76 station to open in Yigo; competition gasses up in the north

As a result of the growing demand for fuel in the northern part of the island — and the competitive nature of the petroleum industry on Guam — South Pacific Petroleum Corp. will be breaking ground for a new 76 gas station in the village of Yigo.

“We should be starting construction on the new project as early as April ” Michael S. Hahm executive vice president and chief operating officer of SPPC said. The new station will be located on Route 1 opposite Chalan Lajuna the road leading to Perez Acres. The station will cover more than 3 600 square feet and as with the chain’s other stations will feature a Circle K convenience store.

The village of Yigo is one of the limited pockets on island in which SPPC was not adequately represented since the company took over Exxon gas stations in July 2001. SPPC has one station in Dededo. The other locations are Barrigada (2) Tamuning (2) and a station each in Sinajana Anigua Malojloj Agat and Cabras. The Yigo station will bring the total number of 76 gas stations on Guam to 11.

With SPPC being the newcomer in the petroleum industry when compared with Mobil Oil and Shell Guam Hahm said competition is what drives 76 to provide more products and better quality service. “We are constantly battling with our competitors on the marketing side to retain market share ” he said. “It is a finite market on Guam and we strive to present the public the best in service products corporate citizenship and safety.”

One instance of 76’s responsiveness to the community is SPPC’s plan to expand at the current Cabras location. “We will be adding a convenience store there to serve our customers who frequent the port ” Hahm said. The project is in progress in Piti. The new store will cover approximately 700 square feet and will feature all of the popular menu items available at other Circle K stores. “Everyone down there is excited about being able to buy good coffee.” Hahm said the convenience store should be completed by April while the new Yigo station should be completely developed before the end of the year. MBJ