como oil & propane
Como Oil & Propane is a private Minnesota-based propane retailer delivering residential, commercial, agricultural, and fleet autogas fuel across Minnesota and Wisconsin as a brand within the ThompsonGas family, the sixth-largest U.S. propane company.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What como oil & propane does
Como Oil & Propane is a private propane delivery and service company founded in 1946 in Northern Minnesota and now operating as a flagship brand within the ThompsonGas, LLC family, the sixth-largest propane company in the United States. The company serves residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and fleet customers across Minnesota and Wisconsin through multiple branch locations (Duluth, Superior, Grand Marais, Barnum, Cable, Minong, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Ashland, Tower) and a 24/7 emergency service operation. Its core products include residential and commercial propane delivery, auto-fill and will-call service, tank monitoring hardware connected to the My Energy Hub customer portal, metered (usage-based) propane, autogas fleet fueling, propane dispensers, temporary heating, and industrial/agricultural supply.
The company's technology stack centers on IoT-enabled tank monitoring rather than software platforms: smart sensors installed on customer tanks transmit fill levels to a mobile app, enabling automatic delivery scheduling and remote level visibility. The My Energy Hub portal and mobile app provide bill pay, account management, and delivery requests, with text-to-pay and phone-pay as additional convenience channels. Revenue is primarily generated through usage-based propane sales (gallons delivered), supplemented by recurring subscription revenue from tank monitoring, pre-buy price-lock programs, and fixed-fee service/maintenance work. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; customer lock-in is created through automatic delivery, prepaid gallons, and installed monitoring hardware. Como markets through direct-to-consumer and direct-to-business channels, referral programs, customer testimonials, and organic Facebook presence, while benefiting from the procurement, logistics, and capital scale of its ThompsonGas parent across 140+ nationwide branches.
como oil & propane firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- como oil & propane
- Legal name
- ThompsonGas, LLC
- Website
- https://comooilandpropane.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Como Oil & Propane is a private Minnesota-based propane retailer delivering residential, commercial, agricultural, and fleet autogas fuel across Minnesota and Wisconsin as a brand within the ThompsonGas family, the sixth-largest U.S. propane company.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
como oil & propane industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Propane Distribution and Energy Services
- NAICS
- Fuel Dealers (4572)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Propane (LP) Gas Line Installation & Conversion (HSAOAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bulk Fuel, Propane & Energy Supply for Farms (Retailer-Operated) (AFABAJAL)
Keywords
como oil & propane business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Propane Sales: Core revenue stream from propane fuel sales to residential and commercial customers, including both will-call and automatic delivery options.
- Tank Installation and Monitoring: Revenue from tank installation fees and optional tank monitoring system subscription services.
- Pre-Buy and Budget Programs: Pre-buy programs allowing customers to purchase propane at locked-in prices, providing revenue predictability and customer lock-in.
- Service and Maintenance: Service revenue from tank maintenance, safety inspections, and emergency repair services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Residential Propane Service |
| Subscription | Annual | Pre-Buy Program |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tank Monitoring Service |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Metered Propane |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels5 records
como oil & propane product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Como Oil & Propane delivers propane fuel and related energy services to residential and commercial customers across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. The company provides automatic and will-call propane delivery, tank installation and monitoring, 24/7 emergency service, autogas fleet fueling, temporary heating, propane dispensers, and industrial/agricultural propane solutions, supported by an online customer portal and mobile app for account management.
Product overview
Como Oil & Propane is a propane service company operating as part of the ThompsonGas family of brands. The company provides a unified portfolio of propane products and services centered around core residential and commercial propane delivery. The primary offerings include Residential Propane and Commercial Propane as the main service lines. Supporting these core services are multiple add-on modules including Tank Monitoring (a smart device integrated with My Energy Hub app for 24/7 level tracking), My Energy Hub (the customer-facing portal and mobile app for account management, bill payment, and tank level viewing), Como Autogas (fleet fuel solutions), Temporary Heating, Propane Dispensers, Industrial & Agricultural Propane, 24/7 Emergency Service, Metered Propane (usage-based pricing), and a Refer a Friend Program. The Tank Monitoring device connects directly to the My Energy Hub mobile platform, enabling automatic delivery scheduling. Customers can choose between automatic fill delivery or will-call service. The company serves the Northland region (Minnesota and Wisconsin) and is headquartered in northern Minnesota, having been in operation since 1946.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Como Autogas: Fleet fueling solutions for school buses, service trucks, and commercial fleets using propane as a cleaner alternative to gasoline and diesel.
Products and services
- Residential Propane Propane delivery and service for homes, powering appliances, heating, water heating, and recreational equipment, targeted at homeowners in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Commercial Propane Propane solutions for businesses including generators, farm equipment, forklifts, construction, restaurants, and agricultural operations.
- Tank Monitoring Smart monitoring device that tracks propane tank levels 24/7 and connects to the My Energy Hub mobile app for automatic delivery and remote monitoring, available to residential and commercial customers.
