Reflecting on 90 Years of Service
July 5, 2019
Written By Adam Buckallew
In June, MFA Oil Company celebrated the 90th anniversary of its founding. If you look back on the history of the cooperative, you will see that the company has evolved over time with a purpose to return the most value to our farmer-owners. Some highlights include:
- 1929 – Initial bulk fuel plants established
- 1962 – Entered the propane business
- 1983 – Introduced our first Petro-Card 24 station in Chillicothe, Mo.
- 1985 – Opened our first Break Time convenience store
- 1990 – Purchased Jiffy Lube franchises in mid-Missouri
- 1998 – Became a Big O Tires franchisee
- 2013 – Acquired American Petroleum Marketers fuel distribution business
While it’s clear some things have changed over the years, as I reflect on our past, I also see characteristics that have stood the test of time. Since the beginning, when our original 24 bulk plants opened in 1929, our employees have cared deeply about serving our members and customers. We remain just as committed to those ideals today as we did 90 years ago. There have been thousands of people that have worked for MFA Oil throughout the years, and we certainly would not be where we are today without their dedication and diligence.
When I was elevated to the role of interim CEO in April, I spoke with the MFA Oil Board of Directors about the importance of our focus on delivering exceptional customer service. To me, this goes hand-in-hand with valuing the long-standing relationships we have with our farmer-owners and reinforcing our commitment to you. We know your energy needs can be time-sensitive, and our goal is to meet those needs in a safe and timely manner.
I want to thank you, our farmer-owners, for your continued loyalty. This cooperative has a strong agricultural heritage and many farmers and ranchers who have served the company as delegates and board members in our storied history. Your support means everything to us.
While MFA Oil is currently in a transition period, you don’t have to look too far in the rearview mirror to find times when the co-op faced both good times and bad. We can never be certain of what tomorrow will hold, but I think that’s half the fun of looking forward. No matter what we face, I want to assure you that we are well-equipped to handle the future.