Kuwait Petroleum International

Kuwait Petroleum International, often referred to by its trademark Q8, refines and markets fuel, lubricants and other petroleum derivatives in Europe. It supplies 4,000 retail service stations, as well as direct sales operations delivering fuel and heating oil to domestic and industrial users. Q8 also operates an International Diesel Service (IDS) - a secure fuel card service supported by automated technology for international road transportation companies - through more than 700 strategically located sites throughout Europe. Q8 also has a significant aviation business marketing jet fuel at more than 40 airports worldwide and a lubricants business with five lubricants blending plants, direct sales and marketing activities across Europe and export sales to over 75 countries worldwide.

History

* 1938 Discovery of Oil in Kuwait
* 1975 Nationalisation Oil wells in Kuwait
* 1980 Foundation Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
* 1983 Foundation Kuwait Petroleum International Limited - Acquisition Gulf Oil in the Benelux, Sweden and Denmark
* 1984 Acquisition Gulf Oil in Italy
* 1986 Acquisition of Hays Petroleum Services (which had previously been owned by the Kuwait Investment Office, and used the Pace Petroleum brand) and Ultramar in the UK - Introduction of the Q8 brand
* 1987 Acquisition of BP in Denmark
* 1987 Acquisition of the Soviet-controlled Nafta in Britain
* 1990 Acquisition of Mobil Oil in Italy
* 1997 Joint Venture with Agip - Milazzo refinery in Sicily
* 1998 Joint Venture OK Petroleum and KPI in Sweden establishing the OKQ8 brand
* 1998 Acquisition of BP retail Belgium
* 1999 Acquisition of Aral Belgium
* 2004 Acquisition of Tango unmanned sites from Petroplus in the Netherlands (62 sites), Belgium (4 sites) and Spain(1 site); these are typically now branded "Q8 Easy"
* 2004 Sale of UK operations to a consortium operating under the name Pace Petroleum
* 2005 Sale of Thai operations to the Malaysian company Petronas
* 2006 Sale of German operation (which had 37 service stations under the Markant brand) to Westfalen

Origin of brand

When it was launched in 1986, the Q8 brand was an instant success. Its strength and originality made it stand out from competing brands, earning a rapid recognition and awareness in the market places. Today almost 20 years after conception it is still being used as an example of good logo design.

The graceful sails of a dhow, a typical Arab sailboat, recall a rich history that begins somewhere in antiquity with pearl divers. They also evoke the history of what once was a proud seafaring nation. The colours yellow, red and blue symbolise the desert, sun and sea receptively.

Businesses

* Retail Service Stations
* Private & Business Fuel
* Lubricants
* Road Transport Diesel
* Aviation