Alexela Oil eyes Grekond gas stations

The Grekond chain of gas stations, operated under the Hydro Texaco trademark, may be acquired by Alexela Oil, daily Eesti Paevaleht reports.

"I'll meet with representatives of Grekond and expect to hear their offer," Alexela Oil managing director Heiti Haal said. "We are interested, but everything depends on the price."

Haal declined to name a ceiling for the price of the deal.

Artur Praun, retail chief of Neste's Estonian operation, said Neste hasn't considered the Grekond question nor has it received an offer to buy the chain.

"At the same time, I can't conclusively rule anything out or claim that we aren't interested at all," he added.

Andres Kivistik, manager of Hydro Texaco Eesti Andres Kivistik told the paper that Grekond may operate without a trademark until a final decision is made. "As far as I know, Grekond is in talks over selling or leasing the chain," Kivistik said.

Grekond owns filling stations in Tallinn, Parnu, Joelahtme, Valga, Vandra, Parsti and Narva-Joesuu.

The company so far used the Hydro Texaco trademark, but its license with Hydro Texaco Eesti ran out May 21.

Hydro Texaco, which operates unmanned gas stations under the Uno X trademark in Estonia, wants to own the trademark itself in future.