OMV buys Czech, Slovak retail chains

Austria's OMV has bought BP's service station network in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, OMV said October 12. The network consists of 14 outlets in the Czech Republic and just one in Slovakia. The addition of these outlets gives OMV a total 97 sites in the Czech Republic and 50 in Slovakia, with resulting market shares in the two countries of 9% and 17%, respectively. The deal is effective Dec 1, 1998, OMV said, adding that financial details of the transaction will remain confidential.