Stern

What Stern does

Stern is a family-owned regional distributor of fuels, lubricants, and propane headquartered in Freeman, South Dakota, serving commercial and industrial customers across five Midwestern states (South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Minnesota). Founded in 1976 as Stern Oil Company and rebranded in 2020 to Stern, the company operates through seven owned service and warehouse locations, a dedicated delivery fleet, a jobber/reseller network, an online ordering portal, and native mobile apps for iOS and Android. Its revenue streams include transactional sales of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel, premium Atomic Diesel, P40, gasoline, propane, diesel exhaust fluid, antifreeze, and a proprietary line of STERN-branded lubricants; subscription propane programs (Stay-Full, E-Z Pay, Summer Stock-Up) with tank monitoring; and value-added services such as Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis, the proprietary Fuel Kleen pneumatic tank-polishing service, equipment installation, plant studies, and education/training.

Stern has been an authorized Mobil Lubricants distributor since 1983 and is recognized by ExxonMobil as a top-performing distributor in North America. The company serves more than 2,000 customers across agriculture, construction, highway trucking/fleet, industrial/manufacturing, propane (residential and commercial), and retail fuel station verticals, supported by vertical-specific sales representatives and partnerships with Marathon, Shell, NuRev Group, MEG Corp, Steer, and regional trucking associations. Documented customer outcomes include oil drain intervals extended from 30,000 to 60,000-80,000 miles, a 35-fold improvement in bearing life for a construction fleet, 3% fuel economy improvement, and quantification-based tank-cleaning and oil-analysis savings.

The business model is hybrid: transactional commodity distribution (fuels, lubricants, DEF, antifreeze, branded retail fuel) layered with recurring-revenue subscriptions (propane tank monitoring and budget billing) and professional services (oil analysis, tank cleaning, equipment installation, plant studies, training). Leadership transitioned in 2023-2024 with Dan Rausch moving from CFO/Chief Strategy Officer to President alongside Scott Stern as CEO and owner; the company has no institutional investors, no public listing, and no disclosed parent entity, maintaining private family ownership after nearly five decades.

Name

Stern

Legal name

Stern Oil Company, Inc.

Website

https://stern.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Stern is a family-owned regional distributor of fuels, lubricants, propane, and technical services headquartered in Freeman, South Dakota, serving 2,000+ commercial, agricultural, industrial, and residential customers across five Midwestern states through company delivery, jobbers, and digital channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fuel and Lubricant Distribution

NAICS

Fuel Dealers (4572), Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710), Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging, Filling & Private Label / Contract Manufacturing (EUALAJAD), Gear Oils & Transmission Fluids (IMAEAMAE), Automotive Coolant & Refrigerant Circuit Components (Pumps/Valves/Reservoirs/Expansion Devices) (IMACALAE)

Keywords

• Fuel distribution services
• Lubricant distribution
• Propane delivery programs
• Petroleum products wholesale
• Mobil lubricants distributor

Headquarters

HQ city

Freeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fuel Sales: Sale of diesel fuels (ULSD, Atomic Diesel, P40, dyed diesel), gasoline (unleaded, with ethanol), and kerosene to fleet operators, agricultural businesses, construction companies, and retailers.
2. Lubricant Sales: Sale of proprietary STERN-branded lubricants and Mobil lubricants including automotive oils, industrial lubricants, hydraulic fluids, transmission fluids, and greases to various commercial and industrial customers.
3. Propane Sales and Services: Propane delivery and related programs (Stay-Full, E-Z Pay, Summer Stock-Up, Will Call) for residential and commercial customers, including tank monitoring and safety inspections.
4. Technical Services: Value-added services including oil analysis, tank cleaning (Fuel Kleen), equipment installation, plant studies, and education/training programs that support the core product business.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stern is a Midwest distributor of fuels (ultra-low sulfur diesel, premium Atomic Diesel, P40, gasoline, kerosene), propane, and lubricants, operating as an authorized Mobil Lubricants distributor under its own STERN-branded cost-conscious lubricant line. The company complements physical product distribution with value-added services including Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis, Fuel Kleen tank polishing, equipment installation, plant studies, training, and retail support for branded fuel stations.

