Mergers and acquisitions in Ukraine's gas station market are quite rare, and the sale of gas station networks in Poland is also infrequent. For this reason, NaftoRynok decided to delve deeper into AMIC Polska’s recent acquisition of the Lux-Motor Oil network. AMIC Polska's CEO Krzysztof Strzelecki and AMIC Energy shareholder Andreas Sernetz spoke to NaftoRynok about the timeline for rebranding the new gas stations and shared their future growth plans.
NaftoRynok (NR): Tell us how you sought out a network for acquisition.
Andreas Sernetz: We are closely monitoring the Polish market for growth opportunities. The Polish market is currently very dynamic, which allowed us to consider several prospects last year. Through thorough market research, we learned that Lux-Motor Oil was open to strategic partnership, and we determined that Lux-Motor Oil was the best fit for our AMIC Energy network. This understanding paved the way for productive acquisition negotiations, ultimately leading to the signing of this deal.
NR: What specifically drew AMIC Energy to this network?
Andreas Sernetz: AMIC Energy chose the Lux-Motor Oil gas station network for its strong market presence and customer loyalty in a region where AMIC Energy had no gas stations. We selected this network for acquisition based on a comprehensive market analysis, which highlighted its significant growth potential and compatibility with our operational structure.
NR: Can you share information about current sales volumes at the acquired stations?
Andreas Sernetz: While we cannot disclose specific figures due to confidentiality agreements, the acquired gas stations are performing steadily and have a loyal customer base.
We believe there is significant growth potential as we implement our enhanced service and branding standards, including strategies to increase sales volumes through the influence of our brand and the expansion of the corporate segment.
NR: How has this acquisition impacted AMIC Polska’s market position and customer reach in Poland?
Krzysztof Strzelecki: This acquisition significantly strengthens AMIC Polska’s market position by expanding our geographic reach and providing our existing customer base with more accessible service options. It sends a clear signal to the market that AMIC Energy is committed to growth and actively seeks opportunities to expand its network. This strategic move is an important step in our long-term plan to become a major player in Poland’s fuel market.
NR: Beyond the recent acquisition, are there specific regions where you plan to expand your presence, either in Poland or other countries?
Andreas Sernetz: Yes, we are actively seeking opportunities in rapidly growing regions across Poland and are open to exploring acquisition possibilities in neighboring countries that align with our strategic goals. Our primary focus is on stations located in high-demand areas with significant growth potential, particularly where we do not yet have a presence. Lux-Motor Oil was not the only expansion for the AMIC Polska network. We also opened a brand-new station in Legnica—this was a greenfield construction project in a highly attractive region.
We aim for continuous growth over the next five years by opening new locations and incorporating existing stations into our network.
NR: Tell us more about the new station in Legnica. What sets it apart from other AMIC Energy stations?
Krzysztof Strzelecki: The new AMIC Energy station in Legnica, opened in August 2024, stands out with its modern design and a range of enhanced customer conveniences, with a strong focus on sustainability.
Modernity and Energy Efficiency
A photovoltaic system will utilize solar energy, reducing the station's reliance on traditional energy sources. A heat recovery ventilation system optimizes energy efficiency by reusing heat from exhaust air. Rainwater tanks will be used to collect and store rainwater for irrigation, contributing to water conservation. Acoustic screens will be installed around the station to reduce noise pollution and protect neighboring properties from excessive noise.
Additionally, an electric vehicle charging station is planned, offering customers the convenience of charging their EVs. These eco-friendly technologies showcase AMIC Energy’s commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
As with other AMIC Energy stations, the Legnica station will feature a coffee corner, where customers can enjoy coffee made using a self-service system. Moreover, a self-service payment kiosk will be installed, allowing customers to quickly pay for fuel and other services using credit or transport cards. These customer-friendly features aim to ensure a positive experience, making every visit as comfortable as possible.
NR: What rebranding and integration measures are currently being carried out for Lux-Motor Oil, and what does this process typically involve?
Andreas Sernetz: Rebranding involves updating station signage, integrating our customer service standards, and ensuring the stations meet our operational standards.
The Lux-Motor Oil stations are very well-maintained, which is one of the reasons we acquired this network, but we will still renovate all stores to align with our standards for non-fuel retail. Thanks to our franchising concept introduced two years ago, we have significant experience in this area.
