McPherson Companies
McPherson Companies is a family-owned petroleum distributor serving commercial fleets, industrial manufacturers, retailers, and government accounts across the Southeast US with Mobil and ProTeck lubricants, commercial fuels, DEF, fleet cards, and petroleum equipment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersTrussville, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What McPherson Companies does
McPherson Companies, Inc. (TMC), doing business as McPherson Oil, is a family-owned petroleum products distributor founded in 1971 by Charles K. McPherson, Sr. in Oneonta, Alabama and now headquartered in Trussville, Alabama. The company distributes approximately 150 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel and 16 million gallons of lubricants annually across nine distribution facilities spanning Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It serves commercial fleets, industrial and manufacturing customers, retail and convenience stores, automotive service shops, government accounts, and agricultural operators, distributing ExxonMobil and Mobil branded lubricants alongside its own ProTeck private-label line, commercial fuels, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), the Fuelz Fleet Card, and petroleum equipment from OEM partners including Alemite, Graco, Tuthill, Liquid Dynamics, and OPW.
The company's core technology and value proposition center on its Total Petroleum Management (TPM) program, which bundles fuels, lubricants, equipment, recycling, and engineering services into a single-vendor relationship supplemented by the ReNew oil reclamation program, Mobil Serv-branded industrial engineering, oil analysis, and reliability services (high-velocity oil flushing, varnish removal, reservoir cleaning, lubrication baseline reviews), and a Fuelz fleet card accepted across the Fuelman and MasterCard networks. The proprietary features are largely operational service workflows and supplier relationships rather than software platforms; the company also operates a wholly-owned recycling subsidiary, McClean Fuels (acquired 2000), which provides on-site filter and purification systems and vacuum truck services.
Revenue mechanics are predominantly transaction-based fuel and lubricant distribution with fixed-pricing fuel contracts up to 12 months, supported by equipment sales, recycling service fees, and fleet card swipe economics. Go-to-market is direct B2B through a field sales team, a self-serve customer portal, and authorized-brand distribution agreements with ExxonMobil/Mobil, Shell, and Motorcraft, with distribution delivered via a dedicated 24/7 tanker fleet. Named customers span large enterprises such as Nucor Steel, Deep South Freight, and Saiia Construction alongside SMB automotive accounts, indicating a horizontally diversified regional customer base rather than concentration around a small number of anchor accounts.
McPherson Companies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- McPherson Companies
- Legal name
- The McPherson Companies, Inc.
- Website
- https://mcphersonoil.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- McPherson Companies is a family-owned petroleum distributor serving commercial fleets, industrial manufacturers, retailers, and government accounts across the Southeast US with Mobil and ProTeck lubricants, commercial fuels, DEF, fleet cards, and petroleum equipment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
McPherson Companies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Petroleum Distribution Services
- NAICS
- Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (42471), Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) (424720)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171), Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Branded Fuels Wholesaling & Jobber Distribution (EUALAIAB), Commercial & Fleet Fueling (Cardlock, On-Site Tanks, Bulk Delivery) (EUALAIAD)
Keywords
Where McPherson Companies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Trussville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
McPherson Companies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Fuel Distribution: Sale and delivery of gasoline and diesel fuel (on-road and off-road) to commercial customers, convenience stores, dealers, and industrial businesses throughout the Southeast US. They distribute approximately 150 million annual gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel.
- Lubricants Distribution: Distribution of Mobil and ProTeck branded lubricants for passenger vehicles, commercial/off-highway vehicles, and industrial sector. Distributes approximately 16 million gallons annually.
- Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF): Sale and distribution of DEF for vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems
- Fleet Fuel Card (Fuelz): Fleet management fuel card program providing purchasing controls, real-time reporting, and fraud protection. Marketed in the Southeastern United States.
- Petroleum Equipment Sales and Service: Sale, installation, and maintenance of petroleum equipment including tanks (250 to 30,000+ gallons), monitoring systems, and related hardware
- Used Oil Recycling (ReNew): Oil reclamation and recycling services that regenerate used petroleum to better-than-new specifications for reuse
- Industrial Engineering Services: In-plant lubrication program development, oil analysis, equipment inspections, and reliability consulting services
- Fixed Fuel Contracts: Fixed pricing contracts for diesel fuel that lock rates for up to 12 months, helping customers manage fuel cost volatility
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | B2B commercial pricing based on volume and contract terms |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
McPherson Companies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
McPherson Companies distributes Mobil/ExxonMobil and proprietary ProTeck lubricants, commercial gasoline and diesel fuel, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), and petroleum equipment to commercial and industrial customers across the Southeast US. It complements distribution with the Fuelz fleet fuel card, industrial engineering and Mobil Serv oil analysis services, reliability services (contamination control), the ReNew oil recycling program, and the integrated Total Petroleum Management (TPM) single-source service offering.
