� DEAD RIVER ACQUIRES NORTHERN ESSEX FUEL
Dead River Co ., South Portland , Maine , acquired Northern Essex Fuel Co . ( NEFCO ), Merrimac , Massachusetts , and will operate it under Buxton Oil , one of Dead River ’ s independent brands . The acquisition , announced by Dead River on Jan . 25 , gives the company a greater footprint in northern Massachusetts .
NEFCO owners Barbara and Mark Bird are retiring after 34 years of operating their family business . The Birds stated it was important to them to find a company that believes in “ putting customer and community first .”
In 2018 , Dead River acquired Buxton Oil , Epping , N . H ., which continues to operate independently . Based 17 miles away , Buxton Oil will serve NEFCO customers . Dead River also has an office in Bernardston , Massachusetts .
Buxton Oil General Manager Jon Drabik noted that propane products and services , which were not available to customers through NEFCO , will be available as part of Buxton Oil ’ s offerings .
� SAIL ENERGY ACQUIRES ROBERTS ENERGY
Sail Energy of Portsmouth , N . H ., acquired Roberts Energy ’ s residential heating oil delivery business , marketed under the trade name Martini ’ s Oil , based in Johnston , R . I ., Cetane Associates announced . The transaction closed on Jan . 11 .
Since 1972 , Martini ’ s Oil has served residential and light commercial customers . Roberts Energy acquired the central Rhode Island business in April 2019 . Frank Roberts , president of Roberts Energy , said , “ We are glad to have completed this successful transaction with Sail Energy , who will offer the Martini Oil customers HVAC services and carry on the outstanding delivery service our customers count on .”
Since 2014 , Sail Energy has made acquisitions . It now serves customers in four New England states and New York . Dennis O ’ Brien , president and chief executive officer of Sail Energy , said , “ We are pleased to bring Martini ’ s Oil into the Sail Energy group . Their well-known local reputation and loyal customers in Rhode Island are welcome additions to our Vaughn Oil operation .”
Cetane Associates , which provides financial advisory services to business owners in the retail energy distribution industry , served as the arranger and financial advisor to Roberts Energy . For more information , visit www . cetane . net .
� HILLSIDE ACQUIRES MAKER OF PHILLY NOZZLES
The manufacturer of Philly Nozzles , swivels and other fuel oil delivery systems was acquired by Hillside Acquisitions Group in an all-cash deal .
After the acquisition , Philly Nozzle moved into Hillside ’ s new 85,000-square-foot facility in Morgantown , Pennsylvania . The original workforce of Philly Nozzle was retained , Hillside said in announcing the acquisition .
Hillside Custom specializes in custom machining , automation , welding , fabrication , UL Panels and millwright services . The acquisition was made on June 1 , 2020 , Hillside said in a Jan . 13 , 2021 , announcement .
Philly Nozzle serves local and national petroleum handling equipment distributors . Originally a division of Crystal Metal Products , the Philly team provides commercial delivery nozzles and components , including Philly ball valve delivery nozzles , hose swivels , whistle fill pipe , angle check valves , combination flow control valves and check valves . Its service area includes the United States , Canada , the United Kingdom , and South Africa .
For more information on Philly Nozzle call 215-423-2500 , email info @ phillynozzle . com or visit www . phillynozzle . com .
� PPA HIRES MERCURIO , REEDER
Alan Mercurio and Jessica Reeder are newly hired staff members of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association . Mercurio is lead technical trainer , and Reeder is program administrator .
“ I would like to welcome Alan Mercurio and Jessica Reeder to our team ,” said PPA Executive Vice President Ted Harris . “ A core membership value of the PPA is to offer industry-specific training to our membership . Our new staff members will greatly enhance our current program and better position the organization for future growth .”
Mercurio brings more than 30 years of industry experience in various roles . He holds
Jessica Reeder
Alan Mercurio
14 FEBRUARY 2021 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com