18 Apr 2002

TEXACO AND SAMUEL COOKE LAUNCH NEW AGREEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEXACO AND SAMUEL COOKE LAUNCH NEW AGREEMENT LONDON, April 18, 2002

Texaco is underlining its commitment to the distributor market with the announcement of a significant new agreement with Mersey Oil Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of major independent oil company Samuel Cooke & Co. Ltd.

Following the appointment of Mersey Oil Co. Ltd as a branded distributor, Texaco will supply the Burnley based energy company with motor spirit, diesel, kerosene, gas and oil for the company’s fuels distribution operation in the North of England.

The agreement sees the strengthening of ties between the two companies with Texaco supplying Samuel Cooke commercially for a number of years. The relationship will also include a brief for Mersey Oil Co. Ltd to supply Manchester Police - a new Texaco contract win - with all the force’s motor fuel requirements.

Mersey Oil Co. Ltd, which becomes the 30th branded distributor in Texaco’s UK network, will also be able to take advantage of Texaco’s Extranet, which provides branded distributors with a single source for information. Another recent initiative, Distributor Advantage, brings branded distributors and Texaco management together to discuss ways of developing the sense of partnership and overall competitiveness in the market place.

Frank Carroll, Chairman of the Samuel Cooke Board of Directors, said: “We are looking forward with great enthusiasm to furthering our strong relationship with Texaco. With the appointment of Mersey Oil as a branded distributor for Texaco we will benefit from the guarantees on quality and supply as well as the advantages of brand marketing – all of which are increasingly important in today’s tough operating climate.”

Guy Vigar, Texaco General Manager Authorised Distributor Sales Europe, commented: “We are delighted to announce the association with Samuel Cooke, with whom we have had such success in the past. This agreement underlines our commitment to our distributors and the value we place on these relationships.

“At Texaco the focus for the future is on offering superior customer satisfaction and improving our ties with branded distributors through training, planning, and marketing support”, he added.

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