Caltex’s magazine for employees, franchisees & resellers
Issue 48 May – Jun 09
From ship to store: why Australia needs a secure fuel supply chain
Refineries have the flexibility to change production modes in a day or to meet rapidly changing users' demands.
Why a reliable, flexible supply chain is vital to our nation and economy
Australia’s refineries are a vital component in the fuel supply chain, providing energy security and giving us the flexibility to access the fuels we want when we want them. It’s surprising, then, that their existence is under threat from the imposts of soaring taxes.
Prudent management is the key here
Simon Hepworth, Caltex’s Chief Financial Officer, how to maintain a strong balance sheet through the ups and down of the cyclical refining industry.
Cat–cracker turnaround
Maintenance work on Kurnell’s catalytic cracker is a complex and specialised task, presenting particular challenges for refinery staff. Not least is the need to bring the project in on time and safely.
Des King's farewell to Australia
With his secondment from Chevron about to end, Caltex CEO Des King talks about some of standout achievements from his time in Australia, and his affection for the country and the people.
Starlight, Caltex celebrate a 10–year partnership
Caltex has partnered with the Starlight Foundation for a decade now, during this time raising thousands of dollars to support seriously ill children and their families.
Graduate grooming
Retail's graduate program provides on the job training for the next generation of Caltex leaders.
Also in this issue
- Putting on a great show
- Pipeline planner’s quest for new control-room technology
- Caltex compassion showcased in Victorian bushfire crisis
- Lytton provides pelican haven
From the Managing Director
In ongoing public debates about such emotive subjects as fuel pricing and carbon trading, little, if any, recognition is given to the refining and marketing companies responsible for ensuring an unbroken supply of fuel to Australian users.
Thanks to companies like Caltex, drivers take for granted that high-quality fuels will be available to them at any time of day or night and always at a very competitive price.
They should not. Behind that security of supply is a vast and complex supply chain. It is the product of many hundreds of millions of dollars of investment and requires millions more to manage and maintain. It also represents the collective expertise of thousands of Caltex employees and contractors, without whom there would simply be no fuel.
As we discuss in this issue of The Star, refineries are a vital component in the fuel supply chain. They provide energy security for consumers and governments, give us the flexibility to access the fuels we want when we want them and support many, many jobs and local communities.
It seems surprising, then, that the very existence of Australian refineries is under threat – from the imposts of soaring taxes, from Australia’s proposed carbon trading scheme and growing competition from refineries overseas that face far fewer hurdles.
Australia needs companies like Caltex and its refineries. The time has come for governments and consumers alike to acknowledge that fact and support a proud Australian industry on which so much depends.
Des King