Product: Dalkan (ForeFuel) Developers: David Kelerich, Dov Talmor Company: Orpak Start of Development: 1983
At the beginning of the 1980s, the manager of the Tadiran Corporation’s vehicle fleet searched for a solution that would streamline the refueling process for the company’s vehicles.
Until then, the company employees refueled their vehicles with vouchers they were allocated and the vehicle manager sought to lower fuel expenses and lighten the administrative work associated with issuing the vouchers.
The problem was approached by David Kelerich and Dov Talmor who in 1983, developed a method of identification based on RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), that enables the purchase of gasoline without the need for payment with cash, credit card or direct debit card. The product’s software, that was written on a home computer, stored the refueling records on the magnetic tape of a standard cassette.
The development gradually evolved and was given the name “Dalkan”. Following the product’s success, it was decided to transfer its continued operation to the Rapac Group which integrated the product into the Orpak Corporation, and to offer it to gas companies and vehicle fleets both in Israel and abroad. Since then, Orpak has become a world leader in the field, widening the Dalkan’s distribution to additional countries and launching other products for the energy market, gas companies and vehicle fleets.
Over the years, the Dalkan has undergone many developments and upgrades. One of these was a connection to the refueling vehicle’s computer, enabling access to data on the odometer and subsequent automatic calculation, and reporting of fuel consumption. Other developments were the transition to wireless communication between the system’s components while at the gas station, introduction of advanced encryption and authentication technologies and others.
In its advanced form, the Dalkan enables vehicle fleet managers significant control over, and saving of fuel costs, and a simple and swift refueling experience for the driver. The Dalkan customers worldwide report that its use leads to an average saving of 12 percent in fuel expenses by streamlining the refueling process and preventing fraud.
Orpak’s products are today used in over 60 countries worldwide and the Dalkan has been installed in approximately 7 million motor vehicles. In 2017, Orpak was purchased by Gilbarco, the giant American energy and petroleum corporation. Orpak continues to operate as an independent company from its corporate headquarters in Israel.
