Parker Racor assured fuel quality increases sales by 30%
20/08/2013 Parker Hannifin Ltd
In 2008, Italy saw the removal of restrictions in the automotive fuel market place. The managers and owners of petrol stations, who previously only managed business under the logo of large oil companies started to distribute products with their own brand and so the independent filling stations, known as "White stations†were born.To attract the attention of motorists fuel was retailed at a discounted price but this gave the customer a concern that the fuel dispensed would be of a poor quality. To overcome this incorrect customer perception a Parker Racor FBO filtration system was installed that works to guarantee the diesel fuel quality that was dispensed.
Thanks to the specification and combination of coalescing and separating elements free water is eliminated from the fuel and particulates are removed to the desired micron rating at the point of dispensing. As the FBO is installed on the forecourt the customer can see that Parker Racor filters ensure the fuel is clean and dry and of a quality standard that they would expect, contributing towards longer engine life and extending the life of the fuel filters installed on the vehicle.
In Langhirano, a region renowned for Parma ham, Carbognani was founded in 1964 by Mr Giacomo and was a seller of petroleum products under the banner of a large oil company. Over time Carbognani has built its reputation and capabilities to provide fuel to the 10,800 inhabitants and neighbours of Langirano.
In 2012, Carbognani broke free from the protective wing of the oil company and entered the free market thus enabling them to increase sales by 15% in a recessional period. However they wanted to improve their customer satisfaction. Carbognai worked with Mr Vassallo, a distributor of Parker products to specify a system that offered customers a guaranteed quality of fuel dispensed.
Mr Vassallo worked with the customer to specify a dispensing unit, which housed Racor FBO-14 series equipped with coalescing and separator elements. The FBO filters are strategically mounted in full view are attracting the attention and curiosity of the customer during the refueling process.
The owner of the fuel station then organized an educational evening to increase awareness of the FBO fuel dispensing units being used. Local mechanics and automotive repair centres in the area were invited to attend. Mr Vassallo alongside an oil refinery chemist explained the potential fuel problems coming from the use of new biofuels and their detrimental effects on common rail engines at high pressures. Soon after this evening the participants have started to advise their customers to use the Carbognani petrol station. Now, after 6 months, since the Parker Racor filters have been installed, Carbognani has increased the sales of fuel by an additional 30%!
Mrs Lucia and her father, Giordano who own Carbognani did not expect such a success but are thankful that Racor FBO products are installed.
Technical notes:
These filters can be mounted both before and after the pumps, on the pressurise side or on the vacuum side which in our experience is the most common method.
There are several specifications of the Racor FBO that have been used in this application. Each case was calculated according to the dispensing pump specifications and the annual volume of product sold. Another consideration for Parker and Carbognani is the proliferation of bacteria in the fuel, which generates premature clogging of the filter that is installed on the dispenser so it is essential that the units are specified for each application correctly.
Carbognani also gain from filtering the fuel stored at the station utilising the Parker coalescing filters to reduce plant maintenance, saving time and cost and enhancing the company reputation by not ever having to display an "Out of order†sign.
For more information, visit the company's web site at www.parker.com
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