Z Energy, Waiuku, New Zealand
The fuel retail sector in New Zealand is dynamic. FPG enjoys working with the sector – it’s demanding and also very rewarding when goals are met.
As announced by Z Energy’s (Z) GM of Retail Andy Baird in May this year, Z has embarked on its Refresh programme of ~50 sites. Their goal? To be the ‘destination between destinations’. “We’re looking to sell and serve to our customers who will consume what they have bought within ten minutes. We want to be the first choice of coffee for people on the run.”
Z has chosen to work with FPG as its prime contractor for many of the refreshed sites. As with all customers, FPG starts with understanding the business goals, the opportunities and pain points, together with customer and operational needs. FPG CEO Robert Darroch observes, “While FPG works with multiple customers in this sector, no two customers are exactly alike.”
For Z, our story starts with taking initial design concepts and applying our 30+ years’ experience and expertise to transform them to solutions that work in the real world. Site layouts are prepared for each site with architects Studio26 and Design Group Stapleton Elliott preparing detailed plans required for building consent. A range of equipment brands are specified including FPG temperature controlled food display cabinets.
FPG implements a modular joinery system with stations pre-built with service feeds to support quick and relatively easy installation. It’s a smart business model and thanks to our builders Alexander Construction and Cassidy Construction, the build only takes 2 weeks to refresh most sites. Z Relationship Manager Design & Build, Anna Lowe, says “These are smart builds. We’re aiming for quick transformations, and it’s like a big Lego set that we can take pieces from and keep building on in future.”
The first site to be renovated was Z Waiouru in November 2021. The team is currently delivering site 12 – Z Hautapu.
Robert congratulates everyone involved in the project. “Together with our build partners, we have delivered despite the impact of covid and other challenges to contend with. I’m delighted with the quality of the work and pleased to hear positive business results are being realised.”




Photos credit: Jessica Chloe Gernat www.jessicachloe.com