The Journey that Started with a Sea Shell
The story of Shell, which operates in more than 90 countries with around 101,000 employees, started 175 years ago. The decision of the UK and the Netherlands to cooperate at the beginning of the 1900s forms the basis of Shell’s current modern structure. In 1907, the Royal Dutch Shell Group of companies was established. As a result of a century-long global partnership, the Royal Dutch and the Shell Transport and Trading Company merged in 2005, taking the name Royal Dutch Shell plc.
Shell entered the Turkish market in 1923. The company, dating back to the foundation of the Republic, became one of the leading energy groups in the country through its investments.
Shell underwent restructuring in 2006 and established a joint venture with Turcas Petrol, currently continuing its business activities under the name of Shell & Turcas Petrol A.S., with Shell having a 70 percent controlling share.
Shell & Turcas Petrol A.S. covers the ownership, operation and management of retail, commercial fuels and lubricants. The merger integrated the assets, businesses and logistics into a single organization and a single brand, Shell. The joint venture is achieving growth and remarkable operational results with a retail network of 1,200 sites, among the top three Shell networks worldwide.
Shell & Turcas conducts its activities in four main categories with 800 employees: Retail Sales, Commercial Sales, Lubricants, and Supply/Distribution. Shell has already achieved the number one position in the field of lubricants as of 2008, according to PETDER (Petroleum Industry Association) reports.
Shell & Turcas also owns the largest lubricant and grease producing plant within Shell in Derince, Turkey’s pride in exports.
The joint venture was seen as one of the most successful mergers and won both local and international recognition. It earned 1st place in customer satisfaction (Source: AC Nielsen), and was 1st in differentiated fuels and 1st in 50 ppm diesel (Source: Petroleum Industry Association). The company was also selected as the “most admired company” by Capital magazine, the "most prominent company in its sector" by Dunya daily and the “leader in brand awareness” by AC Nielsen's recent study.
The Turkish market is one of the six strategic markets for the Shell Group in the downstream field (sales, marketing and distribution of fuels and related products). Peter Voser, Royal Dutch Shell Group’s CEO states that “Shell & Turcas is regarded as one of the most successful merger models within the Shell Group.”
Shell will continue to invest in Turkey and to introduce new products and services that help its customers become more energy efficient.