By Amin Kef Sesay
Without any iota of doubt there are various motor engine oil that are produced for the primary purpose of the good functioning of engines (vehicles, motor bikes, Kekeh, tractors etc ). However, it has been proven, over time, that the most effective and outstanding one, which is in high demand, is the Castrol GTX produced in various sizes.
Castrol GTX is particularly a well-known lubricant in Sierra Leone amongst motorists and commercial users. It has been attested that it is a well-recognized product amongst consumers since the Castrol brand is about passion, excitement and performance.
As a matter of fact, the motor engine oil is one that effectively clears particles that settle in the engines of vehicles, motor bike, Kekehs which have the tendency of clogging those engines and leading to break downs. Castrol GTX prevents such from occurring with the resultant effect of good functioning of these engines.
The National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited is the only company that has the exclusive right to market the motor engine oil and it has been doing so for quite a considerable period of time. As a company that has a broad customer base and at the same time attracting new customers, the Management of the company deemed it fit to avail its numerous esteemed customers the opportunity to combine business with pleasure in February this year.
It is against such a backdrop that the NP-SL Management decided that starting this February, the company will activate a loyalty promotion as one of its yearly activities and to celebrate the holidays by offering its esteemed customers the chance to win different prizes.
As far as the Management of NP-SL Ltd is concerned, brand awareness and product visibility are key drivers in any marketing institution and therefore as part of its 2020 marketing activity plan, activation of those drivers is paramount.
Again, it is in that regard that high street stores and NP forecourts will be sale points to create brand awareness and visibility.
From the starting of the month, every time a customer buys a 5L Castrol GTX, he or she, will have a chance to dip and draw from a container filled with hidden prizes in the form of a folded slip.
Indeed, it must be reiterated that each time customers buy 5L Castrol engine oil they will dip their hands in a container and then draw folded slips. The customers will open the slips and reveal prizes or a ‘sorry buy more GTX’ on the slip.
The categories of the draw are as follows: GTX 25W50 = 1 dip & draw, GTX 20W50 = 2 dips & draw, GTX DIESEL = 2 dips & draw.
After revealing the prizes the customers will leave their details and shall be contacted by the Lubricants Sales Supervisor of NP-SL Ltd.
The Lubricants Sales Supervisor will in turn notify the winners and they will pick up their prizes at the office.
Customers who do not win prizes will be compensated with Castrol GTX bumper stickers or keyrings. This is to keep the customers loyal and identify themselves with the premium brand.
The compensation is as follows: GTX 25W50 = 1 sticker, GTX 20W50 = 1 sticker & 1 keyring, GTX DIESEL = 2 stickers & 1 keyring.
It must be known that the promotion and offers will run for a three-week period in this year, 2021.
The promotional items are: Led Light, Normal cap, Funnels, Lip balm, Keyring, Sticker, Desk Clock, Flask, File and Mug.
It must be noted that the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is an indigenous company that has impressively translated its Mission into realities on the ground. Commendably, though it is been challenged by various constraints, yet the company is weathering the storm along the way, navigating through uncharted terrain and is steadily sailing through.
NP-SL Ltd’s Mission borders on maintaining its dominant leadership position in the local market and strive to operate at sub-regional level by assuring the supply of petroleum products in an environmentally friendly manner while offering superior value for customers, employees and other stakeholders based on a proud corporate culture with emphasis on safety consciousness, profit optimization, corporate expansion thereby contributing to national development.
When this is juxtaposed with the company’s culture which is to develop a disciplined family with an institutional culture working towards building a great company and look at how the company stands tall within the petroleum marketing landscape in this country, then we will really appreciate the truism that to succeed in whatever we do in life there must be a good team spirit and a strong willpower.
Indisputably, with a strong willpower to become a giant company not only in this country but also within the West Africa sub-region dating back over fifty years ago indeed requires ingenuity, selflessness and dedication.
As far as the Mission Statement of NP-SL Ltd is concerned it has to do with: “maintaining their dominant leadership position in the local market and strive to operate at sub-regional level.” Save only for spinners, but for the vast majority they will attest with all amount of certainty that the petroleum marketing company, which is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans, has indeed become the towering petroleum marketing company in this country.
It could be recalled that there had been different petroleum companies that have operated here in this country with others still operating but they have either folded up or not so competitive. NP-SL is second to none in this country when it comes to the importation and marketing of different petroleum products.
After establishing a strong foothold on the business landscape of this country, the Shareholders of the company then decided to extend by opening branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all these countries, the company states of the art Filling Stations are located in different parts offering qualitative service delivery to their esteemed customers. This is a true manifestation of the dogged and selfless efforts on the part of the owners of the company to do what they have actually stated that they will do.
In terms of offering superior value for customers, employees and other stakeholders the company has been doing so with utmost efficiency. It is against such a backdrop that the company always outsources its fuels from the world’s leading oil refineries where the business entity’s fuels go through stringent tests and quality control in major internationally approved European laboratories.
The main products the company markets are: Petrol also known as Octane which has earned the reputation of extending the life of motor vehicles whilst at the same time protecting them from extensive damages. There is also Diesel of high quality which is recommended for all kinds of diesels engines.
NP also markets Fuel Oil of various kinds and they are of the highest standard which is suitable for all engines needing fuel oil. Besides, the company sells a stock of a wide range of lubricants and greases of BP, Castrol and AGIP brands. Today, Castrol is the widely used lubricant in the country and many have attested that it is indeed very good for effective performance of vehicles, various industrial machines as well as generators. The company as well provides special products for vehicles such as coolants, dashboard cleaners etc.
.From all that have been said, it could be apparently seen that NP-SL Ltd is a “talk and do” company. From a Mission Statement that dates back decades ago to this material period of time and seeing the preciseness of the rolling out of everything contained in it then it will be said, with every justification, that the company is a very progressive one.
