Oil & Gas

Holiday StationStores Corporate Office

In 1928, brothers Arthur and Alfred Erickson borrowed some money to open a small general store in Centuria, Wisconsin. The brothers tried to get more customers by opening earlier and closing later. Soon, they had a second store in Minnesota.

In 1939, the brothers added gas stations to their stores and gave it the official name of Holiday.

Today, the company employs approximately 8,000 people and has more than 600 locations. This number consists of employees working in stores, fresh food commissaries, distribution facilities, and offices. Holiday has been praised throughout the years by industry leaders for its low-cost, high-profit business model.

Holiday own’s two fresh food commissaries. These commissaries produce a “Holiday Pantry” line of fresh breakfast and lunch sandwiches, burritos, hot snacks, hard-boiled eggs, and muffins. The commissaries also produce the “Fresh Seasons” line of fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, pasta, cold submarine sandwiches, yogurt, and many other food items.

In January 2020, the chain was acquired by the Canadian company Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Alimentation stated that stores would keep the name of Holiday.

During the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, Holiday Stores opted to pay employees more since they were working in what was considered an essential business.

In May 2022, several dozen drivers complained of receiving “bad” gas from different Holiday Stationstores.

Holiday maintains a corporate office in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Holiday StationStores

In 1939, the brothers added gas stations to their stores and gave it the official name of Holiday.

History

In January 2020, the chain was acquired by the Canadian company Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Alimentation stated that stores would keep the name of Holiday.

During the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, Holiday Stores opted to pay employees more since they were working in what was considered an essential business.

In May 2022, several dozen drivers complained of receiving “bad” gas from different Holiday Stationstores.

Holiday maintains a corporate office in Bloomington, Minnesota.

British Petroleum (BP UK) Corporate Office

British Petroleum, commonly known as BP, was founded in 1909 when a group of British geologists located oil in the country that is now Iran.

After the company was established, a deal was struck with the Sheikh at the time, to obtain a site on Abadam Island for a refinery, depot, storage tanks, and other operations.

The British navy quickly switched from using coal to oil.

By the 1960s, British Petroleum had developed a reputation for taking on the riskiest ventures. It earned the company massive profits; it also earned them the worst safety record in the industry.

The British government sold 80 million shares of BP at $7.58 in 1979, as part of the Margaret Thatcher-era privatization plan.

On 23 March 2005, 15 workers were killed and more than 170 injured in the Texas City Oil Refinery explosion. To save money, major upgrades to the 1934 refinery had been postponed and the company promised they would prevent another catastrophe. Three months later, Thunder Horse PDQ, the company’s giant new production platform in the Gulf of Mexico, nearly sank during a hurricane. In the rush to finish the $1 billion platform, workers had installed a valve backward, allowing the ballast tanks to flood. Inspections revealed other shoddy work.

As of December 2018, BP had operations in nearly 80 countries worldwide, produced around 3.7 million barrels per day, and had total proven reserves of 19.945 billion barrels. The company has around 18,700 service stations worldwide, with its largest division is BP America in the United States.

In December 2020, BP India discovered a vast natural gas field on the east coast of India.

Also in December 2020, private energy company Hilcorp announced that they had completed the acquisition of BP’s business in the state of Alaska.

BP Petroleum maintains a corporate office in London, UK.

British Petroleum

British Petroleum, commonly known as BP, was founded in 1909 when a group of British geologists located oil in the country that is now Iran.

After the company was established, a deal was struck with the Sheikh at the time, to obtain a site on Abadam Island for a refinery, depot, storage tanks, and other operations.

The British navy quickly switched from using coal to oil.

History

By the 1960s, British Petroleum had developed a reputation for taking on the riskiest ventures. It earned the company massive profits; it also earned them the worst safety record in the industry.

The British government sold 80 million shares of BP at $7.58 in 1979, as part of the Margaret Thatcher-era privatization plan.

In December 2020, BP India discovered a vast natural gas field on the east coast of India.

Also in December 2020, private energy company Hilcorp announced that they had completed the acquisition of BP’s business in the state of Alaska.

BP Petroleum maintains a corporate office in London, UK.

Nichols Propane Corporate Office

Charles Nichols started a small convenience store in 1971, selling groceries, gas, and propane tank refills.

His sons, Ken, Dean, and Phil, took over the business and expanded it, creating Nichols Propane apart from the convenience stores.

