BizAims

1935: Founded in Bangor

Webber Oil Company was founded by Alburney E. Webber. Operations were based at 700 Main Street in Bangor, and consisted of 4 employees and two fuel delivery trucks.

1936: New Ideas: Automatic Delivery & 24-Hour Service

Webber introduced the first automatic delivery service for fuel customers and instituted 24-hour service, which was a brand new concept well into the 40s.

1937: BYOG (Build Your Own Gas Stations)

Webber began building its own gasoline stations

1939 - 1945: 250 Oil Customers!

During World War II, the government controlled distribution of petroleum products. Opportunity for growth was limited until the war was over. Webber had 14 employees by 1940, serving 20 gasoline customers and 250 fuel oil customers.

1946: Expanded Distribution

Rural electrification began and Maine's countryside was being wired for electricity; Webber's future seemed to light up too. By the late 1940's Webber expanded it's gasoline & fuel oil distribution.

1948: First Major Acquisition

Webber makes its first major acquisition - Staples Oil Company in Pittsfield.

1949: Deep Water Terminal

Webber constructs a 32 million gallon deep water terminal, Webber Tanks in Bucksport, to store vast supplies of heating fuel, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene and diesel fuel.

1960: First Diversifications

Webber Supply Inc., a wholesale heating supply house, was founded. This was the first non-petroleum company operated by Webber. Webber also entered the real estate market with the purchase of commercial property, forming Webber Realty.

1962: Blizzard Blitz

Webber worked around the clock for 6 days to assure no Webber customer went without heat when the biggest blizzard of the century hit Bangor, ME.

1965: Growth & Diversification

Webber grew to include 110 employees, 16 large capacity heating oil trucks, 5,300 heating oil customers, 40 resellers and 85 gasoline service station dealerships in four counties. Webber acquired Sargent, Kennedy & Adams (now Sargent, Tyler & West) insurance company, further diversifying its operations.

1968: Brake Service & Parts

Webber expanded its operations and acquired Brake Service & Parts Inc. to service its ever-expanding fleet of trucks and trailers.

1969: Larry Mahaney at the Helm

Larry Mahaney becomes President and through modern management techniques, transformed the well-established family business into a growth-oriented corporation.

1971: Car Washes Come Online

Webber opens its Union Street Car Wash, bringing to Bangor the convenience and economy of the gasoline/car wash tie-in that had caught on in other areas of the country.

1973: Sailed through the Embargo

Webber survived the Arab oil embargo by striving hard to secure enough oil for its customers. The company's long-range planning paid off, and it came out of the embargo even stronger than before.

1975: Sunoco Purchase

Webber purchased Sunoco's gasoline stations in eastern and southern Maine, as well as its barge terminal in Bangor, and its deep water terminal and offices in Portland. Webber formed Webber Petroleum to manage these extensive holdings.

1976: Expanding Brake Service & Parts

Webber began opening branches of Brake Service & Parts, Inc., originally purchased in 1969.

1980: New Idea... Home Delivery of Propane

Webber's Central Maine Gas service became the first company to deliver bulk gas to customers at their homes, and for the first time Webber expanded out of state by purchasing Parish Oil in New York.

1985: 50 Years!

Webber Energy Fuels celebrated its 50th anniversary.

1988: New Idea: Presidential Protection Plan

Webber introduced the Presidential Protection Plan, the first plan of its kind in this area to offer complete coverage of a customer's heating system, to include all repairs, parts and cleanings for a low annual fee. 

1993: Agway Acquisition

Webber acquired 6 Agway Energy oil companies, 2 in Maine and 4 in New Hampshire. This was the largest single acquisition ever made by the Company.

1994: Webber DZL

Webber introduced Webber DZL, a program designed to create the best possible fuel for customers in an environment where no industry standards existed for premium diesel fuel.

1996: On the Internet

Webber enhanced customer service with its presence on the internet.

1997-1999: Technology Reigns

Investments in technology ensured Webber’s competitiveness and added value to products, services and staff. Webber introduced industry-specific software, which automated delivery scheduling, inventory, trucking, and budgeting of accounts. Emergency services were centralized, truck filling became computerized and wholesale customers routinely refueled 24 hours a day with ATM-style pumps.

1998: Service through the Ice Storm

Webber worked around the clock to maintain fuel deliveries and donated fuel products to keep customers comfortable during the “Ice Storm of the Century”.

2000: New President

Michael Shea was appointed Larry Mahaney’s successor to the Presidency.

2002: Expansion Beyond Maine

Webber continued expansion with acquisitions in retail heating oil companies, equipment and repair operations, petroleum business, gasoline and convenience stores statewide in Maine and in New Hampshire.

2003: National Honor

The Newcomen Society of the United States recognized Webber Energy Fuels in honor of the company’s achievement as a creative, dynamic wholesale and retail heating oil company, with an excellent history of environmental security and responsibility.

2004: Bulk Petroleum

Bulk petroleum facilities were built in Rangeley, Harrington and Augusta.

2005: 70 Years!

Webber marks the milestone of its 70th Anniversary.

2007 and Forward: New Product Introductions

Webber Energy Fuels remains one of the largest and most progressive fuel companies in New England, as is witnessed by three new product introductions in the first 6 months of 2007. Webber Watchdog packages ultimate protection for less, offering a bundled family of Webber's most popular protection plans and services at a discount. Webber rolls out BioEnergy, a clean, renewable, reliable home heating fuel option to customers in specific geographies. And Downside Protection, Webber's additional option to its Price Protection Plan, further takes the worry out of fluctuating oil prices for customers.