships. We provide an extremely comprehensive user experience and increase the number of sold products per consumer in the omnichannel sales system.

7. What are your current and future activities concerning electric energy supply?

Petrol d.o.o. Beograd is a licensed supplier of electric energy in Serbia. From January 1, 2015, we offer our clients full energy supply at competitive market prices. We attempt to apply the gained know-how of our parent company Petrol d.d. Ljubljana in Serbia and to offer our clients electric energy in the scope of an integrated energy services package. Petrol d.o.o. Beograd is among the largest electricity retailers in Serbia and operates within the Petrol Group, which is present on the markets of 18 European countries and is one of the largest electricity retailers in this part of Europe.

Our business focuses on the customer and we are ready to face new challenges with more thoughtful planning, thought-out business decisions and fast responses to changes in a demanding business environment.

8. The Petrol Group stands out due to its socially responsible business conduct. Donating to the Institute for Health Protection of Mother and Child and to the Safe House for victims of domestic violence in Belgrade, the company demonstrates how a responsible company should be conducting business. What other activities are you planning on in the near future?

Through its activities, Petrol assumes social responsibility on a daily basis towards the environment in which it operates. For many years now, Petrol has contributed to society and the environment of the region with its business. With each opening of a new gas station, we donate a certain amount of money or fuel to one or more institutions within the wider or closer environment of the newly opened gas station. The aforementioned institutions received donations upon the opening of our gas stations in Block 41. We are aware of the importance of supporting sports, cultural and humanitarian projects, but as such resources are limited in every company, we do our best to invest them where we believe theyare needed the most. Therefore, besides our activities concerning openings (of new gas stations), we realize a large number of projects every year, as it is very important to us to be useful for the environment in which we operate. This has been Petrol’s business policy in Serbia since its entry in the Serbian market and we are certain that we will not change it in the near future.

9. Petrol offers all major fuels exceeding the prevailing market standards. Tell us more about the Petrol Q Max fuel generation?

Petrol is the largest Slovenian supplier of propellant, Diesel and petrol fuels comprising the largest network of points of sale in the Balkans. Petrol offers all major fuels, whose quality exceeds current market standards and, at the same time, the company takes care of the continuous development of ecologically acceptable fuels, which is how it adapts to the ever stricter demands of environmental protection.

In terms of their specifications, these fuels outperform current European standards in this field. The basic characteristics of the Q Max fuel meet key client requirements – reduced consumption and increased cost-effectiveness while driving, increased engine efficiency and protection as well as reduced pollutant emissions.

The new generation of Q Max fuels meets the latest demands of engine manufacturers and current European legislation and, in that, outperforms existing market standards. The latest generation of multi-functional additives that are used in Q Max fuels offer improved engine efficiency and protection, combined with an improvement in cost-effectiveness, lower consumption and a considerable reduction of pollutant emissions into the environment. The new generation fuelwas developed in collaboration with the renowned Afton Chemical corporationfrom Great Britain, one of the world’s leading additive manufacturers.

The fuels are tested multiple times in laboratory and field tests, which have shown that consumption is up to 4% lower using Petrol Q Max Euro Super 95, while it is 2.5% lower using Petrol Q Max eurodiesel fuels. All data and mentioned improvements are based on real investigations of additive suppliers using special test vehicles, but as well onfield investigations using various vehicles.

The quality of the Q Max fuel can be guaranteed due to a comprehensive and voluminous test system within the supply as well as the sales chain, which Petrol performs on its own, but also in external accredited laboratories and by constantly adapting to trends and demands of modern engines. Through our quality control system, we guarantee our customers that our fuels are the best on the market. I believe that our clients can sense the additional quality of Petrol fuels.

10. What additional service do you offer your customers, besides offering various fuels at Petrol gas stations?

We offer our customers a wide range of products for vehicles, as well as food and non-food products. What our customers like the most is to drink the best coffee-to-go, which is a synonym for coffee-to-go all over the Balkans and which you can only get at Petrol’s gas stations.

Besides the additional assortment expected at gas stations, we also offer our customers the possibility of purchasing tickets for most sports, cultural, and concert events both in the country and in the region, as we belong to the chain of Eventim outlets.

Of course, we should not forget to mention Petrol’s gold card, the first card that returns money for each liter of fuel and certain products from the catalog. In November, we will celebrate the first anniversary of Petrol’s gold card issuance.

For legal entities, I would like to mention our grey card, which offers users several privileges.

First of all, complete cost control, deferred paymentand detailed purchase records. Issuing and maintenance are free, but the real benefit is that it can be used at all Petrol's services in the country and the region, meaning at over 500 gas stations in the Balkans.

11. The Petrol Group implements the strategy of achieving business excellence by complying with the demanding environmental criteria. What certificates do you possess?

The business environment is changing rapidly. We are witnessing intense technological development. The awareness of climate changes, which are, amongst others, conditioned by the use of fossil fuels, plays an important role for companies operating in the energy sector. Energy development aims at reducing the risk of climate change while searching for solutions that provide accessible and reliable energy supplies.

Petrol d.d. possesses the following certificates:

ISO 9001 for the Quality Management System

ISO 14001 for the Environmental Management System

ISO 50001 for the Energy Management System

OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management System

Note:

Petrol d.o.o. Beograd has no ISO 50001 certification for the energy management system, but it has ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certificates (valid for energy management processes - e.g. Eltec ).

12. Your job is dynamic, but demanding. How do you manage to deal with the daily stress?

As you said yourself, my job is dynamic and requires a lot of energy, which entails some stressful situations that I handle spending time with people dear to me. In that, I’m mainly referring to the leisure time spent with my family.