Energy Distribution Partners Acquires Sal’s Propane
Sal’s Propane, Inc., a family-owned company based in Los Angeles, Calif., has sold its commercial propane business to Energy Distribution Partners (EDP), Chicago, Ill. Sal’s Propane provides propane and propane equipment to commercial and industrial customers throughout Los Angeles, and operates a wholesale business in the same territory. The company, which has been serving customers in the Los Angeles area since 1984, will retain its wholesale and transportation operation.
One week before the acquisition of Sal’s was announced on May 9, EDP announced that it had acquired a propane marketer in the greater Seattle area operating under the names Kitsap Propane and Jefferson Propane. (“EDP Acquires Propane Marketer,” pg. 4, June 2018 Fuel Oil News.)
EDP provides propane service to residential and commercial customers in California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington State. The company’s stated long-term strategy is the purchasing of successful operations in propane and other fuels and in the midstream energy sector, retaining the brand name, preserving local management, and delegating to leaders in local communities.
“It was extremely important to me that the legacy of the business my dad and I built was respected,” said owner Sal Balsamo. “It was also vital that my employees continued to be employed. EDP has a history of honoring those things. They remained consistent and fair from the initial offer to even beyond the closing. I appreciated that they could be trusted throughout the whole process for my family, my employees, and my customers.”
Tom Knauff, Energy Distribution Partners’ CEO, stated, “Sal’s Propane is a well-run operation and we are very pleased to welcome the Sal’s team into the EDP family of companies. The company has an excellent reputation and has grown substantially for nearly 35 years thanks to positive word-of-mouth and referrals. Our EDP team is committed to continuing to serve Sal’s customers with the same level of superior service they have come to expect.”
John Balsamo started the business in 1984 as one fill-up location in Burbank. Today Sal’s Propane, run in recent years by Sal Balsamo, offers a full line of commercial propane services, products, and professional training. EDP will operate from Sal’s corporate office and large propane storage facility in Los Angeles. “We were already well-versed in operating in the L.A. Basin through our Expo Propane operations in Long Beach,” commented Knauff. “We will unite the two teams of Expo and Sal’s which will create one of the largest propane service providers in Los Angeles and surrounding counties.” Scott Graham, general manager of Expo Propane, will manage the combined operations.—Stephen Bennett
Posted Thursday, June 7, 2018