MFA marks 80 years in Nevada

The MFA Oil Company will be celebrating 80 years of serving Nevada in 2009.

The MFA company is a farmer-owned cooperative with more than 40,000 members that supplies fuels, lubricants and propane to customers in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. The company is headquartered in Columbia, Mo., and was established in 1929 by Missouri farmers who wanted to be assured of a reliable supply of quality petrolium products at a fair price. By the end of its first year, MFA operated 25 bulk plants and today operates more than 100 bulk plants throughout its trade territories.

As part of its bulk plant operations, MFA Oil also operates more than 160 Petro-Card 24 unattended fueling stations and sells its own brand of premium lubricants. MFA Oil made propane gas available to its customers in the early 1960s and now, with more than 100 propane plants in operation, sells more propane for home heating and farm use than any other company in Missouri. MFA is currently ranked eighth among the top 50 largest propane retailers in the United States.

Through a subsidiary, MFA Oil operates Break Time convenience stores in Missouri and Arkansas, as well as owning the Jiffy Lube and Big-O Tire franchises in central Missouri. MFA also offers bulk delivery of fuels, lubricants and propane to residential, commercial and agricultural customers.

With tank wagon, 10-wheeler and transport delivery available, the company can meet the needs of all its customers, both large and small. The company offers several money-saving programs, including propane pre-buy and fuel contracting plans that are designed to help relieve the worry that accompanies today's volatile fuel prices.

MFA provides leak checks and bottle fills for its propane customers and offers after-hours service as well. Its Petro-Card 24 stations are open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week and sell unleaded gasoline, clear diesel and E85 ethanol.

This spring, MFA will be building a new bulk plant and warehouse at its office location. The company also plans to expand its Petro-Card 24 operations on North Centennial, adding pumps and increasing its offering to include red-dyed diesel fuel.

MFA Oil offers bulk lubricant sales to customers who need at least 200 gallons of lubricants each year. Deliveries can range from 100-4,000 gallons and not only do customers save money because they are not paying for packaging, they don't have to wrestle with oil drums as the product is delivered directly from the truck to the customer's tank.

As a cooperative, MFA is owned by its farmer members. The company's members vote on delegates to represent the local plants and elect the company's board of directors. In addition, members earn patronage dividends based on purchases from the company through their bulk, propane and Petro-Card 24 accounts.

MFA is one of few fuel marketers in the United States with its own laboratory, offering oil and fuel analysis and technical support to its customers at no charge.

MFA prides itself on its top-quality products with great customer service. The company stands behind everything it sells and is always accessible to its customers.

MFA Oil never abandoned its rural roots as many large oil companies did. The company has its roots planted firmly in the country and has flourished there. Having entered its 80th year in 2009, MFA Oil is a financially sound organization that ows its success to the support and involvement of its member-owners.

In addition to the new bulk plant and warehouse and the expansion of the Petro-Card 24 station on Centennial, MFA plans to hire new personnel to continue providing great service to its growing customer base in the coming year.

Each fall, MFA hosts an open house luncheon for its customers. During lunch, customers receive a report on company operations and register to win door prizes.

Always a good neighbor, MFA takes great pride in its corporate citzenship and in 1998, established the MFA Oil Foundation. The foundation's goal is to provide support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where the company has a significant concentration of members and employess.

MFA Oil allocates a portion of profits from its retail operations to the MFA Oil Foundation and gives nearly $100,000 in grants annually. In addition, MFA Oil participates with MFA Inc. in the MFA Foundation to provide greater educational opportunities for youth in the company's trade territories. Besides these two foundations, MFA is very involved with other non-profit organizations that support youth and agriculture.

For more information on the MFA Oil Company or its affiliates, or if customers may have any questions or concerns, they are encouraged to contact the company by phone at (800)278-4188, or visit mfaoil.com.