With 35 sites across regional Victoria, Vantage Fuels trading as Bowser Bean understands that running a modern service station is about more than just dispensing fuel. For Managing Director, Haydn Tierney, who oversees upgrades and operational planning across the network, keeping sites current involves a holistic approach that combines clean, efficient forecourts with a strong in-store offering.
Over the past six years, Bowser Beanhas heavily invested in modernising its network. A key part of that journey has been rolling out new dispensers from Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS), helping the business maintain high standards across both the customer experience and operational performance.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” says Haydn. “Almost all of our managed sites have now been through the upgrade process. It’s been a significant investment, but it’s helped us bring consistency and quality across the board.”
Bringing Consistency to a Growing Network
When considering fuel equipment upgrades, Haydn and the team at Bowser Bean were looking for products that delivered not only reliability but also strong support, good design, and long-term value.
“DFS came to market with a very attractive offer,” Haydn explains. “Their Wayne dispensers have proven to be dependable, well designed, and backed by responsive service.”
As the rollout of upgrades continued, DFS stood out not just for its hardware but also for the strength of its local support team. The ability to get timely, relevant advice and quick answers when needed made it easier for the Bowser Bean team to plan, order, and install new equipment across a wide geographic area.
“We’ve had a great experience with the team at DFS,” Haydn shares. “They’re helpful, responsive, and you get the information you need quickly. That’s a big help when you’re managing multiple sites.”
Local Stock Makes All the Difference
One of the operational benefits that stood out was DFS’s ability to hold local stock. In an industry where long lead times are common, having access to equipment on hand offered a level of flexibility not often available.
“They carry stock, which means we’re not having to order pumps a year in advance,” Haydn says. “We don’t need to hold equipment ourselves, and we’re not worrying about delays. That flexibility has been a huge benefit for us.”
Installation is coordinated with local contractors based on geography, which Haydn says has worked well in combination with DFS’s structured and communicative approach.
Seamless Integration with POS Systems
Across its network, Bowser Bean uses a combination of POS systems. Hardware compatibility is always a key consideration, and Haydn notes that the DFS Wayne dispensers integrated seamlessly with both.
“We’ve had no trouble integrating with our POS platforms. That makes the entire upgrade process smoother and ensures everything functions as it should from day one.”
This ease of integration helped the company maintain consistency across sites, especially as various POS systems were already in place across different store formats.
As part of a recent site upgrade at Long Gully, Bowser Bean installed a new POS setup supported by the DFS Fusion automation server. The process was seamless, with Fusion enabling better coordination between dispensers, POS, and site systems.
Enhancing the Customer and Staff Experience
For Bowser Bean, it’s not just about the technology; it’s about how it impacts both the customer and staff experience. The Wayne dispensers have proven easy for staff to use and maintain, and Haydn says that simplicity leads to better outcomes for customers.
“When equipment is easy to use and service, it means less downtime, and that’s better for everyone. You don’t hear complaints from staff or managers, and customers just want things to work.”
In a competitive retail environment where speed and convenience are key, ensuring the fuel equipment is reliable and user-friendly is crucial.
A Whole-Site Approach to Retail
Haydn is a firm believer in viewing the entire service station as a unified retail space. Even if a customer only comes in for coffee, the quality of the forecourt influences their overall impression.
“All the elements have to work together,” he says. “Fuel, coffee, snacks, they’re all part of the experience. If something’s out of step, the whole site suffers.”
The company’s site upgrade program, has been a consistent push over eight years to bring every managed site up to standard. According to Haydn, the results have been well worth the effort.
“It’s a bit like painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” he laughs. “Once you get to the end, it’s time to start again. But we’re in a great place now with how our sites look and perform.”
Looking Ahead
While Bowser Bean continues to explore expansion opportunities, Haydn says the focus remains on quality over quantity. Operational efficiency, and brand alignment are all top priorities when considering new locations.
“We’ve made some strategic investments recently that have helped with overall efficiency. We’re not in a rush to expand, we’re focused on doing things well.”
DFS will continue to play a key role in that strategy, with their reliable dispensers, strong support, and practical approach to supply and servicing.
“They’ve been a great partner throughout this process,” Haydn says. “From quoting to product advice to after-sales support, it’s all been excellent. That kind of partnership is important when you’re running a network of this size.”
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