)
Regional fuel distributor Lowes Petroleum has acquired Tamworth-based Engineering Mining and Petroleum (EMP), folding the specialist engineering firm into its existing services division as it targets growing demand for fuel infrastructure work across regional Australia.
EMP, which has operated since 2007, specialises in underground fuel system replacements, site re-tanking, fuel management system installations, tanker maintenance and compliance upgrades.
The business will be integrated into Lowes' engineering arm, Lennon Engineering and Construction, which already has branches in Brisbane, Cairns and Bendigo.
Lowes Petroleum CEO Cameron White says the acquisition reflects the company’s long-term confidence in regional Australia, positioning the business to capture growing demand for fuel infrastructure and engineering services while continuing to invest in local capability.
“Regional Australia is critical to a strong economy, particularly across freight, agriculture, mining and transport,” says White.
“We’ve been investing in capabilities that allow us to offer end-to-end services, from fuel supply through to construction and ongoing maintenance. EMP fits naturally into that.
“As infrastructure demand continues to grow, particularly across agriculture, transport and energy networks, customers are increasingly looking for providers with scale, reliability and deep regional capability.”
Lowes Petroleum sees the acquisition positioning its business for future growth as investment accelerates across fuel infrastructure in the wake of the latest Middle East oil shock.
“At a time when global supply chains and offshore manufacturing markets remain volatile, Lowes Petroleum sees long-term value in investing in Australian capability and regional expertise,” says White.
“Businesses like EMP play an important role in keeping critical infrastructure skills, technical services and specialised maintenance capability in Australia, particularly across regional communities supporting numerous industries.
“This acquisition is about strengthening local delivery capability, supporting regional employment and ensuring customers continue to have access to experienced Australian-based teams that understand the operational demands of regional industries."
White adds that as demand for fuel infrastructure and maintenance services continues to grow, he sees a "real need to invest in the next generation of skilled regional workers".
“Building Australian capability is not just about infrastructure, it’s about creating employment, supporting apprenticeships, technical training and long-term career opportunities in regional communities," he says.
“We see strong value in retaining practical engineering and field service expertise locally, particularly in industries that are critical to Australia’s freight, mining, agriculture and energy supply chains.”
Lowes Petroleum operates as a joint venture with BP Australia, distributing fuel across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
Lennon Engineering and EMP had already been collaborating on fuel infrastructure projects before the deal was struck, with the acquisition formalising a relationship that had been building over recent years.
The combined operation is expected to offer customers a single partner across the full fuel infrastructure lifecycle, from design and construction through to maintenance and compliance, with Pope pointing to faster project delivery and reduced downtime as immediate benefits.
Lennon Engineering and Construction's Chris Pope says EMP's team and regional footprint will strengthen the division's delivery capability across the eastern seaboard.
“EMP has a strong regional footprint and a very practical, hands-on team,” says Pope.
“We’re not looking to overcomplicate it. The focus is to keep delivering for their customers while giving the team access to a larger pipeline of work and resources.
“Customers will benefit from faster project delivery, reduced downtime and access to a single, trusted partner across the full lifecycle of their fuel infrastructure."
Pope sees the strong demand holding up across commercial fuel systems, transport infrastructure, mining support services and broader energy transition projects.
"Over time, it means we can take on more complex projects and support customers across a wider geographic area without losing that regional responsiveness,” he says.
The deal adds Tamworth to Lennon Engineering's existing network of branches, extending the division's reach deeper into regional NSW and positioning Lowes to capture infrastructure work tied to the agricultural and mining activity concentrated in the state's north-west.
The price paid for EMP has not been disclosed.
)
