Vivo Energy, distributors of markets Shell-branded products, and Bosch, a German leading engineering and automotive company, have signed an agreement to expand the provision of services to their customers.

Through the partnership, Vivo Energy and Bosch will bring together their expertise in the areas of automotive spare parts and services, and retail distribution of oil products.

A statement in Accra and signed by Shirley Tony Kum, the Corporate Communications Manager, Vivo Energy said the company operates more than 1,430 Shell branded service stations across Africa and aimed to be the most respected energy company in Africa.

It said the automotive aftermarket division of Bosch provides 16,500 Bosch service partners and countless number of independent workshops in 150 countries with a complete range of diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts.

The statement said the automotive aftermarket division of Bosch Middle East and Africa would distribute commodities such as batteries, filters, wiper blades and spark plugs, and quick service test equipment including air conditioning and battery tester and chargers to selected Shell service stations operated by Vivo Energy.

“In addition, the German automotive aftermarket supplier will market the Bosch Car Service or Express Car Service concepts at selected Shell service stations,” it added. It said through the Bosch automotive aftermarket, local distributors, would be rolled out, by the end of 2014, on selected sites where there is sufficient market demand in all the countries where Vivo Energy operates a retail network.

Mr David Mureithi, Executive Vice President Supply & Marketing at Vivo Energy, said the partnership confirmed Vivo Energy’s objective to continuously bring innovative solutions to the growing number of customers.

He expressed the hope that, together with Bosch, both companies would remain at the forefront and offer customers’ world-class automotive services and spare parts at Shell service stations.

Mr Andreas Bodemer, Vice President of Bosch Middle East and Africa said as part of their efforts to reach the maximum of car drivers in the region with their excellent services, the company is expanding its operation channels via important strategic partnerships.

“We are delighted to sign an agreement with such a professional partner as Vivo Energy which will allow us both to enjoy a wider presence in various fast growing markets,” he added.

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Middle East and Africa is one of the largest suppliers of diagnostics equipment, car control units, diesel systems, spark plugs, batteries, rotating machines and wipers in the region and is expanding its product range rapidly into the braking business.