HEB Debuting Additech ‘Fuel System Tune-up’ at Rest of Fuel Centers

H.E. Butt Grocery Co. is introducing a “tune-up at the pump” program from Additech, an outsourced operator of at-the-pump interactive merchandising systems, to the rest of the Texas grocer’s Fuel Centers, bringing the total number of HEB locations to feature the solution to 180 from the current 64.

“This expansion to the remainder of HEB’s fuel centers is especially important to Additech because it marks the first rollout of our new integrated Dresser Wayne Ovation/Additech fuel additive dispenser,” noted Andrew Austin, CEO of Houston-based Additech, adding that both Dresser Wayne, an Austin, Texas-based global provider of fuel dispensers and technology, and the HEB fuels team were “instrumental in bringing this solution to market.”

“We’ve been working with Additech for three years, and our mutual desire was to have an integrated, seamless fuel dispenser/Additech solution that could be rolled out to the remainder of our fuel centers,” said George Presses, director of petroleum marketing at San Antonio-based HEB. “Together Dresser Wayne and Additech delivered a solution that exceeded our expectations and improved the fueling experience for our customers.”

Additech’s newest fuel additive dispenser is built into Dresser Wayne Ovation fuel dispensers to offer consumers fuel additives mixed with their gasoline as they pump. The installations will occur during the last quarter of 2009, with completion scheduled by January 2010.

In other Additech news, the vendor and Gas Station TV (GSTV) will team up to provide Gas Station TV’s standard programming to qualifying retailers that install an Additech system, PG sister publication Convenience Store News reported. GSTV programming features ESPN sports, NBC News and Entertainment segments, local weather from AccuWeather and informative advertising.

"Our turnkey merchandising systems enhance the fueling experience for consumers, while simultaneously generating an additional income stream for retailers, with no investment or operating headaches” said Additech’s Austin.

“Marketers are always looking for effective ways to reach consumers at locations where they can capture their attention,” added David Leider, CEO of Oak Park, Mich.-based GSTV. “Advertising at the gas pump fits that description perfectly. It engages consumers while they fill up, which makes the fuel island an ideal location for news and advertising. The synergies between our two companies create an excellent opportunity for gas retailers to further engage and create repeat, loyal customers.”