?A hundredth anniversary is a major event to celebrate in a company. It translates concepts of sustainability, vision and continuous fulfilment and improvement,? declared Sheri Updike, the chief executive officer of Shell Mauritius Ltd, at the centenary celebration of the company. In 1905, Shell was indeed the first international oil company to set up business on the island in partnership with Blyth.

Since the opening of its first filling station in 1956 at Immigration Square in Port-Louis, the supplier of automotive fuels and lubricants, as well as liquefied petroleum gas, has indeed found its feet on the market. ?Over the past 100 years, we have made major investments in the country with an average annual investment of Rs 55 million since incorporation and nearly the same average annual amount in income tax and VAT.? Today, the multinational company has some 42 filling stations throughout the island.

Sheri Updike insists that Shell Mauritius has always striven to ?maintain close ties with Mauritian life by continuously supporting the economic and social development of the country through a variety of actions and activities.? Moreover, today, 25% of the company?s shares ? it is quoted on the Mauritian Stock Exchange ? are owned by the Mauritian public.

The company doesn?t content itself with its already great success; it intends to open two new filling stations as well as two Liquefied Petroleum Gas supplying spots soon. A sign that Shell Mauritius has confidence in the future.

As part of the 100th anniversary celebration, the company will sponsor a day at the races with the Shell Centenary Cup. In June, Shell Mauritius will also sponsor the first Shell Centenary Cup as part of the MFA football championship. These are just a few of the exciting events ahead!

Why the ?Shell? name and logo?

Actually, this goes back to the very start of the business. When Marcus Samuel opened his small shop in London, he was selling seashells to Victorian natural history enthusiasts. It was his son?s idea to start exporting oil for lamps and cooking to the Far East after a visit on the Caspian Sea coast. This is how he commissioned the first special oil tanker in 1892. The Shell Group of companies finally decided to join Royal Dutch to incorporate their operations worldwide?. That was the beginning of a success story !