Fuel Distributors MFA Oil & Woodford Oil Expand Operations

COLUMBIA, Mo. and ELKINS, W.Va. — Fuel distrbutors MFA Oil Co. and Woodford Oil Co. both expanded their operations with acquisitions.

MFA Oil acquired Lybarger Oil Inc. a propane, refined fuels and lubricants retailer based in Garnett, Kan. This acquisition expands MFA Oil’s footprint, establishing a substantial presence in the east-central Kansas market.

“We are excited to welcome Lybarger Oil’s employees and customers to the MFA Oil family,” said Mark Fenner, MFA Oil president and CEO. “Both companies share a passion for providing excellent service and high-quality fuel and energy solutions to customers, and MFA Oil is committed to continuing the tradition of excellence the customers of Lybarger Oil have come to expect."

Lybarger Oil has been in business since 1955 and is a second-generation, family-owned business. The purchase includes 10 propane plants, eight refined fuel plants, five unattended fueling locations, and bulk and packaged lubricants business.

“We are constantly exploring opportunities to grow our business and this purchase greatly enhances our presence in Kansas,” said Don Smith, MFA Oil's director of mergers and acquisitions. “We look forward to integrating the Lybarger Oil business into our operations. It is a great cultural and strategic fit for us."

Woodford Oil acquired Guttman Energy’s wholesale petroleum distribution business in West Virginia, building on a decade of expansion in the Mountain State and the Appalachian region.

“Woodford Oil is excited to bring together these two great organizations. This deal combines valuable assets including experienced employees, top-tier product lines and a large fleet of modern vehicles and equipment to better serve customers throughout West Virginia and surrounding states,” said Scott Kiser, executive vice president at Woodford Oil.

The acquisition strengthens Woodford Oil’s product and service offerings to commercial, industrial and government customers in West Virginia and across Woodford’s entire six-state service area. The acquisition includes a large fleet of trucks and a network of common carriers to supply a large volume of petroleum products to area customers.

Woodford Oil also stated it will be retaining Guttman Energy’s West Virginia employees, with former Guttman Energy Branch Manager Darroll Talbott named Woodford Oil’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Columbia-based MFA Oil Co. was organized in 1929 by Missouri farmers who wanted to be assured a reliable supply of quality petroleum products at a fair price.

Founded in 1947, Elkins-based Woodford Oil Co. is a locally owned provider of petroleum fuels, lubricants and value-added services that help customers improve their operations and save money. Woodford serves customers in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.