Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Two Aroostook County oil dealers are joining forces.
A deal was completed last week between Dead River Company and Ferris Oil Company that would make Ferris’ heating oil, gasoline and diesel business part of Dead River’s local petroleum operation. Bob Ferris said his two convenience stores in Houlton and Easton will not be impacted by the arrangement and that he would continue to operate a heating, plumbing and air conditioning business, Bob’s Plumbing & Heating, from his storefront on Parsons Street in Presque Isle.
“It was a matter of economics for our company,” said Ferris in a Jan. 21 phone interview. “The last three or four years, the higher [oil] prices have put a larger demand on companies like ours. … It’s not a penny ante business anymore.”
Ferris Oil Company, a business in its 21st year, served customers around the region. Originally starting in Presque Isle, Ferris Oil Co. had expanded to the Houlton area and, up until last year, had operated a fuel office in Houlton.
The bulk of employees with Ferris Oil were able to retain their jobs, added Ferris.
“We were thankful that Dead River was able to take the majority of our employees. Not all of them, but they did do very well by taking the majority of employees and giving them good, solid jobs,” he said. “That was one of the things we negotiated and … they worked very well with us on that.”
Negotiations with Dead River were several months in progress and concluded Jan. 14. Existing pre-buys, fuel assistance monies and budget program agreements made between customers and Ferris will be honored by Dead River.
“Everything was a good, smooth transition,” said Ferris. “We felt that we looked out for our customer base, and we certainly want to thank all our customers for the good years they gave us and for the support they’ve given us over the years.”
Ferris also expressed appreciation to company officials at Dead River.
“As a company, we felt they had some depth which you need in the oil business,” he said. “We were very grateful that Dead River came along with the deal they gave us.”
Dead River’s Presque Isle Manager Alan Landeen referred calls to Bob Ferris, but, in a recent letter to customers, said he was happy with the arrangement.
“We are delighted that Bob chose Dead River Company, a Maine-owned family business that has been part of the northern Maine community since the 1930s, to carry on its petroleum delivery business,” he stated. “Please be assured that everything concerning [customer] accounts will continue with no interruption of service.”
Dead River Company can be reached in Houlton at 532-2283 or in Presque Isle at 769-2931. Bob’s Plumbing and Heating can be reached at 764-1515 or 227-6275.
