HISTORY OF PENCO OIL >

In 1933, Doc Edge opened an oil and gasoline distribution facility in Tyler, Texas as a Standard of Ohio Consignee. After operating as a consignee for a number of years, Mr. Edge purchased the business from Standard of Ohio and formed the Doc Edge Oil Company.

In the early to mid 1940’s, Ben Sprague was brought on board as General Manager for the company, eventually becoming part owner. At this time, the name was changed to Edge–Sprague Oil Company.  After the passing of Mr. Edge, Mr. Sprague purchased Mr. Edge’s interest in the company and changed the company’s name to Ben Sprague Oil Company. During this time, the company became a Pennzoil Distributor through the hard work of Mr. Sprague, thus beginning the company’s long-term relationship with the lubricants manufacturer.

In 1956, Jake Smith bought into the company and the name was changed again to Sprague-Smith Oil Company. At this time, the main source of the company’s revenue was through the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel.  Once Mr. Smith came on board, this began to change as a result of Mr. Smith’s background and experience with Pennzoil. Mr. Smith sought to expand its product mix and shift the company’s focus more to the lubricants side of the business.

In 1963, Jake Smith, Gordon Wilson, and Wayne Milburn bought out Mr. Sprague and formed Penco Oil Company. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Milburn left the company to pursue other interests, leaving Mr. Smith and Mr. Wilson as the owners of Penco Oil. At the time, Amalie was the dominant motor oil in Penco’s market, but through the hard work of Mr. Smith, Mr. Wilson, and a gentleman by the name of GG Stringer, Amalie’s position in the market was in jeopardy. Within a matter of years, Pennzoil replaced Amalie as the number one motor oil in East Texas.

In 1976, Joe Smith and Greg Hibbs purchased Gordon Wilson’s interest in the company and shortly thereafter broke ground on a new office and warehouse facility at 510 N. Palace Avenue, where Penco still operates today. Penco expanded its business into bulk oil delivery with the construction of onsite bulk oil tanks in 1982. During the 1990’s, Penco focused on expanding its presence in the market and by expanding its bulk oil capacity.  In 2000, Pennzoil Products Company bought the Quaker State Company resulting in Penco becoming a Quaker State Distributor in conjunction with Pennzoil.

After the purchase of the Pennzoil Quaker State Company by Shell Lubricants in 2002, Penco signed a new contract with Shell and added the Shell Transport and Industrial lines, once again requiring Penco to further expand its bulk oil facility. Most recently, Penco was granted a Castrol distributor contract in 2010.

Looking ahead, Penco plans to build upon its rich history.  Penco continues to strive to be a leading lubricants supplier in the markets in which it participates, while ensuring that its customers receive the highest level of service possible.