Mon 6 Jan 2014, 13:21 GMT

World Fuel Services to acquire Watson Petroleum


UK firm is a leading distributor of gasoline, diesel, heating oil and lubricants in England and Wales.



World Fuel Services Corporation (WFS) announced today that a wholly owned subsidiary of the company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Watson Petroleum Ltd., a leading distributor of gasoline, diesel, heating oil, lubricants and other products and related services across England and Wales, for a purchase price of GBP 117 million (US$191 million). The purchase price will be funded through cash-on-hand and the company’s existing credit facilities, WFS said.

Watson Petroleum is headquartered in Brinkworth, England and has 670 employees. With expected 2013 revenue of $2.2 billion, Watson Petroleum is one of the largest fuel distributors in the United Kingdom.

"We look forward to welcoming the Watson Petroleum team to World Fuel Services,” said Michael J. Kasbar, president and chief executive officer of World Fuel Services Corporation. "Combined with our existing land business in the United Kingdom, this transaction will further solidify Watson’s position as one of the largest distributors of ground-based fuels in the United Kingdom and will provide a platform for further growth in the ground fuels space in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe."

"We are very excited to be joining a company with the capabilities and breadth of products and services of World Fuel. Coupled with World Fuel’s solid financial foundation, this transaction will allow us to expand our product and service offerings and further grow our distribution network," stated Tony Watson, managing director of Watson Petroleum Limited.

The transaction is expected to be $0.18 to $0.22 accretive to earnings on a GAAP basis in the first twelve months. Non-GAAP accretion, which excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets of approximately $0.10 per share, is expected to be $0.28 to $0.32 in the first twelve months.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory consents and closing conditions and is expected to be completed within the next ninety days.


Malik Supply logo. Malik Supply seeks bunker trader for Dubai office expansion  

Danish firm looking for experienced professionals with a minimum of two years in bunker trading.

Greenergy River vessel. NYK joint venture names first China-built dual-fuel LNG carrier in six-vessel CNOOC series  

174,000-cbm vessel uses both fuel oil and boil-off gas as fuel.

Steve Esau, Sea-LNG. Anew Climate joins SEA-LNG coalition to advance bio-LNG adoption in the maritime sector  

North American low-carbon fuels company brings liquefied biomethane supply to the coalition.

Na Hiro E Pae vessel. Wind propulsion breaks new ground on French Polynesian multipurpose vessel  

Bound4blue installs its eSAIL on what is believed to be the world’s first multipurpose vessel fitted with wind propulsion.

Levante LNG vessel. Peninsula outlines case for bio-LNG as near-term emissions pathway for LNG-fuelled vessels  

Company says bio-LNG offers operators a practical route to emissions cuts using existing infrastructure.

Saiful Haziq and David Foo. Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers receives MPA harbour craft workforce award  

Bunkering firm recognised for its support of Singapore's maritime training programme.

UK Chamber of Shipping logo. UK Chamber of Shipping publishes safety evidence base for alternative marine fuels  

New report covering five fuel pathways aims to support the industry’s safe transition to net zero.

Ammonia vessel render. Navigator Gas secures $121.8m loan for two ammonia carriers under construction in China  

Navigator Holdings and Amon Maritime joint venture locks in six-year post-delivery financing for dual-fuel vessels due in 2028.

Renewable methanol production illustration. US project cancellation marks first monthly contraction in renewable methanol pipeline in over three years  

GENA’s July 2026 data shows a 0.5 MMT pipeline contraction as North America loses ground.

Orica logo. Orica reaches FID on Australian renewable ammonia project as US mega-scale cancellation dents low-carbon pipeline  

GENA data shows project pipeline contraction as Air Products’ Louisiana complex is halted.