History

NEARLY 75 YEARS OF TRUSTED PROPANE SERVICE.

A Rich History of Satisfied Customers

Successful propane companies don’t just happen. Success requires nurturing, year after year, to assure that customer expectations are not only are met, but also exceeded. At ThompsonGas, we trace our beginnings back to 1946, the year Lloyd Thompson founded our company in Boonsboro, Maryland. We’ve served that small farming community for over seven decades with a commitment to service and a reputation for strong family values.

Today, ThompsonGas is one of the top 10 overall propane companies in the United States, and the largest private propane company in the United States. We provide propane services to residential and commercial customers nationwide, and have delivered fair propane prices consistently year after year.

Play Video

The ThompsonGas Timeline

We are a company who operates our business principles based on old-fashioned family values of building trust and serving others. These have withstood the test of time and will never grow old.

 
1946
Lloyd and Dortha Thompson establish the ThompsonGas Company in Boonsboro, Maryland.

1969

Jim Thompson incorporates the company. The name changes to ThompsonGas & Electric Service, Inc.

1982

ThompsonGas completes its first acquisition, People’s Gas of Brunswick, Maryland, for less than $17,000.

1983

ThompsonGas warehousing moves to a new facility at the south end of Boonsboro. This facility begins a process that facilitates a complete move of the company to this property.

1989

ThompsonGas offices move to Old National Pike property in state of the art facility. Business doubles in size after the move.

1996

J. Randall Thompson takes over the helm of the company. The company completes the acquisition of Baker & Russell in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. This acquisition doubles the size of the company. It also stretches the management team to operate a multi-branch company.

1997

ThompsonGas completes the acquisition of Ramey’s Inc. as a foray into the West Virginia market.

2003

ThompsonGas completes its acquisition of Nichol’s as a foray into the Virginia market. Additionally, ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Region’s Propane in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, making ThompsonGas a multi-region company.

2004

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Clark’s further solidifying it’s West Virginia presence.

2005

ThompsonGas forms a limited liability company with Appalachian Heating, LLC in Bradley, West Virginia to provide propane service to southern West Virginia.

2006

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Suburban Gas in Alabama.

2007

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Tri-State Propane, Inc. in Georgia, Shelby Propane Gas Company, Inc. and Deupree Gas, Inc. in Alabama. ThompsonGas opens ThompsonAce in Boonsboro, Maryland.

 
 

2008

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of L&P Propane in Alabama.

2009

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Carolina Gas Piping, Inc. in Harrisburg, North Carolina. Additionally, ThompsonGas forms TGPH Baltimore Rail Terminal Series, LLC.

2010

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of West Georgia Propane in Bremen, GA and Upson Propane in Thomaston, GA. ThompsonGas also opens a ThompsonGas location in Cullman, Alabama.

2011

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Cooperative Propane in Andalusia, AL and opens a start-up in Orlando, FL.

2012

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of LB Gas in Bonita Springs, FL and Quality Companies in Griffin, GA.

2013

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Campbell’s Bottle Gas in Manassas, VA.

2014

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of the following in North Carolina: Little River in Spring Hope, Ethco in Kenly, and Apex Propane in Apex. Additionally, ThompsonGas completes acquisition of Tri-State Gas in Clinton, KY.

2015

ThompsonGas Corporate Offices move to Frederick, MD in a more modern, state-of-the-art office facility. ThompsonGas also completes acquisition of Como Oil and Propane in Duluth, MN.

2016

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of the following: Beckett Gas in Cameron, MO; Sun Propane in Bradley, WV; and Webster LP in Selma, NC.

2017

ThompsonGas completes acquisition of the following: Propane Northwest in Canby, Tacoma, and Kingston, as well as, Garretts Propane in Rogersville, Dallas County Propane in Buffalo, Burkardt’s LP in Polo, and Clark Gas in the southeast.

2018

Jeff Kerns is appointed CEO. Kerns has been with ThompsonGas over 20 years and served in various positions within the organization, including CFO, and, most recently executive VP of business development. ThompsonGas completes acquisition of the following: North Shore Oil & Propane in Silver Bay, MN; J.I. Banker Gas Service in St. Joseph, MO; ER Energy in CA, OR, WA, and NV; Mid-South Propane in Detroit, AL; South Alabama Propane in Evergreen, AL; and Automatic Gas in Sylacauga, AL.

2019

LP Gas Magazine announces the 2019 LP Gas Top Propane Retailer Rankings. THOMPSONGAS CRACKED THE TOP 10 COMING IN 9TH IN OVERALL RANKINGS. ThompsonGas completes acquisition of the following:
Quality Propane & Fuels in Chippewa Falls, WI; APP Propane Inc. in Tacoma, WA; and Laytonville Gas Co. in Laytonville, CA.

2020

LP Gas Magazine announces the 2020 LP Gas Top Propane Retailer Rankings.

ThompsonGas continues to rise toward the top, ranking the 6th largest propane retailer, and leads the pack in acquisition activity by bringing the following companies into the fold:

All American Propane in Yakima, WA; Energized Gas In Port St. Lucie, FL; Redwood Coast Fuels Propane
Operations based in Ukiah, CA;
Twin Ports Transport in Superior, WI;
Associated Propane in Petaluma, CA;
Midwestern Propane in Belleville, IL;
Pirkl Gas in Owatonna, MN;
EnergyUnited Propane in Statesville, NC.