The Puma cat has sprung to life! Look around you. Already, the vibrant green, red with White Mountain lion insignia branding scattered around town, has added a lively energy to former BP retail sites in the capital.

And making great strides as a dominant newcomer to the Namibian petroleum scene, Puma Energy with its N$15-million refurbish and re-brand budget for the 30 Puma service stations country wide - is on target for the completion date set in August this year.

With continuous work in progress of de-branding, painting, decorating and preparing the sites for the Puma make-over, this unfolding step by step process, is taking place with little interference to the facility operations and the customer service.

So far seven service stations have been completed with the branding paraphernalia prominently displayed on the forecourt, buildings and facades showcasing the dynamic Puma Energy branding image. Six of these sites are in the capital, and one â€" a brand new service station built and completed is situated in Arandis.

(MD Puma Energy), Maregesi Manyama better known as "Ben" amongst business circles was like a 'cat who had just sipped a bowl of cream' when New Era's motoring editor met him this week. His charming enthusiasm which he displayed about his new Puma brand was infectious â€" and clearly his pride and satisfaction with the current developments and outcome of the unfolding Puma scenario taking place in the country was one of genuine achievement.

"We are moving at the speed of Puma" he said light heartedly, whilst driving the point home that there is a focussed approach to how Puma serves its customers compared to its predecessor BP. And that the combination of brilliant sites, energised staff, focussed dealers, new products and a refreshing vision sweeping Namibia, is motivating and exciting for all parties concerned.

"The company has made remarkable progress and great strides in just four months," he said. "And people are greatly impressed by the way the project is being handled, and we are getting positive feedback daily.

"But our initial commitment to becoming the most recognised supplier of fuel products in Namibia, goes way beyond just acquiring BP's business or developing a new brand identity in the country - literally overnight.

"The impression we make now is lasting, and will translate into keeping our existing customers satisfied whilst encouraging more people to use our products and services in the future, ," he added, saying they will continue to offer Castrol and BP branded lubricants to the customer who has relied on these products in the past.

Formerly the MD of BP Namibia, Manyama who boasts 16 years in the petroleum sector, is a man who has looked at this picture well and truly from both sides and is well oiled in a game he knows how to play with precision. He took the opportunity to point out that Puma's arrival marks the first time in 23 years that a new international oil brand has entered the Namibian market which is seen as an incredible feat.

Recounting the process of Puma's acquisition of Namibian BP assets that began in February 2010, Manyama explained that since taking over operations in March of this year, Puma has committed itself to a strenuous programme of refurbishing facilities, and that no jobs have been lost in the process, only job opportunities created.

Now, with seven of the flagship Puma Energy filling stations setting the pace for the rest of the country, work has already begun at selected sites at the coast and the north, with plans to expand the Walvis Bay depot shortly.

Materials, signage and branding measured and ordered to the specific dimensions of each site is being brought in through suppliers in South Africa, who are responsible for the final product of entire Puma re-branding materials, with work done by local companies.

Part of the upgrading process is to replace poor functioning equipment such as fuel pumps on the various sites, which will run into millions of dollars already set aside in the budget. Architect plans are also on the table to entirely rebuild a prominent Puma filling site in Klein Windhoek as part of the process to become one of the most cutting edge sites in town.

Puma bought out BP in Namibia acquiring assets worth about N$3,2 billion last year.

In Namibia, BP has 30 service stations across the country, nine with Express Shops, and five depots. Eleven of the stations are in Windhoek, with the rest covering the country's main entry and exit points. All of this will be re-branded with the Puma logo by the end of August this Year.

With its headquartered in Switzerland, Puma Energy operates in 25 countries worldwide. And whilst being a 'new kid on the block' in Namibia, Puma Energy has extensive expertise in sourcing and supplying a wide range of products such as fuel and lubricants, and are committed to fulfilling their customer requirements by providing excellent service with lasting business relationships.