Solo Oil was an Australian petroleum distributor that operated from 1974 until 1989 when taken over by Ampol.

Solo Oil
IndustryPetroleum
Founded1974
FounderDavid Golberger
David Wieland
Defunct1989
Headquarters,
Australia
Number of locations
200+ (1989)

History

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Solo Oil was founded in 1974 by David Goldberger and David Wieland.[1][2] Goldberg negotiated an agreement with Mobil Australia, for the supply of petroleum at a fixed rate, following the increase in world fuel prices, this discount increased from six cents to 12.5 cents per gallon.[3] In July 1975, it joined forces with the Australian Council of Trade Unions to sell discounted fuel to independent operators in Melbourne.[4][5][6] In April 1977 it commenced operations in Sydney.[7]

In 1989 the business was sold to Ampol by which time it was the largest independent fuel retailer and distributor with over 200 service stations.[8][9] Goldberger and Wieland were subject to a ten year non-compete clause however this was ruled void by the Trade Practices Commission after Ampol merged with Caltex, allowing them to establish Liberty Oil in 1995.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Oil twins head back into the big league". Australian Financial Review. 11 November 1996. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Petrol Discounters prepare for War". The Bulletin. 097 (4957). John Haynes and J.F. Archibald: 61. 17 May 1975. ISSN 0007-4039.
  3. ^ "ACTU-Solo case shows up oil super-profits". Tribune. No. 1922. New South Wales, Australia. 8 October 1975. p. 7. Retrieved 14 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ ACTU to sell petrol at 16c discount Canberra Times 23 July 1975 page 1
  5. ^ The good oil - at 16 cents off The Age 23 September 1975 page 3
  6. ^ "About Us". Liberty Oil Convenience. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  7. ^ Going it Solo Sydney Morning Herald 31 March 1977 page 6
  8. ^ "Our History". Ampol. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Liberty's Davids to do a deal with Goliath". Australian Financial Review. 20 July 2001. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022.