SEO Bids to Attract Teboil Operators Amid Ongoing Sanctions
Finnish fuel chain SEO is making a strategic move to entice Teboil franchise operators, as sanctions on Moscow continue to ripple through the industry.
In a bid to bolster its network, SEO, which operates over 240 service stations across Finland, has reached out to nearly every Teboil station owner in the country. Teboil, a subsidiary of the Russian company Lukoil, has faced significant challenges in light of recent geopolitical tensions.
According to Arto Viljanen, an SEO representative, the company is actively gauging the interest of Teboil operators in switching allegiance. With approximately 400 Teboil service stations nationwide—80 of which employ on-site staff—the potential for significant growth is evident.
The shakeup in the market has already seen some Teboil customers migrating to SEO, leading to a notable uptick in fuel sales at SEO stations. In fact, at certain locations, sales have surged by double-digit percentages since Teboil’s troubles began.
Last month, Finnish energy giant Neste halted fuel deliveries to Teboil, a move prompted by the latest round of sanctions against Moscow. These sanctions, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, placed Lukoil in a precarious position, warning that businesses engaging with subsidiaries of Russian oil firms could face repercussions.
This situation has opened a door for SEO, positioning them as a viable alternative in an increasingly competitive landscape where political and economic factors intertwine with day-to-day operations.