MILFORD, Ohio & FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Lykins Energy Solutions has announced that it is partnering with Gulf Oil LP for an exclusive deal to represent the brand in the greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky area to bring the Gulf brand back for the first time in more than two decades.
The partnership with Gulf Oil gives Lykins Energy the exclusive rights to the Gulf brand in the greater Cincinnati market and also allows for growth throughout the United States. Lykins Energy plans to maximize this opportunity by partnering with existing and new station owners in greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky and southern Indiana to start, which has been Lykins home turf for more than 68 years.
"Lykins will be offering Gulf branding opportunities to area gas station owners starting immediately. Existing and new-to-industry opportunities still exist for qualified partners. Lykins expects to have dozens of locations branded Gulf in the next few years with a goal of over 100 for the Cincinnati market alone," said Lykins Energy Solutions vice president of sales and procurement Greg Belisle.
Lykins Energy operated one of the first Gulf gas stations in the Cincinnati market in 1953.
"The Gulf image is bold, bright and new, but still has the nostalgic look of the 1950s. My family is proud to have them as a partner again," said Jeff Lykins, president and CEO of Lykins Energy Solutions.
"The Legend is Back," Gulf Oil's advertising campaign, is set to begin in early March.
Jr. Lykins Jr. and Don Lykins are the second generation of Lykins Oil and the sons of its founder, Guy Lykins, who started the company in 1948. Jr. said he remembers the 1940s, 50s and 60s when there was "a Gulf gas station in every town."
"The Cincinnati market had over 40 Gulf gas stations back then" he said.
Jr. Lykins said that a big part of the Lykins success is due to the Gulf brand. "With Gulf, we had supply in the market other suppliers didn't have, and it gave us an amazing image with that big orange disc sign," he said. "They helped us grow in many ways. I always hoped the Gulf image would come back. Now it has, and I'm so proud that Lykins is part of that."
Lykins Energy Solutions (formerly Lykins Oil) is a family-owned and -operated business based in Milford, Ohio. The company was founded in 1948 by Guy Lykins Sr., and is now in the third generation of management. The company serves customers in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, as well as throughout the Midwest and the Southeast and provides services including branded fuels, wholesale fuels, commercial, transportation and home heating oil, propane, lubricants, fleet fueling, electricity and natural gas for Ohio. The company represents five major brands: Gulf, BP, Marathon, ExxonMobil and Shell.
Founded in 1901, Gulf Oil operates as a wholesaler of refined petroleum products. It offers heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, premium Dieselect and gasoline products. The company also produces a line of lubricants, including motor oils. Gulf Oil distributes products through a network of gas stations. In January 2010, Gulf Oil acquired the rights to expand the brand nationwide. Based in Framingham, Mass., the company has more than 2,500 Gulf-branded gas stations and 12 petroleum terminals.
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