DCC continues acquisitions spree with Danish forecourts deal

DCC, the fuel-to-electronics conglomerate, is to pay 300 million kroner (€40 million) for a Danish commercial, aviation and retail fuels business previously owned by Shell.

The business is being offloaded by Aliementation Couche-Tard, the business that bought Topaz from Denis O’Brien, in order to satisy competition concerns surrounding Couche-Tard’s acquisition of Shell’s Danish downstream interests.

The business being bought by DCC comprises Shell’s Danish commercial and aviation supply division, as well as 139 petrol stations, including 95 manned and 44 unmanned sites.

It also includes contracts to supply 66 dealers, while DCC has agreed to operate the network under the Shell brand. The business will be merged with DCC’s existing oil distribution business in Denmark.

"This acquisition will significantly strengthen our business in Denmark, as well as further develop our presence in the retail market for transport fuels, following our previous acquisitions in the European retail petrol station market in Sweden and France," said Tommy Breen, DCC's chief executive.

DCC, which is Dublin headquartered and London listed, has been on an acquisitions spree in recent years. Last year it paid Shell about €450 million for French liquid fuels supplier Butagaz, while it has also bought several unmanned fuel networks across Europe.