Challenge (company)

Last updated

Challenge
Headquarters
Number of locations
78
Area served
New Zealand
Website www.challenge.net.nz

Challenge is a chain of independently owned petrol stations around New Zealand. [1]

The chain is made up of 78 petrol stations, including five in Auckland. Most of the petrol stations are based in small towns and stock petrol and diesel; many have amenities and small convenience stores. [2]

History

The first Challenge petrol station was opened by Fletcher Challenge in April 1998. [2] [3] The lower prices of Challenge and Gull New Zealand contributed to a price war in the New Zealand fuel retailing industry. [4]

The Challenge brand was purchased by Caltex New Zealand from Rubicon in 2001. It became part of the Rubicon business during the split of Fletcher Challenge in 2001, and was sold to Caltex New Zealand later that year. [5]

Z Energy purchased Caltex New Zealand in 2016, bringing the Challenge service station brand ownership into Z. [6] While the Challenge brand is owned by Z Energy, Challenge stores are all independently owned and operated. Store owners are all Shareholders of Dealer Co (NZ) Ltd, and the stores trade under the Challenge brand. [7]

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References

  1. "Corporate name change for Caltex". Scoop. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Challenge". challenge.net.nz. Challenge.
  3. Pickford, Michael; Wheeler, Cameron (2001). The Petrol Industry: Deregulation, Entry and Competition (PDF). Wellington: NZ Trade Consortium. pp. 4, 21. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  4. Hickey, Bernard (4 December 2018). "Q+A: Will the fuel probe find profiteering?". Newsroom.
  5. "Rubicon announces the sale of the Challenge brand to Caltex NZ". Rubicon Ltd. 28 June 2001. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  6. Burrow, Alicia (29 April 2016). "Z Energy cleared to buy Caltex and Challenge! petrol stations". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Newstalk ZB.
  7. "Z Energy shares soar after Caltex buy". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald. 2 June 2015.