The Maxol Group and BWG Foods today announced agreement on an exclusive forecourt partnership agreement for the next 5 years. The agreement, which is worth €80 million per year in retail turnover, will see the addition of a further 25 Maxol Mace forecourt operations to the network by 2012.

The announcement marks a continuation of the successful 10 year partnership between the brands which has resulted in a total of 50 Maxol Mace forecourt retail operations across the Republic of Ireland. The stores currently account for annual retail sales of approximately €80 million.

The Maxol Group, which is entirely Irish-owned by the McMullan family, is Ireland's oldest and foremost leading independent oil company. BWG Foods operates 128 Mace stores in the Republic of Ireland and currently employs over 3,000 people.

Tom Noonan, Chief Executive of The Maxol Group said, "Maxol is pleased to be extending its alliance with BWG Foods in the Republic of Ireland and looks forward to a further successful 5 years. Investment of over €35 million has already been made in our 50 stores in the last 6 years and a further €3million is planned in 2007."

Speaking at the announcement Leo Crawford, Group Chief Executive of BWG Group said, "We are delighted to have been chosen by the Maxol Group as their exclusive forecourt retail partner. Forecourt retailing has become an increasingly significant part of the retail sector in Ireland and our partnership with Maxol will allow the Mace brand to continue to grow and develop its forecourt retail offer over the next 5 years. We will continue to offer our customers a range of products and services to match their increasingly hectic lifestyles."

BWG Group operates the Mace franchise in Leinster and Munster. Mangan Wholesale operates the franchise in Connacht and other Ulster counties and J&J Haslett operates the franchise in Northern Ireland.

Maxol is one of the largest and oldest family owned concerns in the country. The Maxol Group is part of McMullan Bros. Limited and encompasses Maxol Ltd, Maxol Direct Ltd., Maxol Lubricants Ltd. and Estuary Fuel Ltd. in the Republic of Ireland and Maxol Oil Ltd. and Maxol Direct (NI) Ltd. in Northern Ireland. The Maxol Group markets a comprehensive range of oil and petroleum products to all sectors of the Irish Market, through its Retail, Commercial, Home Heat and Lubricants divisions.