PetrolPlaza Talks #3: Fuel retail in Latin America in the era of COVID

The third episode of PetrolPlaza Talks will look at the fuel retailing market in Latin America after months of confinement and social distancing rules. We will have experts from Mexico, Peru and Argentina to learn about the changes that are expected and how the industry is dealing with the current scenario.

Service stations have been considered an essential service from the beginning of the quarantine. Low mobility has led to losses of more than 50% in a number of countries in the region. Although the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow, some markets have started to recover and fuel sales are improving.

Among the 15 countries in the world with the highest number of confirmed cases are four in Latin America: Brazil, Peru, Chile and Mexico, according to figures from John Hopkins University in the USA. An increase in the number of cases has led to an extension of confinement rules in Chile, Peru and Ecuador over the last days.

The new rules of social distancing have forced gas stations and convenience stores to adapt to a new reality with strict hygiene and safety measures. The pandemic has also accelerated a number of changes in the industry, such as contacless payments and the c-store deliveries.

Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2020. 12:00 - Mexico City | 14:00 - Buenos Aires | 19:00 PM - Madrid
Duration: 60 minutes
Language: Spanish

Panel:

Luis Carbone Nicolini – Corporate Manager of Industrial Operations, Primax

Luis Carbone has been working for seven years with Primax, a leader in the fuel retail sector in Peru with over 1,000 stations and an important regional player with large networks in Colombia and Ecuador. Carbone is responsible for Primax's supply chain in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as well as operations planning, capex and opex purchases, distribution and warehousing.

Roberto Díaz De León – President, Onexpo Nacional

In 2017 he was appointed President of the National Organization of Petroleum Exporters (ONEXPO), the largest union of gas station associations in Mexico. He is also CEO of Combured, a chain of 35 sites operating under the Mobil brand. In 2018 he was included as one of the 100 leaders in the energy sector by Petróleo & Energía magazine.

Frank De Poli – Regional Director, Elaflex Latin America

Frank De Poli has been involved in the petroleum equipment retail industry for over 35 years, as his family owns a major gas station equipment and service company operating in several Latin American countries since 1918. For the past 12 years, De Poli has been the Director of Elaflex Latin America and is currently Co-Director of the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) representing District 12.