25th anniversary of UNIMOT – history of leading company on Polish fuel market

Date of publication: 12.10.17

UNIMOT, the biggest independent importer of liquid fuels in Poland has been celebrating the 25th anniversary of its existence. The jubilee constitutes an opportunity to evaluate the previous achievements of the company as well as an impulse to undertake new, brave challenges.

The presence of UNIMOT on the fuel and energy market in Poland for over a quarter of the century is an unusual holiday and event. The tremendous evolution of this family company, presently being a multiutility Capital Group with a significant market share, shows the historical summary presented below.

In 1992 two brothers Adam and Piotr Sikorscy set up a company in Czestochowa, which deals with sales and distribution of car oils. The company, called Unimot Express, gradually extended its trade offer and scope of operations. Several years later a new sister company was established – Unimot Trucks, which became a partner of SCANIA, providing servicing and sales of this make in the south of the country. In the years 2000-2006 UNIMOT experienced a dynamic development. The trade operations of the company were extended by import of fuel products from the Community of Independent States, and then re-exporting them to Western Europe. In 2001 UNIMOT purchased the gas bottling plant in Zawadzkie (Opolskie Voivodeship) and soon it became a leader in its distribution in the south of Poland. After the tragic death of Piotr Sikorski in 2007 the company continued its operations opening its new branches in Warsaw and Geneva. In 2012 the company debuted on the alternative market NewConnect. Next years are characterized by fast and dynamic development. In 2014 UNIMOT launched wholesale of diesel oil, initially from two fuel depots in Poland, and a year later it conducts the trade from as many as eight depots. It also started its operations in the scope of natural gas trading, making investments in gas infrastructure and LNG liquefaction plant. Within the last two years UNIMOT has extended its product offer by supplying electricity, concentrating in the Capital Group already seven products. In March 2017 UNIMOT S.A. successfully conducted emission of shares and entered the main floor of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

Presently, UNIMOT is the biggest independent importer of diesel oil and bio-components in Poland, an important supplier of LPG fuels and electricity and a prospective natural gas distributor. The Group employs over 260 persons representing the UNIMOT brand all over Poland. It occupies the131st position on the list of biggest Polish companies.

– When I started the company together with my brother in 1992, our mission was to provide the widest possible range of products in the car oils segment, and then fuels. Competition at that time was not as strong as today and business contacts that we made allowed us to build a solid foundation on which UNIMOT is still based. However, everything that has been achieved within those 25 years is closely connected with people who surrounded me or I have met on my way. In my professional life I have been lucky to meet valuable people, committed employees, partners and contractors. Each day I take inspiration, knowledge and ideas from them – claims Adam Sikorski, co-founder of UNIMOT, currently the President of the Supervisory Board of the Company.

One of the vital factors of UNIMOT’s success is constant, dynamic development. This year the Group informed the market that is was going to achieve a significant position in the channel of retail fuel sales in Poland, constructing a new network of fuel stations under the AVIA brand. According to the assumptions, until 2020 UNIMOT wants to manage the networks of 100 of fuel stations. Additionally, the Group launched to the market its original project – Tankuj24 application – which makes possible to purchase fuels online.

– One of the fact that distinguishes us on the fuel market is that we do not accept status quo – comments Mr Robert Brzozowski, President of the Management Board of UNIMOT S.A. – We are trying to be ahead of valid trends, we create and select future-oriented solutions, among others, a mobile application and own network of fuel stations. We want to thank our Customers and Partners for trusting the potential of UNIMOT for 25 years. This is their trust that makes it possible to implement bold goals and plans. On this occasion I would also like to stress the fact that we owe our development strength to the qualified staff, excellent specialists whose commitment helps create the position of the UNIMOT Group on the market.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of UNIMOT on 6th October a ceremonial meeting was organised at ATM Studio in Warsaw. The jubilee gala was organised in a light-hearted atmosphere and led by a famous presenter Szymon Majewski. The meeting was attended by over 400 of guests including trade partners, representatives of institutions cooperating with the company, employees and friends.