Stern Oil Co Inc

What Stern Oil Co Inc does

Stern Oil Co Inc, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Freeman, South Dakota, is a privately held, family-operated fuel, lubricant, and propane distributor serving commercial, industrial, agricultural, and retail customers across the U.S. Midwest. The company's product portfolio centers on its authorized Mobil distributorship — including Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils, Mobil Delvac heavy-duty lubricants, and industrial and off-highway grades — complemented by its own STERN-branded lubricant line targeted at cost-conscious buyers. Adjacent offerings include fuel and gasoline with proprietary additive expertise, propane distribution, and ancillary products such as anti-freeze and cooling-system fluids.

The business operates a service-enabled distribution model combining direct field sales with a self-service online ordering portal (MyFuelPortal.com) and technical services including Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis for condition monitoring, equipment installation, and tank cleaning. Its customer base spans fleet operators, industrial and manufacturing operations, agricultural end-users, and retail fuel stations, with named accounts including J. Gross Equipment, Patriot Crane, and Border States Cooperative (a jobber/distributor). Stern monetizes through volume-based product sales supplemented by professional service fees, with quote-based pricing for commercial and industrial customers and a pay-as-you-go billing cadence.

Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, supported by a referral program ("Refer & Earn" offering $50 credit per side), email newsletters via Constant Contact, blog content positioning the firm as an industry thought leader, and active engagement with regional trucking, petroleum, and family-business associations. The company has no proprietary technology platform, operates with no disclosed funding, and has recently transitioned leadership to Dan Rausch as President.

Name

Stern Oil Co Inc

Legal name

Stern Oil Company Inc

Website

https://sternoil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Stern Oil Co Inc is a privately held Midwest distributor of Mobil-branded fuels, lubricants, and propane, plus its own STERN lubricant line, serving commercial, industrial, agricultural, and retail customers across the region since 1976.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Petroleum and Lubricant Distribution

NAICS

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

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172), Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171)

akta.pro primary industry

Lubricant Formulation & Blending (Finished Lubricants) (EUALAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial Lubricants (Hydraulics, Gear, Compressor, Turbine, Metalworking) (EUALAJAG)

Keywords

• Fuel distribution
• Lubricant distribution
• Propane distribution
• Petroleum products
• Industrial lubricants

Headquarters

HQ city

Freeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fuel and Gasoline Distribution: Distribution of fuel products including gasoline with additives designed to increase engine and equipment life expectancy. Revenue generated through volume-based sales to commercial, industrial, and retail customers.
2. Lubricants Distribution: Distribution of Mobil branded lubricants (Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils, heavy-duty lubricants) and their own STERN branded lubricant line. Includes automotive, industrial, on-highway, and off-highway lubricant products.
3. Propane Distribution: Propane distribution services to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in the Midwest region.
4. Equipment and Tank Services: Equipment installation services, tank cleaning services, and Mobil Lubricant Analysis services for condition monitoring and preventive maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stern Oil Co Inc is a Midwest fuel, propane, and lubricant distributor headquartered in Freeman, South Dakota. The company distributes Mobil-branded lubricants (Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils, industrial, on-highway and off-highway products) alongside its own STERN-branded lubricant line, plus gasoline and propane. It also delivers value-added services including Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis condition monitoring, equipment installation, and tank cleaning.

