HOUSTON -- Shell Oil Products US and Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with the National Urban League, one of the nation's oldest and largest African-American community-based organizations, has announced a collaborative effort to increase minority opportunities in the Shell retail network. This gives Shell and Motiva access to the National Urban League's large network of qualified minority candidates who are seeking opportunities in the retail fuels industry.
Shell and Motiva said they believe that attracting and developing qualified people from various [image-nocss] backgrounds and experiences will greatly enhance the companies' ability to form positive relationships and connections with diverse cultures and markets, and grow the Shell-branded business.
We are excited about this opportunity to boost minority representation within our network, said Larry Burch, vice president of retail sales and operations for Shell and Motiva. By working with an organization such as the National Urban League, we expect to build upon our success with minority retailers, continue to cultivate interest in the Shell-branded network and work with qualified candidates.
There are more than 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than two million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research. It is anticipated that the National Urban League will serve as a clearinghouse and resource for Shell and Motiva in identifying and screening potential candidates nationwide.
We are very pleased with this partnership with Shell and Motiva and we are confident that it will create awareness and interest among minority candidates to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities with the Shell brand, said Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League.
In 2003, Shell and Motiva took the opportunity to enhance the diversity of its retail network by introducing a new class of trade with the creation of Multiple Site Operators (MSO). Shell and Motiva said they aggressively recruited a diverse set of candidates through the help of local business and minority organizations. As of July 2006, minority operators for both companies represented 30% of the overall sales volume sold through this class of trade, according to the companies.
Through this collaboration with the National Urban League, Shell and Motiva hope to advance their existing efforts and progress to achieve more diversity in the retail network.
Houston-based Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Co., has a network of approximately 6,000 branded gas stations in the western United States. Motiva refines and markets branded products through approximately 7,900 Shell-branded stations in the eastern and southern United States. Shell Oil Co. is a 50% owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining Inc.
The National Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the nonpartisan efforts of its more than 100 local affiliates.
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