Product overview

Stern is a comprehensive energy products and services company operating as a platform-plus-services model. The core offering consists of physical energy products including Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel, Atomic Diesel, P40 Diesel, Gasoline, and Propane, complemented by a full line of STERN-branded and Mobil lubricants (automotive, industrial, off-highway, on-highway). These products are supported by value-added services including Mobil Serv™ Lubricant Analysis, Fuel Kleen tank polishing, equipment installation, plant studies, education/training programs, and retail support services. The company also offers fuel additives (Petro Complete, Polar Thaw, Polar Complete) and ancillary fluids (DEF, antifreeze). The portfolio combines company-branded cost-conscious options with premium Mobil-branded products, creating a tiered offering for different customer segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STERN Lubricants: Company-branded line of lubricants formulated with the latest specifications and approvals for cost-conscious customers.

Products and services

• Diesel and Gasoline Fuels Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), premium Atomic Diesel (cold- and warm-weather formulations), P40 (No. 1/No. 2 blend), standard gasoline (unleaded and unleaded with ethanol), and kerosene distributed to fleet operators, agricultural businesses, construction companies, and retailers via company-owned delivery trucks.
• STERN Branded Lubricants Company-branded line of lubricants formulated with latest specifications and approvals for cost-conscious customers, including hydraulic fluids, heavy duty engine oils, passenger car motor oils, transmission fluids, gear oils, and industrial oils in M-Series and P-Series formulations.
• Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oils Full range of leading-edge synthetic Mobil 1 motor oils distributed under Stern's Authorized Mobil Lubricants distributorship, including Annual Protection, High Mileage, Extended Performance, and standard formulations for automotive and consumer-vehicle applications.
• Mobil Delvac Heavy-Duty Lubricants Mobil Delvac heavy-duty lubricants engineered to protect commercial fleets and on-highway vehicles, including Mobil Delvac 1300 Super, Mobil Delvac Extreme, and Mobil Delvac 1 products with extended drain interval capabilities for trucking and commercial transportation customers.
• Mobil Delvac Off-Highway Lubricants Mobil lubricants engineered for off-highway equipment including construction machinery, with extended drain intervals up to 2,000 hours and up to 45% better wear protection, delivered to construction and heavy-equipment operators.
• Mobil Industrial Lubricants Industrial oils and greases developed jointly with leading equipment builders, including Mobil SHC synthetic lubricants and Mobil Grease-branded products for extended drain intervals, equipment reliability, and contamination control in industrial and manufacturing facilities.
• Propane Delivery Programs Propane supply and delivery subscription programs (Stay-Full tank monitoring, E-Z Pay monthly budget billing, Summer Stock-Up seasonal pricing, and Will Call pay-as-you-go ordering) for residential heating, commercial operations, and grain drying, with 10-point annual inspection and $50 Stay-Full tank-empty credit.
• Fuel Kleen Tank Polishing Service Service that uses a proprietary pneumatic system to remove unwanted microbes, sediment, and water from stored fuel without causing emulsification, phase separation, or the safety risks associated with electric polishing systems, supporting fuel quality and reliability for diesel and gasoline storage customers.
• Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis Program Oil sampling and analysis program that combines routine sampling with high-quality lubricant analysis, online equipment registration management, proprietary test control limits, and configurable analysis types to increase equipment uptime, improve reliability, and enable predictive maintenance for fleet, consumer, and business equipment.
• Equipment Installation Services Turnkey installation solutions for antifreeze, DEF, fuel, lubricant, and propane systems covering system design, equipment sourcing, installation, testing, calibration, and ongoing maintenance for commercial, industrial, and retail customers.
• Plant Studies and Consulting Facility assessment services covering product selection, leakage control, material handling efficiencies, energy-saving opportunities, contamination control, and fluid cleanliness optimization for industrial and commercial plant operations.
• Education and Training Programs Training programs covering antifreeze/coolants, fundamentals of lubrication, grease applications, emissions compliance, oil analysis, DEF, fuels, and engine/transmission oil requirements, supporting customer teams in safety, regulatory, and operational best practices.
• Retail Fuel Station Support Services Branded fuel supply and marketing support for retail fuel station operators, including Marathon and Shell branded fuel options, marketing and promotions assistance, dealer brand value enhancement, and legislation/regulation support via the NuRev Group marketing partnership.
• Fuel and Propane Regulatory Services Tank inspections, equipment leak detection tests, and compliance assistance for new propane and fuel storage installations regarding storage tank distances, point-of-transfer distances, and plumbing requirements.
• Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) High-quality Diesel Exhaust Fluid distributed at wholesale pricing to reduce pollution from diesel vehicles by more than 90% via Selective Catalytic Reduction systems, for fleet and on-highway diesel operators.
• Antifreeze and Coolant Products Anti-freeze and coolant products that protect machinery systems from overheating and freezing, reducing maintenance costs, downtime, and extending machinery life across commercial and industrial customer equipment.
• Fuel Additives (Petro Complete, Polar Thaw, Polar Complete) Specialized fuel additives including Petro Complete all-season diesel treatment (deposit, corrosion, water, and wear protection; 2-3x longer storage), Polar Thaw diesel de-icing, and Polar Complete full-spectrum winter diesel additive (1 gallon treats 1,000 gallons).

