UNG.L Regulatory News (UNG)

17 November, 2014

AIM: UNG

Universe Group plc

("Universe" or "the Group")

Major contract expansion

with Motor Fuel Group, UK's second largest independent petrol retailer

Universe (AIM: UNG.L), a leading developer and supplier of point of sale, payment and on-line loyalty systems, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a major roll-out of its a new point of sale ('POS'), back office ('BOS') systems and Gemini Payment Service ('GPS') across 228 sites for Motor Fuel Group ('MFG'), the UK's second largest independent petrol retailer.

The roll-out represents a significant deepening of Universe's relationship with MFG, an existing customer and a second major customer for the Group's new and enhanced GPS. The roll-out project is part of a major contract expansion with MFG, which includes ongoing maintenance and technology support. 

The technology roll-out was completed by Universe subsidiary, HTEC and encompassed the 228 sites which MFG acquired following its recent purchase of the UK petrol forecourt estate of Murco Petroleum. These forecourts have almost quadrupled the total size of MFG's forecourt estate and operate under the Murco brand. 

HTEC has provided MFG with a complete solution which includes HTEC's latest versions of its POS and BOS supported by its own Daily Reconciliation System ('DRS'). These three components together control all the retail processing, control and re-ordering requirements of MFG and integrate back into MFG's primary accounting systems. The solution also provides a complete management system as well as an on-line portal created to manage MFG's franchise model.

This rich functionality is complemented by GPS, which processes in real-time all payments received from customers and due to MFG whether by debit, credit or fuel cards and operates to the highest PCI DSS Tier 1 standards.

Jeremy Clarke, Managing Director of Motor Fuel Group, said:

"Universe is a key partner for us as we continue to expand our estate. The Group's technology underpins the operations of our network of stations and this new roll-out across these 228 new sites was a major undertaking executed in a short-time frame with impressive professionalism. Universe's new and enhanced technology provides us with a comprehensive solution and we look forward to their continuing support as we further develop the MFG business."

Jeremy Lewis, CEO of Universe Group, said:

"This is a major contract expansion with MFG, reflecting the significant increase in their petrol forecourt estate, which has now almost quadrupled. The smooth integration of the additional sites acquired by MFG onto our platform was very pleasing. MFG's decision to adopt our new and enhanced product suites is another encouraging endorsement of the quality of our offering and our ability to execute complex projects well. "

For further information:

About Universe Group plc:

Universe provides some of the world's leading retailers, particularly in the petrol forecourt and convenience store markets, with point of sale, payment and loyalty solutions. The Group's solutions are based on its own proprietary software and are offered out of the Cloud on software as a service model with its data centres processing in excess of 1.5 billion transactions every year. For further information, see www.universeplc.com.

About Motor Fuel Group:

With some 288 stations situated throughout the UK operating under the BP, Jet and Murco brands, top 50 Indie forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group continues to offer its customers premium fuel brands coupled with an attractive, competitive and expanding forecourt shop offer. For further information, see www.motorfuelgroup.com