​“We are thrilled that we have received the Mastercard Trader of the Year award for the third consecutive year,” says Tomasz Wiatrak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, which also includes Benzina ORLEN. He adds: “We sell top-quality fuels as a standard. We added a broad portfolio of supplementary products, including snacks and refreshments, several years ago. All of this is offered in an attractive setting with professional customer services. We keep moving ahead, so we have lately offered our clients mobile applications with rich benefits. This long-term approach and support of our parent ORLEN Group have made us a Czech market leader. Our market share in fuel sales has grown from 15% to 25% over the past eight years. Sales of refreshments have risen by more than 300%. This achievement is a great encouragement for us to continue improving our customer services. I want to use this occasion to thank our clients for their trust and loyalty on behalf of the entire team.”

Despite stiff competition, Benzina ORLEN ranked first out of eight nominees in the category of Mastercard Filling Station with a Convenience Store. The company did great in the overall assessment, too, ranking in the ninth place. It scored not only in terms of customer loyalty and trust but also as the best rememberable entity. In an independent survey, Benzina ORLEN was the most frequent merchant in its category mentioned spontaneously. The most popular filling station network in the Czech Republic took leading positions also in terms of its ability to readily adapt the offer and store operations to the ever-changing conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Benzina ORLEN’s regular top rankings in the Mastercard Trader of the Year contest result from the long-term strategy focused on the consistent modernisation of filling stations, expanded services, and improved quality. At Benzina ORLEN forecourts, drivers can enjoy both high-quality Stop Cafe refreshments served in a pleasant setting and premium Verva and Efecta fuels with a purifying effect for their cars. Benzina ORLEN is thus a clear leader in the Czech market, and drivers see it as a modern and most popular brand.
Benzina ORLEN has significantly reinforced its position over the past ten years. While in 2014, the brand with the traditional winged horse logo held 15% of the market, now it controls about 25%. Customers mostly appreciate high-quality fuels, a modern concept, and a broad selection of supplementary products and services, especially the Stop Cafe concept. It is now available in 313 out of 419 Benzina ORLEN sites in the Czech Republic.

The Mastercard Trader of the Year is a prestigious award for the best retail companies in the Czech Republic. The current, 28th annual contest had nine categories. The awards are based on a representative public opinion survey held at the end of October 2020. It was run by G82 online among 1,000 respondents aged 15-69 years. This year’s contest also comprised the traders’ reactions to the coronavirus-related situation and events.

​“When we parted with Martin in November, I was secretly hoping that our support could help him get to a position in the TOP 10,” says Tomasz Wiatrak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, which includes Benzina ORLEN. He adds: “And now, it has become a reality. It is real evidence that our partnership with Martin Prokop, who accomplishes outstanding results in endurance car races, makes sense and brings success. When the preparations impacted by pandemic restrictions involve not only diligence but also real professionalism spiced with excitement and passion, even a private team can work its way up to the level of factory brands. I am also pleased by the good rankings of the other ORLEN Team members. Jakub Przygoński in his car and Kamil Wiśniewski on a quad showed remarkable performance during the race, coming within an ace of the winners’ podium. I want to congratulate to the entire team in the Benzina and ORLEN colours and am looking forward to the next great results!”

“Once you have a stab at the elite TOP 10, the big guys who are at the Dakar top, it is almost like a drug. It is something you pursue despite all the obstacles. And there have been quite many of them at this year’s Dakar. But we managed to overcome them, not only on our own but also with the help of our contenders. All of this has helped us to finish this ever-challenging, faster and tight race in the ninth place,” Martin Prokop, a BENZINA ORLEN Team racer, speaks excitedly about his participation in The Dakar 2021. He was driving the Ford Raptor RS Cross-Country MP-Sports special, whose long name has changed into a more apt nickname, “Shrek”. “Of course, I am not the only one contributing to this success. I want to thank ORLEN and Benzina for their trust and dedication. Without their excellent support, we would have never had a chance to get where we are now. I want to thank my second half – navigator Viki Chytka, who has done a great job. And finally, I am glad for the changes we had applied to Shrek shortly before the start together with our team of great people, fans, and experts. It was why Shrek could equally stand up to the factory specials by Toyota or Mini,” Martin Prokop extends his thanks.

