Circle K is a leading player in fuel and retail globally, with over 130,000 employees and 16,000 locations. In Europe, the company has 24,000 employees responsible for 2,700 stations. In addition to storing and distributing fuel for sale at its own stations, the company is also a wholesaler for fuel to other chains and industrial customers. Circle K has its own fuel logistics infrastructure with 16 terminals across 6 countries in Europe.
To ensure profitability and competitiveness in a market with uncertain prospects, Circle K decided in 2017 to consolidate a significant amount of the tasks associated with storing fuel in Europe into one location without harm to ongoing operations. Circle K wanted external assistance to plan and implement this demanding transformation process, as well as to explore new technological solutions that could support the change process and help realize the potential.
Through a comprehensive project, Knowit has led efforts to map and standardize existing tasks, designed a new operating model, piloted and tested new technology for operators, as well as supported the line organization in implementation and transformational work across locations in Europe. The realization of the planned schedule has been made shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders and the teams in Circle K and has resulted in visible business benefits. As an integral part of the project deliverables, support has also been provided for the establishment of a new line organization, including training and coaching to operationalize the new operating model.
A minimum Viable Product is in place and large parts of the tasks previously carried out across European terminals are now performed in a more unified and standardized manner from one location at the Terminal Operations Center in Riga, Latvia. This creates a more robust 24/7 operation, that is scalable. The project, which is still ongoing, is of strategic importance to the company and constitutes a major change in the operating model for storage and distribution of fuel in Europe. By this transformation, Circle K wants to be more capable to meet future changes in the market.