Quantifiable outcome

• Extended oil drain intervals up to 60,000-80,000 miles (from OEM-recommended 30,000 miles) using Mobil Delvac products
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Mobil Lubricants (Nebraska Expansion)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Stern Co. was selected as the Authorized Mobil Lubricants distributor in the state of Nebraska, expanding their authorized territory. This follows their long and successful relationship with Mobil since 1983.
• Mobil (ExxonMobil)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1983Stern signed its first Mobil Lubricants Distributor contract in 1983. As an authorized Mobil distributor, Stern offers the full line of Mobil lubricants including Mobil 1, Mobil Delvac, Mobil SHC, and provides access to Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis program. Stern was also selected as the Authorized Mobil Lubricants distributor for Nebraska state.
• NuRev GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership providing marketing services to Stern customers including Google My Business optimization, text/mobile marketing, and social media management. NuRev specializes in gas and oil industry marketing.
• Marathon (Branded Fuel)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarathon branded gasoline is certified Top Tier, providing higher levels of STP detergent additive. Stern offers Marathon branded fuel at retail stations as part of their retail support program.
• Shell (Branded Fuel)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShell branded fuel offered through Stern's retail support program. Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years with retail stations in all 50 states.
• Steer (Mechanic Advisor)supportingTechnology or IntegrationAutomated marketing and communications platform (CRM) partnered with Mobil to help automotive shops improve customer experience. Shops using Steer see average 31% lift in overall sales. Special discounts available through Stern.
• MEG CorpsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEG Corp partnership for industrial and commercial fuel solutions. Listed as one of Stern's partners in their service offerings.
• South Dakota Trucking AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partnership supporting trucking sector customers in South Dakota.
• Nebraska Trucking AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partnership supporting trucking sector customers in Nebraska.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rhoads Energy: Regional Mid-Atlantic fuel, lubricant, and propane distributor serving commercial, agricultural, and residential customers. Closely comparable business model to Stern (direct delivery, branded fuels, lubricants, propane programs), though operating in a different geography.
• Mansfield Energy: Regional fuel and lubricant distributor serving commercial and industrial customers across multiple U.S. regions. Directly comparable business model (direct delivery, branded and unbranded fuels/lubricants, value-added services) to Stern, though at larger geographic scale.
• Suburban Propane Partners: National propane distribution company serving residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Direct overlap with Stern's propane subscription programs (Stay-Full, E-Z Pay) and grain-drying customer base, though at substantially larger scale.
• Western States Oil: Lubricant distributor supplying branded and private-label motor oils and industrial lubricants to commercial customers. Directly comparable in lubricant distribution mechanics to Stern, particularly Stern's STERN-branded lubricant offering.
• Ferrellgas Partners: Public propane distribution company serving residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across the U.S. Overlaps with Stern's propane delivery business and ag customer base, with comparable subscription/budget-billing program structure.

Broad incumbents

• CHS Inc. One of the largest U.S. agricultural cooperatives, with energy distribution (propane, fuels, lubricants) as a major business segment. Comparable in product mix and ag customer focus to Stern, but operates at national scale and includes refining, renewable fuels, and grain handling.
• Growmark: Large Midwestern agricultural cooperative providing energy, fuel, and lubricant distribution to farmer-members across multiple states. Overlaps with Stern's agriculture-heavy customer mix and Midwest territory, but operates as a cooperative with broader service portfolio.
• Pilot Travel Centers / Pilot Flying J: Largest North American travel center network selling diesel and gasoline to trucking fleets at scale. Comparable in highway/fleet customer focus to Stern's trucking segment, but competes via retail network rather than direct delivery distribution model.
• Love's Travel Stops: National travel stop chain with extensive diesel and lubricant offerings for long-haul trucking. Comparable in highway/fleet customer base to Stern but operates retail locations rather than a direct B2B distribution model.
• AmeriGas Partners: Largest U.S. retail propane distributor serving residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Comparable propane delivery and tank-monitoring model to Stern, with national scale and strong brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/SternCompany
• Facebookfacebook.com/SternCompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stern-inc/about

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stern