Product overview
McPherson Oil operates as a petroleum products distributor offering a unified portfolio of branded and private-label products combined with comprehensive service offerings. The core product lineup includes Mobil-branded lubricants (Mobil 1, Delvac, SHC, Mobil Grease) and the proprietary ProTeck private-label line, alongside commercial fuels, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and the advanced Mobil Diesel Efficient fuel. The Fuelz Fleet Card provides fleet management and fuel cost control. Services are anchored by the Total Petroleum Management (TPM) program—a single-source solution covering industrial engineering, reliability services, petroleum equipment, and the ReNew recycled oil program. These products and services work together as an integrated petroleum management offering, allowing customers to consolidate multiple petroleum suppliers into one partner.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ProTeck: Private label lubricant brand engineered to meet customer expectations of quality, superior performance, and greater value. Offers a full line of quality lubricants that are all API approved.
- Fuelz Fleet Card
- ReNew (ReNEW)
Products and services
- Mobil Lubricants Full line of Mobil-branded lubricants for passenger vehicles, commercial and off-highway vehicles, and industrial sector, including Mobil 1, Mobil Delvac, Mobil SHC, and Mobil Grease products. Distributed as an authorized Mobil/ExxonMobil distributor to commercial, automotive, and industrial customers.
- ProTeck Lubricants McPherson's own private label lubricant brand engineered for quality, superior performance, and greater value. Includes heavy-duty diesel engine oils (15w40 CK-4, 5w40 CK-4, 10w30 CK-4) and passenger car oils (synthetic blends and full synthetic); all API approved. Sold to commercial and industrial customers as a cost-efficient alternative to premium branded lubricants.
- Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Diesel Exhaust Fluid used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions. API certified and meets ISO 22241 specifications. Sold to commercial fleets and commercial vehicle operators.
- Commercial Fuel Diesel and gasoline fuel distribution services including transport fuel, short truck fuel, and fleet fuel delivery throughout the Southeast USA. Distributes approximately 150 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel annually to commercial customers, convenience stores, dealers, and industrial businesses. Fixed fuel contracts available up to 12 months for budget stability.
- Mobil Diesel Efficient Fuel Advanced diesel fuel engineered to improve fuel economy and boost engine performance. Contains cold weather additive (November-March) and patented additive technology for fuel system deposit control and corrosion protection. Demonstrated average 2% fuel economy improvement in Class 8 heavy-duty trucks while reducing NOx emissions.
- Fuelz Fleet Card Fleet fuel management card program providing real-time visibility, fraud protection, customizable controls, and savings up to 15% on fuel expenses. Backed by Fuelman Network and MasterCard Network for nationwide acceptance. Marketed to fleet operators in the Southeastern United States.
- Industrial Engineering Services Part of Total Petroleum Management program providing in-depth plant reviews, reservoir maintenance, storage and handling studies, lubrication trainings, hydraulic inspections, leak studies, gear and bearing inspections, oil analysis, and used oil assessments. Delivered to industrial customers in partnership with ExxonMobil's Mobil Serv Engineering Team (helped reduce bearing failures by 40% at Nucor Steel).
- Reliability Services Contamination control services focused on eliminating preventable lubrication failures through High Velocity Oil Flushing, Varnish Removal, Oil Filtration, Reservoir Cleaning, Lubrication Baseline Reviews, automatic lubrication systems, and oil sampling. Sold to industrial and manufacturing customers to reduce equipment downtime.
- ReNew Recycled Oil Program Oil reclamation and recycling program regenerating used petroleum products to better-than-new specifications. Includes on-site filter and purification systems, dehydrator rental, filter cart rental, and vacuum truck services. Operated by McClean Fuels subsidiary with on-staff chemist and Certified Industrial Specialists.
- Total Petroleum Management (TPM) Comprehensive single-source petroleum management program bundling oils, lubricants, greases, fuel delivery, used oil collection, recycled oils, burner fuel, fuel management cards, petroleum equipment, fixed fuel contracts, and educational training. Sold to commercial and industrial customers seeking one provider for all petroleum needs.
- Petroleum Equipment Total Petroleum Equipment division providing new and used equipment, installation, and maintenance. Authorized distributor for Alemite and Graco; distributor for Tuthill, Liquid Dynamics, and OPW. Offers tanks from 250 gallons to 30,000+ gallons along with monitoring systems and related hardware.
- Mobil Serv Suite of ExxonMobil-branded services including oil analysis, asset management, and total cost of ownership tools. Mobil Serv engineers provide insights and support for equipment lubrication, OEM partnerships, and reliability recommendations. Sold to industrial customers as part of TPM.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduce bearing failures by 40% through industrial engineering services
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use McPherson Companies
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
McPherson Companies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
McPherson Companies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- FleetCorminorIn 2005, McPherson sold its Fuelman franchise to FleetCor. However, McPherson continues to market the Fuelman fuel management program in the Southeastern United States under a continued partnership arrangement.
- BAMA Waste (McClean Fuels)minorIn 2000, McPherson increased its investment in the used oil business with the acquisition of BAMA Waste. TMC rebranded its used oil business as McClean Fuels and has continued to grow and expand its market share in the used oil business.