38-year-old Martin Prokop took part in The Dakar for the sixth time. He got behind the wheel of the Ford Raptor RS Cross-Country MP-Sports racer with starting number 312 and Benzina and ORLEN logos together with his co-driver, Viktor Chytka. They are a well-coordinated team. The experienced racer uses his wealth of experience behind the wheel gained during his engagement in world rally championships and many endurance races. The best achievements of the native from Jihlava include the seventh and sixth place in the Dakar in 2018 and 2019, and his victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2018. This year’s ninth place and primarily the third stage place has definitely made their mark in the history of Czech Dakar racers.

Martin Prokop will continue racing for the BENZINA ORLEN Team in the coming season, as well. He will participate in the World Cup for Cross Country Bajas series such as Baja Dubai, Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge or Baja Poland.

Martin Prokop and Viktor Chytka at The Dakar – facts and figures:

• 150 litres of motor oil
• 4,600 litres of fuel
• 54 tyres
• 2 windscreens
• 3 brake pad sets
• 72 litres of sports drinks during speed tests
• 36 energy gels
• 24 sausages
• 10 packs of crisps
• 5 packs of peanut crisps

Connection sections: 3,062 km
Measured stage sections: 4,787 km
Total: 7,849 km

 

Benzina ORLEN is part of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, a member of the international ORLEN Group. It operates the largest network of filling stations in the Czech Republic. It originated in 1958, and it is a traditional, yet modern brand of Czech motorists, characterised by the provision of high-quality fuels and customer services. Besides EFECTA fuels with a purifying effect, Benzina ORLEN also offers premium VERVA fuels and a broad portfolio of refreshments within its STOP CAFE concept. Benzina ORLEN issues EASY and BUSINESS fuel cards and offers two mobile apps for its customers: the Benzina loyalty app and a carwash app, Mycí digi linka. In the Czech Republic, Benzina ORLEN operates 416 stations and has a market share of 25%. It entered the Slovak market in 2019 by opening the first outlet in Malacky. Benzina ORLEN’s Slovak network currently comprises 20 stations.

More information: www.benzina.cz , www.facebook.com/Benzina.cz  or https://www.instagram.com/benzinacz/
Contact: Pavel Kaidl, spokesman, telephone: +420 736 502 520, email: pavel.kaidl@unipetrol.cz

​“In the challenging times affected by Covid-19, there was a decrease in the number and volume of transactions across many cash services. There was also a decrease at Komerční banka drive-up ATMs, but it was minimal compared to other ATMs. Therefore, one can say that our clients consider the drive-up ATM to be a safe method of executing their cash transactions on the 24/7 basis,” said Jana Švábenská, executive director for Transaction and Payment Services at Komerční banka.

Komerční banka is the only bank using special drive-up ATMs for motorists in collaboration with Benzina ORLEN. The popularity of these ATMs with drivers during the difficult times of the state of emergency declared by the Czech government in spring, and again this autumn, has shown that drive-up ATMs are more convenient for clients. It is clearly because the clients can control the ATM from their car window without being in contact with other people near the ATM. In addition to cash withdrawals, the ATMs also accept deposits. This service is appreciated mainly by business owners who no longer need to go to a branch with their takings or look for another deposit ATM.

“We have the largest chain of filling stations and the largest café network in the Czech Republic. We invest CZK 1 billion per year in the development and expansion of our network and continue expanding the offer of services for our customers. Therefore, we have been operating drive-up ATMs in collaboration with Komerční banka since 2018. I am pleased that our customers have taken to these machines. We continue innovating our services even more. This year, we have launched a new mobile application enabling payments for filling-up directly at the pump, including a loyalty programme. We also accept payment for refreshments through meal vouchers. Our goal is to be even closer to our customers. Therefore, we are preparing additional new features and improvements for next year,” said Marek Zouvala, director of the Benzina ORLEN network, which is a part of the Unipetrol Group.

Komerční banka’s network of ATMs comprises over 800 machines all over the Czech Republic. It is a clear number one on the market in terms of deposit ATMs, operating 418 of them, and their number continues to grow. Clients withdraw over CZK 360 million from KB ATMs and deposit over CZK 230 million via them every day. Each month, there are around two million cash withdrawal or deposit transactions.

Benzina ORLEN operates the largest network of filling stations in the Czech Republic. A total of 416 red-and-white outlets offer top-quality additivated fuels with guaranteed quality. Customers can choose from the basic range of EFECTA petrol and diesel with a purifying effect on the car’s engine, or the premium VERVA range focused on the engine’s performance. Benzina ORLEN service stations offer end-to-end services, including the famous Stop Cafe concept. The broad Stop Cafe portfolio includes popular hotdogs and high-quality fair-trade coffee mixed in Belgium, as well as traditional and modern meals from fresh products such as salads, Italian pasta, or tortillas. With comfortable relaxation zones, the modern Benzina ORLEN stations are a popular place for relaxation, refreshment, entertainment, as well as for business meetings.

