UK: Motor Fuel Group plotting £2.5bn merger with rival MRH

One of Britain’s largest independent petrol retailers could be planning a huge merger with MRH GB.

Leading British fuel retailer Motor Fuel Group (MFG) is preparing a £2.5bn merge offer with rival operator MRH GB, according to Sky News.

The merger between both companies would produce a significantly stronger fuel retailer with a network of 900 petrol stations in the UK.

MRH, which is owned by Texas private equity firm Lone Star, has 450 sites across the the country, branded as BP, Esso and Shell.

Other potential buyers include Euro Garages, another large independent retailer that is expanding in the UK and abroad, and another player from North America.

Two weeks ago MRH and Booker Retail Partners announced a wholesale supply agreement that will see Booker supply 370 MRH forecourt stores nationwide, including MRH’s own brand Hursts stores, with various product lines.