What benefits?
Petroleum retailer who joins SAPRA?
We’ve spoken to some of our existing members and asked them what services they find most useful. The following is a summary of the most important elements we offer to members. This is why we want you to become a member.
- Legal and labour support
- Practical training and guidance
- Key industry documents
- Important updates and alerts
- Strong industry representation
SAPRA has
got your back
Dealing with legal aspects within the petroleum retail industry can be a daunting prospect for petroleum retailers. Fortunately, SAPRA has already covered all these bases and will mediate many of them on your behalf. These include important processes such as wage negotiations during an industry strike and labour disputes within the retail outlet. Many of the legal challenges you are likely to face can be prevented by implementing certain measures. We provide you with that information as part of our service.
Ready to strengthen your business?
Join the association representing
South Africa's petroleum retailers.
We actively represent petroleum retailers and work to protect member interests at an industry level. Our involvement helps ensure that decisions affecting the sector consider the needs and realities of service station operators.
We provide ongoing access to useful, practical guidance through training workshops and continuous support. Our aim is to equip members with knowledge that can be applied immediately in their businesses.
Members have access to key documents, policies and procedures relevant to operating a petroleum retail business. Information is organised and readily available, with additional support provided when needed.
Important industry developments, alerts and changes are communicated directly to members. This ensures you stay informed without needing to conduct your own research.
Key issues
The petroleum retail industry faces many challenges, from local government issues to oil price changes and declining service levels. SAPRA works to address these challenges and help members navigate them effectively.
Fuel price instability
The first of these issues is that the fuel price in South Africa fluctuates monthly. Local factors such as inflation and tax may increase the fuel price at any given time. The international oil price also affects the entire globe—and South Africa is certainly not excluded.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) penalties
Many fuel retailers in South Africa have fallen victim to health and safety inspections. These inspections can end well if you are adhering to all the requirements. But often, managers forget to implement the necessary systems or are unaware of which systems to put in place.
Again, we stand in the gap for fuel retailers who are part of the SAPRA group. By providing members with health and safety procedures, we empower them to set up their stations with all necessary requirements. SAPRA also makes a point of emailing reminders to members and notifying them of any changes or updates to OHS legislation.
Lack of labour law awareness
Another important issue that many petroleum retailers overlook is staff management. This is especially true in the event of a labour dispute or a countrywide strike. How to manage these situations often leaves retailers up the creek without a paddle. More petroleum retail owners are left with high settlement costs or are forced to shut down because of staff shortages.
But this does not have to be the case. SAPRA has dealt with all kinds of labour issues related to the petroleum retail industry. We are aware of the various procedures that need to be followed and we are happy to relay this information to our members.
Remember: SAPRA is a member of the RMI. Because of this membership, our members benefit from IR specialists who can assist on many motor industry matters.
Inferior service delivery
A big problem that plagues the South African retail industry is poor service. Forecourt attendants are often rude to customers and disgruntled customers are unlikely to return to those stations. There’s also the issue of the station owner losing business because no up-selling is being done by staff – and sometimes managers.
SAPRA provides training guidelines for managers who want to be known for superior service delivery. This includes points such as:
Again, we stand in the gap for fuel retailers who are part of the SAPRA group. By providing members with health and safety procedures, we empower them to set up their stations with all necessary requirements. SAPRA also makes a point of emailing reminders to members and notifying them of any changes or updates to OHS legislation.
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