- ExxonMobil (Mobil)coreMcPherson is an authorized distributor of ExxonMobil and Mobil branded products, meeting stringent requirements for product quality, handling, training, and brand handling. They have won multiple ExxonMobil Circle of Excellence awards. In 1978, Mobil awarded TMC with its lubricant business in central Alabama markets. The company has received numerous distributor awards from ExxonMobil over decades of partnership.
- Shell Oil CompanycoreMcPherson began its lubricant business with Shell awarding the Birmingham, Alabama market to TMC in 1973. They have received multiple Shell awards including Top Volume Award (1998), Outstanding Performance Award (2011, 2015), and celebrated 10-year (1981, 2010) and 20-year (2005) anniversaries with Shell.
- ExxonMobil Mobil Serv Engineering TeamcoreMcPherson partners with ExxonMobil's Mobil Serv Engineering Team to provide industrial engineering and reliability services to customers. This partnership enabled McPherson to help reduce bearing failures by 40% at Nucor Steel through combined technical expertise.
- AlemiteminorAuthorized distributor and installer for Alemite lubricant and fuel equipment.
- GracominorAuthorized distributor and installer for Graco lubricant and fuel equipment.
- TuthillminorDistributor for Tuthill lubricant and fuel equipment.
- Liquid DynamicsminorDistributor for Liquid Dynamics lubricant and fuel equipment.
- OPWminorDistributor for OPW lubricant and fuel equipment.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
McPherson Companies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Heritage-Crystal Clean: Used-oil recycling and industrial lubricant services provider overlapping with McPherson's ReNew recycling and reliability services businesses, with comparable B2B industrial customer focus.
- RelaDyne: One of the largest US independent lubricant and fuel distributors, formed via roll-up acquisitions; directly comparable to McPherson as a multi-regional Mobil/Chevron-aligned lubricant and fuel distributor serving industrial and commercial fleets.
- Petroleum Service Group (PSG): Multi-state petroleum products and services distributor for commercial and industrial customers; comparable in distribution breadth and service-led customer relationships.
- Quarles Petroleum: Regional Mid-Atlantic petroleum products and services distributor offering fuels, lubricants, and fleet services; comparable in business model, customer segments, and value-added services portfolio to McPherson.
- Guttman Oil: Independent regional petroleum distributor serving commercial, retail, and industrial customers with fuels and lubricants; comparable size, customer mix, and ExxonMobil/Shell-style branded supplier relationships.
Regional players
- Palmdale Oil: Southeast US fuel and lubricant distributor with branded products and fleet services; comparable regional focus and product mix, though operating more heavily in Florida.
- Holliday Oil: Southeast-focused fuel and lubricant distributor serving commercial fleets, retail, and industrial accounts; directly comparable regional footprint and product/service mix to McPherson.
- Smitty's Supply: Southeast US lubricant blender and distributor with private-label and branded offerings; comparable private-label (ProTeck analogue) and industrial distribution model, though more concentrated in Louisiana.
Broad incumbents
- Safety-Kleen (Clean Harbors): Used-oil recycling, parts washing, and environmental services provider under Clean Harbors; overlaps with McPherson's ReNew oil reclamation and industrial services businesses at much larger scale.
- Pilot Travel Centers: Nation's largest travel center network with extensive fuel distribution and growing lubricants/services offering; an oversized incumbent that competes with McPherson for fleet fueling accounts across adjacent geographies.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
McPherson Companies social profiles
Digital presenceMcPherson Companies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
McPherson Companies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
McPherson Companies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
McPherson Companies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
McPherson Companies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about McPherson Companies
What does McPherson Companies do?
McPherson Companies distributes Mobil/ExxonMobil and proprietary ProTeck lubricants, commercial gasoline and diesel fuel, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), and petroleum equipment to commercial and industrial customers across the Southeast US. It complements distribution with the Fuelz fleet fuel card, industrial engineering and Mobil Serv oil analysis services, reliability services (contamination control), the ReNew oil recycling program, and the integrated Total Petroleum Management (TPM) single-source service offering.
Is McPherson Companies a public or private company?
McPherson Companies is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was McPherson Companies founded?
McPherson Companies was founded in 1971. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is McPherson Companies based?
McPherson Companies is headquartered in Trussville, United States, in the North America region.
How does McPherson Companies make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Fuel Distribution is the primary driver. The others are lubricants Distribution, diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), fleet Fuel Card (Fuelz), petroleum Equipment Sales and Service, used Oil Recycling (ReNew), industrial Engineering Services and fixed Fuel Contracts.
Who are McPherson Companies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Heritage-Crystal Clean, RelaDyne, Petroleum Service Group (PSG), Quarles Petroleum and Guttman Oil. Regional players are Palmdale Oil, Holliday Oil and Smitty's Supply. Broad incumbents are Safety-Kleen (Clean Harbors) and Pilot Travel Centers.
Does McPherson Companies have an API?
No public API is recorded for McPherson Companies.
What industry is McPherson Companies in?
McPherson Companies's product category is Petroleum Distribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAOAL, Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners), with a secondary code of EUALAIAB, Branded Fuels Wholesaling & Jobber Distribution. Its NAICS code is 42471 and its SIC code is 5171.