Somerset-based Southern Petroleum converts 26 stores.
Motorists in north central and southeast Kentucky are seeing new teal-and-yellow signs going up at gasoline stations now that Valero has expanded its presence in the region under an agreement with Somerset, Ky.-based distributor Southern Petroleum, Inc.
Twenty-six Southern Petroleum properties have undergone or soon will undergo conversions to the Valero brand, bringing these sites into Valero’s coast-to-coast network of over 5,000 retail and wholesale branded outlets. In addition to six sites in Shepherdsville and three sites each in Louisville, Frankfort and Shelbyville, remaining locations stretch from Bedford in the north to Whitley City in the south.
“We are very excited here at Southern Petroleum to join forces with the Valero family of brands,” said Jonathan Arnett, president and CEO of Southern Petroleum. “We have received a very warm welcome and outstanding support from Valero on every level. We plan on a long-term relationship with Valero and are proud to have the new teal and yellow colors in our portfolio.”
Founded in 1980, Texas-based Valero ranks No. 12 on the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations, and has won numerous philanthropic and industry awards – most recently raising $9 million for children’s charities through the annual Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic. Its headquarters are in San Antonio, home of the Mission San Antonio de Valero – better known as the Alamo. Valero’s shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VLO.
“When Valero purchased fuel terminals in Louisville and Lexington, we looked for a company to help us introduce the Valero brand to the Kentucky market,” said Valero’s Director of Branded Sales for the North Region, Mark Westrick. “Southern Petroleum has been a great ambassador for our company, and we look forward to continue giving the people of Kentucky another choice when it’s time to fill their tanks.”