The entire rebranding and integration process for Lux-Motor Oil into the AMIC Energy network takes several months, as we want to ensure a smooth transition for employees and customers.
NR: Could you provide detailed information about the timeline for integrating these stations into the AMIC Polska network? How many stations have already been updated?
Krzysztof Strzelecki: We aim to complete the rebranding of all acquired stations within the next year. Several stations are already undergoing integration, and we expect the majority to be fully operational under the AMIC Energy brand by early 2025.
About AMIC Polska
NR: How many gas stations are currently in AMIC Energy’s Polish network, and what are you currently focused on?
Krzysztof Strzelecki: AMIC Energy currently operates 128 modern gas stations in Poland. Our wide range of products and services caters to the needs of both individual and business customers. The network offers high-quality fuels, including 95 and 98 octane gasoline, liquefied gas, and diesel, as well as premium fuel products such as AMIC Pro ON and AMIC Pro 95.
At 67 AMIC Energy stations, Subway restaurants are in operation, while five stations feature Sbarro pizzerias, a partnership established in 2022. Our store assortment includes a wide variety of high-quality private-label products.
Some stations are equipped with modern automatic car washes, self-service vacuum cleaners, and air compressors.
We are continually developing the AMIC Club loyalty program, which allows customers to enjoy attractive discounts, vouchers, and rewards from a catalog. AMIC Energy gas stations are popular destinations, attracting not only drivers but also people who enjoy our food, both on-site and via delivery.
Focus on Food Service
Since 2018, AMIC Energy has been actively investing in the development of its food service offerings. Currently, we are the largest Subway franchisee in Poland. By the end of 2024, AMIC Energy plans to operate 69 Subway locations, further solidifying its presence in the fast food sector. This expansion reflects AMIC Energy's commitment to providing high-quality dining establishments and meeting the growing demand for convenient meal options. As the company continues to grow, customers can look forward to an even greater variety of delicious offerings.
NR: How do you plan to develop your collaboration with Sbarro?
Krzysztof Strzelecki: AMIC Energy aims to diversify its fast food offerings with an exciting franchising concept centered around pizza—a dish immensely popular in Poland. A key feature for consumers is the fresh, hand-made dough prepared on-site, reminiscent of traditional pizzerias, crafted with the highest-quality ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. Customers can order pizza by the slice, with each piece conveniently packaged. This new concept aims to cater to diverse customer preferences and enhance the quality of service at AMIC Energy locations.
Among the popular dishes is the classic favorite—pepperoni pizza with flavorful slices of pepperoni, melted cheese, and a perfectly crispy crust. For those seeking something more adventurous, Sbarro offers unique creations like cheeseburger pizza, blending bold flavors of a classic cheeseburger—juicy meat, melted cheese, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and burger sauce.
But Sbarro’s offerings aren’t limited to pizza! Customers can also enjoy stromboli—an Italian delicacy made from rolled pizza dough generously filled with delicious ingredients and baked with a mix of cheeses, including mozzarella, cheddar, and ricotta.
With this innovative approach, AMIC Energy provides customers with an unprecedented dining experience, bringing together two globally recognized food brands under one roof. This dual-branding strategy enhances convenience and variety for travelers, offering them a diverse culinary selection during their journeys. By the end of this year, AMIC Energy will have eight Sbarro locations. This is part of a growth strategy aimed at increasing the brand's market presence.
New Store Format
NR: You recently launched a new store format—AMIC Box. Do you plan to expand the number of AMIC Boxes in Poland or abroad?
Andreas Sernetz: We indeed plan to expand the AMIC Box concept that we launched in Poland. However, we also see potential for this model in other countries, and we are exploring franchising opportunities to grow our international presence.
NR: Are there specific plans to expand in non-fuel services, fleet management, or wholesale trade?
Krzysztof Strzelecki: Yes, we are actively exploring opportunities to expand non-fuel services, including corporate segments and wholesale operations. This diversification allows us to create new revenue streams and better meet the needs of our customers. We take great pride in our achievements in the non-fuel sector, which is as vital to AMIC Energy’s core business as fuel sales.
For instance, we have become the largest Subway franchisee in Poland and introduced the Italian pizza brand Sbarro, continually adding new Sbarro restaurants to our gas stations. In addition to our restaurants, we have developed our own brand, Impet, under which we offer energy drinks, beer, water, and windshield washer fluid.
