Offen Petroleum recently acquired the wholesale business of Sherman, Texas-based Douglass Distributing.
Douglas, a national leader in the propane, lubricant, and wholesale and commercial fuel businesses, primarily serves customers in Texas and Oklahoma. The company currently distributes more than 200 million gallons of fuel annually. Douglass’ propane business has more than 4,600 residential customers, its wholesale business boasts more than 150 major customers, and its commercial business includes more than 2,800 fuel, lubricant and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) customers. The distributor also maintains an extensive fuel carrier business and operates in part through an agreement with Old World Industries to provide product transportation, as well as on-site manufacturing of DEF, antifreeze, and washer fluid products.
A Douglass affiliate also owns and operates 23 convenience stores in North Texas under the Lone Star Food Stores banner that are not part of the sale to Offen.
“Bill Douglass is one of the most respected leaders in the fuels distribution industry, and he has created an elite and diversified distribution business,” Offen CEO Bill Gallagher said in a news release. “We are honored that Bill has trusted us to carry on his legacy in serving his customers, employing his people, and supporting the Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma communities to make lives better. This acquisition will allow us to establish an operations center in Sherman, Texas, and we will hire the employees of the Douglass wholesale business.
“This business will serve as our platform to accelerate our growth in the Texas marketplace.”
Offen is acquiring all of the Douglass wholesale facilities in the deal and will continue operations from the Sherman, Texas campus, the company said.
In 1947, Humble Oil (later known as Exxon) established a railroad bulk plant in Sherman and Gainesville, Texas. In 1981, Bill Douglass purchased the Exxon consignee in Sherman, including the local Exxon Transport Division, Exxon Tank Wagon Division, Exxon Lubricants Division and Tires, Batteries & Accessories Division, and through these acquisitions, Douglass Distributing was born. Since its formation with three employees through today, with an enterprise employing more than 340 people, Bill Douglass and his family-run businesses have been recognized as leaders in the convenience store and wholesale fuel industries.
“We have built a strong and successful wholesale fuel business over the past 40 years and are proud of our hard working and dedicated team members,” Bill Douglass said. “We are pleased that Offen also recognizes the value and contributions of our team members, and, as a result, Offen will be retaining virtually all of the people who have supported our wholesale businesses. I have known Bill Gallagher for many years and have been impressed by the operation he has built at Offen. I know that Offen’s values align with ours and that our wholesale businesses and people will continue to thrive under their ownership and direction.”