Fleming Oil Merges With Dead River Co.

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. -- Fleming Oil has merged its heating oil and services division with Bangor, Maine-based Dead River Co., leaving Fleming to focus on its convenience stores and gas stations, according to a Brattleboro Reformer report. The merger between Fleming and Dead River Co. was finalized on Nov. 17.

Under the terms of the deal, Dead River will own and operate Fleming Oil's heating oil and services division, while Fleming retains ownership of its convenience stores and gasoline stations under the new name, Shell Food Marts. Fleming Oil currently operates 11 locations in Vermont and New Hampshire.

The 103-year-old Dead River Co. sold its Maine c-stores to Circle K in October, as CSNews Online reported, and now operates 40 retail fuel offices in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

"We're excited to have been selected by Fleming Oil and the Fleming family," Dead River's Regional Manager Norm Guerette said.

Fleming Oil owner Rick Fleming said he will continue to oversee daily operations at Fleming's Battleboro and Langdon, N.H., offices. He added that the merger should allow him to offer new services, such as online billing and ordering, as well as future expansion of existing services.