Propenor, a leading company in Cobo Tankers and Services Ltd, the British subsidiary of Cobo Group, an international leader in the manufacturing, repair and sale of tankers, has built a reputation for service quality and operational reliability in the liquid fuel distribution sector. To maintain its leadership and continue exceeding customer expectations, Propenor set out to optimise its delivery model and strengthen customer relationships through innovation
The challenge
Like many distributors, Propenor had historically relied on manual estimates and customer calls to plan deliveries—a common industry practice that often results in reactive logistics, higher operating costs, and limited visibility over customer tank levels. With a firm commitment to innovation and excellence, Propenor partnered with Celestia TST to modernize its operations and integrate smarter, data-driven decision-making into its distribution strategy.
The Solution: NivelWatcher Pilot
To address these needs, Propenor partnered with Celestia TST to launch a pilot project, installing 5 NivelWatcher sensors on selected customer tanks and connecting them to the system’s user-friendly cloud platform. This initial phase enabled Propenor to:
- Test the solution in actual working conditions
- Validate the benefits of real-time tank monitoring
- Build confidence in the technology and its impact onoperations
- Assess the ease of use for installation and daily operation
- Evaluate customer perception and willingness to adopt the solution
Scaling Up: From 5 to 50 Devices
Encouraged by the success of the pilot, Propenor expanded the deployment to 50 NivelWatcher devices across its customer network. This step change brought:
- Enhanced operational control: Propenor gained comprehensive, real-time visibility of tank levels, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions.
- Optimised route planning: Deliveries could now be scheduled proactively, reducing unnecessary trips and minimising urgent, last-minute deliveries.
- Cost savings: These efficiencies resulted in a 10% reduction in distribution costs.
- Greater benefits for all: Customers enjoyed more reliable, anticipatory service, while Propenor strengthened its reputation for excellence.
“Before, we were pretty much in the dark. We relied on customer calls and our own estimates. Now we have real-time data at our disposal. Now we can plan routes, avoid emergencies and provide a much more professional service because we can anticipate needs. And customers really appreciate that because they feel better cared for.”
Raúl Blanco, Sales Representative, Propenor
The NivelWatcher Solution
NivelWatcher by Celestia TST combines easy-to-install smart sensors with a powerful cloud-based platform. Key features include:
- Installation in under one minute on almost any tank
- Real-time monitoring and automated alerts for low levels or anomalies
- Advanced analytics for smarter route planning and demand forecasting
- A scalable architecture suitable for fleets of any size
“From the beginning, we wanted it to be a simple, fast solution to install and fully autonomous. With NivelWatcher, we can turn a traditional tank into a connected tank in less than a minute. The sensor adapts to different tanks and the platform provides analytics that allow our clients to improve their operations, even when they have many devices deployed.”
Alberto Puras,Business Development Manager, Celestia TST
Preparing for the Future
Following the success of the expansion, Propenor is preparing to scale the solution even further, with the goal of connecting more customers and tank locations. This next phase will:
- Strengthen operational control and efficiency
- Deliver even greater cost savings.
- Revolutionize customer relationships by offering a truly personalized and anticipatory service.
Conclusion
The journey of Propenor, from a small pilot to a network of 50 connected tanks, demonstrates the power of adopting innovation step by step. Thanks to NivelWatcher, the company has managed to reduce costs, gain control, and create benefits for all parties involved, setting a new benchmark in smart, customer‑focused fuel distribution.
Most importantly, its ability to anticipate customer needs and deliver a more reliable, proactive service has significantly strengthened customer loyalty, consolidating long-term trusted relationships and positioning Propenor as a true strategic partner for its clients.
Ready to transform your operations? Discover NivelWatcher by Celestia TST.