 

 

 

​​

“Our triumph in this year’s Trustworthy Brands 2020 competition pleases us in many regards. Benzina ORLEN brand is the best in many categories on the market. According to the newest research, the position of the brand on the market is stable and strong. In terms of awareness, quality and credibility we are constantly growing. People see our products as top quality in a good price. Benzina brand represents friendly company close to the customers and their expectations. International ORLEN brand is well known as the innovative, modern company creating the new solutions,” says Tomasz Wiatrak, board chairman of the Unipetrol Group, also including Benzina. “In this consumers’ vote, Benzina for the first time won after its co-branding in the colours of its parent company, the ORLEN Group. The Trustworthy Brand 2020 award is also a reward for all the employees at our filling stations who are working on the front line selflessly and with maximum commitment to help keep the economy going and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We also appreciate our customers’ business and that they respect the adopted measures. It was also thanks to them that we did not record any risky situations at our stations.”

The main factors involved in success of brand Benzina ORLEN include long-term investments in the development of customer services and the modernisation of its filling stations that total approximately CZK 1 billion each year. Benzina ORLEN also continues to focus on expanding its Stop Cafe concept, which is now available at 310 outlets, representing three-quarters of the network. Refreshments are Benzina Orlen fastest-growing segment. Their sales have grown an incredible 320% since 2012. “The importance of complementary sales was obvious also during the spring’s state of emergency when there was a blanket decrease in the sale of fuels in connection with a lower mobility in the country. But complementary sales recorded a year-on-year increase of tens of per cent. In this difficult period, our filling stations were a shopping alternative for people,” explains Marek Zouvala, director of the Benzina ORLEN network. Benzina ORLEN has been accepting e-voucher cards for purchasing refreshments and food items at all its filling stations since June. At the end of September, it launched a new mobile application, “Benzina aplikace”, which allows payment for filling up directly at the pump and includes a loyalty programme.

“The Most Trustworthy Brand” competition was organised for the sixth time by Atoz Marketing Services. Based on its authorisation, the Nielsen agency addressed 4,000 respondents this summer and autumn. A representative sample of Czech consumers evaluated more than 600 brands divided into 65 groups using online questionnaires. In each category, there was a maximum of ten strong brands in terms of sales from which to choose. Benzina ORLEN won “Most Trustworthy Brand” in the Merchants category in 2020, and received the prestigious title for the fourth consecutive time in six years. ​

​

​“The BENZINA ORLEN Team and Dakar are like two peas in a pod,” says Tomasz Wiatrak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Unipetrol Group, also including Benzina. “That is why it was crystal clear for Benzina and ORLEN that they will continue their successful partnership with Martin Prokop who accomplishes fantastic results in endurance races. Although the coronavirus pandemic has largely spoilt this year’s preparation, Martin is a struggler who never gives up. He is ready to fight in The Dakar with all his strength. He has our full support; we wish him luck and the best position possible,” adds Mr Wiatrak, who is a big motorsport fan.

“I am happy that we have agreed to cooperate with the support of Benzina and ORLEN brands and prepare the car and the entire team for the 2021 Dakar,” says Martin Prokop, a BENZINA ORLEN Team racer. “This year’s situation has not been very favourable, and so I appreciate the partnership with the ORLEN Group brands even more. In these uneasy times, their strong financial background gives us the necessary stability and space to meet our goals,” Martin Prokop comments on the challenging conditions this year.

“We do not aim too high because we have not participated in almost any race due to the coronavirus this year. On the other hand, this pause, paradoxically enough, did not go amiss because I had pulled my physical strengths together, and I am looking forward to racing even more. It helps me a lot,” Martin Prokop says. “We have made quite many substantial changes in the car, which will help us reach significantly higher speeds in the speedy sections where we were losing last year. In any case, we will race at full throttle to please our fans and celebrate the best possible result in the finish.”