The brothers also own the 16 store chain of convenience stores, now called Nic’s Pic Kwik, which still offer propane tank refills.

Dean Nichols was named Citizen of the Year by Richmond Community College in 2019.

Nichols Propane is perhaps best known for its no-fee tank rental feature. The company maintains a corporate office in Laurinburg, North Carolina.

Nichols Propane

Charles Nichols started a small convenience store in 1971, selling groceries, gas, and propane tank refills.

His sons, Ken, Dean, and Phil, took over the business and expanded it, creating Nichols Propane apart from the convenience stores.

The brothers also own the 16 store chain of convenience stores, now called Nic’s Pic Kwik, which still offer propane tank refills.

History

Dean Nichols was named Citizen of the Year by Richmond Community College in 2019.

Nichols Propane is perhaps best known for its no-fee tank rental feature. The company maintains a corporate office in Laurinburg, North Carolina.

Valvoline Corporate Office

Valvoline motor oil was founded back in 1866 by Dr. John Ellis, one of the pioneers for the refinement of crude oil. He originally hoped that oil would have medicinal properties but failed in that endeavor. The name Valvoline was incorporated in 1873.

Valvoline motor oil was used in the first North American car race held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895 and by the early 1900s was the recommended oil of car manufacturer Henry Ford.

In 1950, Ashland Oil, Inc. acquired Valvoline and created an all-season motor oil that eliminated the need for different oil use in the winter.

The company has sponsored racing events and cars, including the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, NASCAR, and Formula One. Valvoline recently extended their support of Hendrick Motorsports 12 time NASCAR Cup winning champion driver Alex Bowman through 2022.

In 1987, the company introduced its own quick-service oil change locations, providing preventative maintenance for consumers, including oil changes, radiator flushing, batteries, belts, and transmission servicing.

In 2011, the company reported $2 billion in global sales. Valvoline has more than 60 processing and packaging plants around the world.

In July 2019, the company announced record third-quarter earnings, beating stock estimates of .32 per share profit at .37 per share.

An employee at an Asheville, Kentucky, Valvoline oil change center was fired in mid-July 2019, after listing a customer’s name on their invoice as “Pokahontas.” The post went viral on Facebook. The CEO called the customer to apologize and refunded the money spent at the location.

Valvoline is still owned by parent company Ashland Oil, Inc. and has headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

Valvoline

Valvoline motor oil was used in the first North American car race held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895 and by the early 1900s was the recommended oil of car manufacturer Henry Ford.

History

In 1950, Ashland Oil, Inc. acquired Valvoline and created an all-season motor oil that eliminated the need for different oil use in the winter.

In 2011, the company reported $2 billion in global sales. Valvoline has more than 60 processing and packaging plants around the world.

In July 2019, the company announced record third-quarter earnings, beating stock estimates of .32 per share profit at .37 per share.

Valvoline is still owned by parent company Ashland Oil, Inc. and has headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

Sapp Bros. Travel Centers

Brothers William, Ray, Dean, and Lee Sapp decided that they wanted to go into business for themselves. Pooling their money, the brothers first purchased a car dealership in Ashland, Nebraska, before shifting their attention to gas stations. They opened their first station in 1971.

From a single gas station, the company has grown into 17 stations and travel centers, which include cafes, in 9 states. The company is perhaps best known for its coffee pot-shaped signs and logo.

The company had annual estimated revenue of $1.5 billion in 2017. The Sapp family was known to be very generous, giving $50,000 to renovate the Oak Bowl Stadium in their hometown.

Genesis Fuel Corp. announced April 16, 2019, that they had reached a discount agreement with Sapp Bros., allowing the company to utilize the Genesis Fuel Card and allow drivers to take advantage of the Digital Diesel fixed diesel prices at Sapp Bros. locations.

The last member of the Sapp Brothers, William, passed away in April 2019. It is unknown at this time who will replace him as CEO. Headquarters for the company remain in Omaha, Nebraska.

Sapp Bros. Travel Centers

From a single gas station, the company has grown into 17 stations and travel centers, which include cafes, in 9 states. The company is perhaps best known for its coffee pot-shaped signs and logo.

History

The company had annual estimated revenue of $1.5 billion in 2017. The Sapp family was known to be very generous, giving $50,000 to renovate the Oak Bowl Stadium in their hometown.

The last member of the Sapp Brothers, William, passed away in April 2019. It is unknown at this time who will replace him as CEO. Headquarters for the company remain in Omaha, Nebraska.