TOTAL South Africa Chronology
December 11, 1954 - The company, TOTAL Oil Products (Pty) Ltd, is registered as a private company in Pretoria.
December 14, 1954 - Historic inaugural Board meeting held.
December 1955 - Lourenco Marques terminal and first Isando terminal completed; first seven service stations in Johannesburg, three in Pretoria, and one each in Roodepoort and Benoni completed.
January 1956 - Agreement signed in Mozambique with local company SONAP to market and distribute TOTAL products in that part of Africa.
March 1956 - First gallon of TOTAL petrol, from a TOTAL service station, sold.
September 1957 - First TOTAL sponsored TOTAL-Lourenco Marques Rally.
December 1957 - Durban terminal (today known as Island View Terminal) completed.
April 3, 1958 - TOTAL signed first contract with National Parks Board.
Other noteworthy activities in 1958 could be summarised as follows:
- First free carrier bags were introduced in the Kruger National Park.
- Former TOTAL-Lourenco Marques Rally became an international event of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, now named "TOTAL Rally".
- The first large advertising campaign was launched with road safety as the theme, under the name "TOTAL safety check".
- TOTAL calendars became available for the first time with dealers' names overprinted, at a cost of 1/- per calendar.
- The prestige Illovo Service Station, was opened in Johannesburg.
February 1960
- New Cape Town ocean terminal completed; and a month later the Cape branch office opened.
1964
- Introduction of new oil - TOTAL Altigrade.
- Formation of the Study team in Head Office, with the task to undertake a comprehensive study of information systems for the purpose of improving the overall efficiency of the company. Mr. C.I. Smuts was appointed as the Study manager.
1965
- Launch of a very successful advertising campaign, with the theme "Discover your country".
- Opening of our own blending plant at the Durban terminal.
1967
- In terms of an agreement with the government, TOTAL took part in the construction of the first national crude oil refinery at Sasolburg. A new subsidiary was formed for that purpose, TOTAL Refining South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (TORSA), as a participant in the refinery.
- In conformity with group's policy, the company changes the name to TOTAL South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
- Contract for supply of fuel was awarded to TOTAL for the Orange River Development project.
- A concession was granted to the exploration consortium consisting of TOTAL, Shell, BP and Mobil for off-shore oil exploration. TOTAL represented in the consortium by a new formed subsidiary, TOTAL Exploration South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (TESA).
- At the year-end an announcement was made to the effect that that was the first year the company had made a profit.
1968
- TOTAL starts marketing in South West Africa.
- Launch of "Galoob" advertising campaign.
1969
- Volkskas Limited obtains an interest of 14,3% in TOTAL South Africa, with the right to increase its participation.
1970
- TOTAL commences marketing of liquified petroleum gas (LPG).
- Off-shore drilling on the first well commences at a location approximately 96 kilometres from Plettenburg Bay.
1971
- The NATREF refinery, in which TOTAL has a 30% interest, comes on stream.
- TOTAL achieves a fully integrated stage of development, by being involved in exploration, refining, storage, distribution and marketing of a comprehensive range of petroleum products to all categories of trade.
1972
- TOTAL, in conjunction with Mobil and Caltex, opens a lubricating oil refinery in Durban to manufacture base oils. The company operating the refinery is known as S.A. Oil Refining (Pty) Ltd. (SAFOR).
- Union Corporation and U.C. Investments obtain an interest of 11,11% in TOTAL, whilst Volkskas increases its shareholding to 18,06%.
1973
- Old Mutual secures a 5% interest in TOTAL South Africa, bringing South African shareholding in TOTAL to 34,17%.
- Launch of GTS oil.
1975
- A partnership is formed by TESA, Usutu Koolmyne Bpk. and BP, for the development of the Ermelo coal deposit in the Transvaal.
- The first TOTAL Trans-Kalahari Road Race.
1976
- TOTAL's Head Office moves into the new building, Total House, in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
1977
- The formation of TOTAL South West Africa, TOTAL Swaziland and TOTAL Transkei as subsidiary companies in neighbouring territories, to keep pace with developments in those areas.
1978
- C.F.P. purchases the last shares held by Union Corporation and U.C. Investments in TOTAL South Africa, in terms of the provisions of the shareholders agreement.
- The first export of coal from Ermelo Mines.
1980
- The Rembrandt Group becomes a shareholder in TOTAL South Africa
1983
- Total helps to establish a Drought Relief Fund in co-operation with the South African Agricultural Union
1985
- Total, The Paris Chamber of Commerce, the Urban Foundation, NAFCOC and the BMF establish the Joint Management and Development Programme
1986
- Total sponsors the World FIVA Rally (Southern Hemisphere) to commemorate the centenary of the motorcar
1987
- Total celebrates 30 years of motorsport sponsorship with the Total Commemorative Rally
1992
- Total plays host to the Southern African leg of the Total Paris Sirte Le Cap Marathon Rally
- Launch of Total Quartz range of lubricant
1994
- Petroport Panorama opened, a first for South Africa
1999
- Opening of Total's own grease plant
- Total relocates to new Rosebank office
|