Product overview

Stern Oil Co Inc is a fuel and lubricant distribution company offering a comprehensive product portfolio centered on Mobil-branded petroleum products and their own STERN-branded lubricants. The core offering includes Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils, industrial lubricants for on-highway and off-highway applications, and the proprietary STERN Lubricants line for cost-conscious customers. The company also distributes propane and fuel/gasoline energy products. Service offerings include equipment installation, tank cleaning, retail support, and Mobil Serv℠ Lubricant Analysis for condition monitoring. The portfolio is structured as a branded products distribution model with associated field services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STERN Lubricants Stern's own branded lubricant line offering cost-conscious customers an alternative to premium Mobil lubricants, formulated to current specifications and approvals.
• Mobil Automotive Lubricants Full range of Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils and other Mobil automotive lubricants distributed by Stern for automotive customers.
• Industrial Lubricants Mobil industrial lubricants for manufacturing facilities and processing plants where safety, environmental care, and productivity are tied to machine reliability.
• Off-Highway Lubricants Mobil off-highway lubricants formulated for off-highway equipment performance validated through lab and field testing.
• On-Highway Lubricants Mobil heavy-duty on-highway lubricants designed to protect fleet vehicles and reduce garage time.
• Propane Propane distribution service offered to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in the Midwest as part of Stern's energy product portfolio.
• Fuel/Gasoline Fuel and gasoline products with extensive fuel additive expertise to increase engine and equipment life expectancy for commercial, industrial, and retail customers.
• Ancillary Products Ancillary petroleum products such as anti-freeze and cooling system solutions for maintaining smooth machinery operations.
• Mobil Lubricant Analysis Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis condition monitoring service that delivers insights to help fleets prevent unplanned downtime and improve safety, environmental care, and productivity.
• Equipment Installation Services Professional installation services for fuel and lubricant systems supporting commercial and industrial customers.
• Tank Cleaning Tank cleaning services provided as part of Stern's maintenance and operational support portfolio.
• Retail Support Support services designed for retail fuel station operators receiving Stern's fuel products and additive programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased engine and equipment life expectancy through fuel and fuel additive expertise
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mobil (ExxonMobil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized Mobil lubricant distributor offering full range of Mobil products including Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils, Mobil Delvac heavy-duty lubricants, and industrial lubricants. Represents flagship partnership enabling comprehensive lubricant portfolio.
• AGC (American Chemistry Council)minorOthersIndustry association membership demonstrating commitment to chemical industry standards and best practices.
• Marathon ArcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing and rewards partnership with Marathon Arco branded fuel program, potentially offering customer rewards and incentives.
• South Dakota Trucking AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partnership providing networking, advocacy, and market visibility within the trucking sector.
• PFBA (Petroleum/Family Business Association)minorOthersFamily business association membership indicating company ownership structure and industry community engagement.
• SDPPMAminorOthersState petroleum marketing association membership for industry networking and advocacy.
• MEG CorpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional energy/lubricant company partnership for distribution or product collaboration.
• Nebraska Trucking AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partnership providing market access and networking within Nebraska trucking sector.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Superior Lubricants: Independent lubricant blender and distributor focused on regional and industrial accounts. Comparable in offering private-label and branded lubricants to commercial customers.

Regional players

• CountryMark: Indiana-based fuel and lubricant cooperative serving agricultural and rural Midwest customers. Comparable in product mix and customer verticals with overlapping regional presence.

Direct peers

• Petroleum Service Group (PSG): Multi-state fuel and lubricant distributor with comparable wholesale distribution model and industrial/fleet customer segments.
• Brenner Oil Company: Midwest regional fuel and lubricant distributor offering Mobil and private-label products to commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers. Directly comparable product mix and customer segments.
• MFA Oil Company: Large Midwest fuel, propane, and lubricant distributor serving agricultural and commercial customers. Comparable multi-product distribution model with regional concentration.
• COOP Petroleum: Midwest regional petroleum distributor offering fuels, lubricants, and propane to agricultural and commercial customers. Closely aligned product mix and target geography.
• James River Petroleum: Regional fuel and lubricant distributor serving Midwest commercial and industrial accounts. Comparable product portfolio and distribution-led business model.
• FS Cooperative (Growmark): Midwest agricultural cooperative system distributing fuel, propane, and lubricants to farm and rural customers. Overlapping customer base in agriculture and small-town commercial accounts.

Broad incumbents

• World Fuel Services: Global fuel and lubricant marketer and distributor serving commercial, industrial, and aviation customers. Operates in same petroleum distribution space at significantly larger scale.
• ExxonMobil (Lubricants Division): Parent supplier of Mobil lubricants that Stern distributes. Comparable in product portfolio but at global manufacturing scale rather than regional distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Oil Co Inc