It will be the sixth Dakar for the 38-year-old Martin Prokop. He will get behind the wheel of the Ford Raptor RS Cross-Country MP-Sports with starting number 312 and Benzina and ORLEN logos together with his co-driver, Viktor Chytka. The experienced racer uses the wealth of experience from his engagement in the world rally championship and many endurance races. The seventh and sixth places in The Dakar in 2018 and 2019 are among the greatest achievements of the native of Jihlava, as well as the victory at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2018. Martin Prokop has also competed in Benzina colours this year in the WRC series, taking part in the Rally Sardinia with the Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

With the 43rd annual endurance race, the 2021 Dakar is the most challenging motorsports event. This year, The Dakar will start on Sunday, 3 January, on the shores of the Red Sea, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After 11 stages, the racers are expected to arrive back to Jeddah on Friday, 15 January. The itinerary will also include a two-day marathon stage that must be completed without the help of teams. The route will be completely different than last year. The organisers are promising attractive shifts between challenging technical sections and fast sections, the ride in the dunes and on a hard surface. While the ORLEN Team will be on the start of the famous race for the 21st time, the BENZINA ORLEN Team will open the second year of its presence.

 

 

​

​“The safety of our customers and people working at our stations is a top priority for us. We are part of the Czech Republic’s critical infrastructure, and our task is to secure fuel supplies and sale in any situation. We completed our task during the spring emergency, and we are ready to fulfil it now, as well. We installed protective Perspex counters and provided sanitisers and other protective equipment at all Benzina stations in March. The new in multifunctional air purifiers eliminating the COVID-19 is another step towards boosting the safety of our customers in these challenging times,” said Tomasz Wiatrak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Unipetrol Group, which also includes Benzina.
The multifunctional device disinfects and sterilises the air and filters particles within one unit. The innovative equipment uses high-efficiency bacteriological and virucidal UVC lamps. UVC radiation destroys bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms in the air.

 

 

​​

"As the current trend is moving everything to the mobile phones, this is the next step in the digitalization process at the whole Unipetrol Group. New digital communication platforms are coming into the fuel sales segment. As an innovative leader, Benzina constantly brings its customers novelties. The most up-to-date novelty is the mobile application, in which you can not only buy products and services, but also benefit from a rich loyalty program," said Tomasz Wiatrak, CEO of the Unipetrol Group.

It is easy to get loyalty rewards. Just download the free Benzina app and register. Users of the Benzina platby app do not need to download the application; all they need to do is to allow an automated update. Customers receive points for all payments via the app and payments at the cash register after submitting a unique QR code. Points will be received for the payment of the complete portfolio of snacks, goods, and services. Customers will get points for payments in cash, by card and Benzina Tankarta Easy and Tankarta Business tank cards. For each koruna spent, they will get one point, the so-called “Koník”. Bonus points will also be awarded on birthdays and other special occasions. The points can then be exchanged for special offers or free products at the Stop Cafe fast food sites. In the future, the bonus offer should be expanded to include other product categories.

The Benzina application is a successor to the previous Benzina platby app that was launched in 2018. In practice, it works as follows: after filling up, customers scan the unique QR code from the pump into their mobile phone. Payment information appears automatically, which they confirm, thus paying for the fill-up. The application reports a payment sent, displays the receipt, and the customer can leave satisfied. Payments via the application directly at the pump can now be made not only by bank card but also using the Tankarta Easy. It provides an immediate discount of up to CZK 1 on each litre of fuel with each refilling. The Tankarta Business option for corporate clients will be added to the app by the end of this year. The application can also be used to navigate to the nearest Benzina station.

“We are glad that our customers have accepted our mobile app and have been using it a lot. The launch of the new application and introduction of loyalty rewards is, therefore, the next logical step to get closer to our customers. With this move, we want to thank them for many years of loyalty and to offer them more services. We have already prepared attractive benefits for our customers who can look forward to even more of them in the future,” said Marek Zouvala, Director of the Benzina network.

The Benzina application works in the Android and iOS environments. It can be downloaded for free and installed from Google Play and App Store. Payments using a smartphone with an installed Benzina application can be made at all Benzina public filling stations for filling up petrol, diesel fuel, AdBlue, and CNG.​

​

​ Together with its parent company Unipetrol, Benzina has been part of the international ORLEN Group since 2005. The introduction of a combined ORLEN-Benzina logo at prestigious sports events is a continuation of the current advertising campaign where ORLEN is raising the customers’ awareness that Benzina, as the traditional Czech brand, is part of an international network of over 2,800 service stations in five countries (Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania).

​Benzina entered the Slovak market in April last year with its first filling station in Malacky. At the end of the year, the company had ten stations in its network, including two express-service sites. Tomasz Wiatrak, CEO of the Unipetrol Group, said: “In the Czech Republic, our investment exceeding CZK 1 billion goes primarily to the Benzina network modernisation and implementation of the Stop Cafe concept. It is now available in two-thirds of all stations. In Slovakia, we invest in particular in fast network development. We want to double the number of filling stations this year.”

​