By Yvette Wakelin
Tristin Walker and Logan Fisher will soon find themselves competing with some of the world's biggest companies - that is, if their plans reach the pump.
The alternative fuel developers and Te Puna friends have told the Bay of Plenty Times they have plans to manufacture the fuel, made from recycled vegetable oil, and make it available to Bay people.
Mr Walker, a 25-year-old engineer, said the pair, who together run the company Bio-Fuel Direct, were currently looking into setting up their own fuel station in the city.
Just this week they have met with a local fuel company to seek guidance about how best to achieve their dream.
"If all goes to plan, it won't be long before we have our own place. A station like all the others, where you drive in, buy the fuel and drive out," he said.
The difference is the fuel station will only sell Bio-Fuel Direct product, made from vegetable oil and produced on their Te Puna property.
Their vision to expand comes less than one month after the men began selling the fuel - one they say burns cleaner and runs smoother.
Despite hurried plans to change the way they operate, Mr Walker said the demand called for it.
"It's just non-stop. We are working hard-out. We are getting dozens of phone calls from people interested in the fuel at all different times of the day and night," he said.
In the past few weeks demand had increased with the pair making and selling up to 8000 litres a week, of which 4000 litres has been pre-sold.
"All types of people are interested in the fuel, we have truckies and people in the fishing industry."
The demand for the product also made daily life hectic and commanded very long days - which they were just managing to cover on their own.
But the founders of the fast-growing company want others to have ready access to their product, something Mr Walker and 26-year-old Mr Fisher hope to achieve with the establishment of their own Bio-Fuel Direct station.
"It's going to take a lot, that's for sure. A lot of work and a lot of time," he said.
That did not deter the pair, who sell the product for 99c a litre - nearly 25 per cent cheaper than standard diesel.
"We are currently looking into the legal side of setting up a station and then it will be a matter of the business projections.
"We truly want to do everything we can to expand and keep up with the demand," he said.
Mr Walker said reaching their goal depended on a healthy cash injection.
"Setting up a fuel station is not cheap, it's an expensive dream. It is all going to cost us a lot of money ... to tell you the truth we don't have any idea where that will come from."
While having a pocket-load of cash would no doubt put a smile on the pair's faces, they are not looking for investors.
"We have had plenty of interest. Several people want to buy into the company," he said.
"Lots of people have been urging us to sell shares but at the moment we want to try and make it on our own."
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