Cebu-based Top Line Business Development Corp. (Topline) is pursuing robust expansion on its core business in the fuel industry, primarily to meet the growing needs of retail as well as commercial end-users in its main market in the Visayas.

According to Topline Chairman Erik Lim, who is also the company’s President and CEO, at least seven of its Light Fuels-branded service stations and two Light Fuels Express stations are currently being constructed in their targeted portfolio buildup of 10 fuel service facilities.

“We are primed for growth and expansion in the Visayas region by serving the underserved segments of the market,” Lim stressed, adding that the main economic expansion trajectory that they will be matching would be “Cebu’s rapid growth and development.”

In particular, he noted that the Light Fuels Express stations “are meant to serve the motorcycle riders and other lighter vehicles which occupy a large segment of vehicle type usage in Metro Cebu.”

For its Light Fuels service stations, at least two are targeted for commercial operations in Metro Cebu this August; and that would be a follow-through to the first service station that the company had opened to customers in February last year.

Lim stated that this year, “we are bolstering our efforts to synergize our operations through vertical integration by expanding in retail and commercial fuel trading while reinforcing our depot operations to meet the growing market demand in Cebu.”

The company traced initial business ascend from leasing and real estate business, but it embraced diversification into the oil industry in 2017.

From that time on, Topline emphasized that it was able to etch its mark as a valuable player in the distribution of liquid fuels in Cebu province and Metro Cebu – primarily for diesel products, of which sales had briskly expanded by 53% on compounded growth annually within 2017-2023 timeframe.

The company’s broadening foothold in the fuels sector correspondingly manifested in the 33% hike in gross revenues it logged last year to P2.8 billion from P2.1 billion in 2022.

In this year’s first quarter, the company similarly reported 9% revenue escalation versus the comparative three-month period a year ago.

Lim conveyed that “the company’s bullish growth is supported by resilient and strong fuel demand in Cebu Province and Metro Cebu where we operate. But fundamentally, this growth is attributed to the dedication of our hardworking and talented team who always seek to provide top-of-the-line service for our industry and retail customers.”

Topline’s business focus spreads across commercial trading of fuels, depot operations, and retail of oil products under its ‘Light Fuels’ brand; and it remains poised on “strengthening market footprint in the Visayas region through its fuel operations.”