- Como Autogas Propane fuel solutions for vehicle fleets including on-site fueling stations, lower fuel costs, and fleet support services for schools and businesses.
- Temporary Heating Temporary propane heating solutions for construction sites, greenhouses, job sites, outdoor events, and emergency situations with delivery, installation, and service.
- Propane Dispensers Commercial propane dispensing equipment and stations that enable businesses to offer refueling services with bulk pricing advantages and safety-compliant installations.
- Industrial & Agricultural Propane Propane supply and systems for industrial facilities and agricultural operations including crop drying, irrigation, bulk storage, and on-site fueling solutions.
- 24/7 Emergency Service Round-the-clock emergency propane service for gas leaks, tank issues, and urgent repairs with immediate response, available to residential and commercial customers.
- Metered Propane Pay-for-what-you-use propane service with monthly billing based on actual consumption rather than tank fills, available in select areas.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20,000+ customers switched to metered propane service
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use como oil & propane
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
como oil & propane technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
como oil & propane partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ThompsonGasflagshipComo Oil & Propane is a brand under ThompsonGas family, the sixth-largest propane company in the United States. ThompsonGas provides national resources and supply network backing while Como maintains local brand identity and operations. The ThompsonGas family includes 16 brands and 140+ branch locations nationwide.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
como oil & propane competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ThompsonGas: Como's parent company and the sixth-largest propane distributor in the United States, with 140+ branches across 16 brands. Operates the same core business model (residential/commercial/agricultural propane delivery) but at national scale, providing both a roll-up vehicle and the closest comparable.
- Blossman Gas & Appliance: A privately held regional propane distributor serving the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Highly comparable to Como's regional, family-rooted operating model with mixed residential, commercial, and appliance/service offerings.
- Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. A major publicly traded US propane retailer with a multi-state footprint across residential, commercial, agricultural, and autogas segments. Directly comparable to Como on customer mix, distribution model, and service offerings such as tank monitoring and budget programs.
- AmeriGas Propane (AmeriGas Partners, L.P.): The largest retail propane distributor in the United States, operating thousands of branches nationwide. Directly comparable to Como on residential and commercial propane delivery, tank rental, and national/regional service coverage.
- Paraco Gas: A privately held family-founded propane distributor with a multi-state regional footprint, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Closely comparable to Como in operating philosophy, customer mix, and growth-via-acquisition history.
- Blue Rhino (Ferrellgas): The leading US propane tank-exchange program and a Ferrellgas subsidiary. Comparable to Como's residential propane market and customer base, with an alternative delivery/business model (exchange vs. delivery) that overlaps on grill and outdoor propane demand.
- Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. One of the largest US propane retailers with Blue Rhino tank-exchange brand, serving residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Comparable to Como on propane delivery economics, autogas, and bulk distribution scale.
Broad incumbents
- CHS Inc. A large US farmer-owned cooperative that distributes propane and refined fuels alongside its broader ag energy platform. Overlaps with Como in agricultural propane supply (crop drying, on-farm delivery) and rural fuel logistics, though propane is one segment of a much larger portfolio.
Others
- U-Haul (Propane): Sells propane tank exchange and refill services at its truck/equipment rental locations as a complementary offering. Overlaps with Como in residential and consumer propane demand but operates a fundamentally different core business (vehicle rental) and distribution model.
Regional players
- Superior Propane: Canada's largest propane retailer, operating across residential, commercial, agricultural, and autogas segments. Functionally the Canadian analog of Como/ThompsonGas with an identical service mix, serving as a cross-border comparable for delivery economics and rural heating share.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
como oil & propane social profiles
Digital presencecomo oil & propane financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
como oil & propane leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
como oil & propane funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
como oil & propane 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 como oil & propane
What does como oil & propane do?
Como Oil & Propane delivers propane fuel and related energy services to residential and commercial customers across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. The company provides automatic and will-call propane delivery, tank installation and monitoring, 24/7 emergency service, autogas fleet fueling, temporary heating, propane dispensers, and industrial/agricultural propane solutions, supported by an online customer portal and mobile app for account management.
Is como oil & propane a public or private company?
como oil & propane is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was como oil & propane founded?
como oil & propane was founded in 1946.
How does como oil & propane make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Propane Sales are the primary driver. The others are tank Installation and Monitoring, pre-Buy and Budget Programs and service and Maintenance.
Who are como oil & propane's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ThompsonGas, Blossman Gas & Appliance, Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., AmeriGas Propane (AmeriGas Partners, L.P.), Paraco Gas, Blue Rhino (Ferrellgas) and Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.. CHS Inc. is listed as a broad incumbent. U-Haul (Propane) is listed as an others. Superior Propane is listed as a regional player.
Does como oil & propane have an API?
No public API is recorded for como oil & propane.
What industry is como oil & propane in?
como oil & propane's product category is Propane Distribution and Energy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAOAKAJ, Propane (LP) Gas Line Installation & Conversion, with a secondary code of AFABAJAL, Bulk Fuel, Propane & Energy Supply for Farms (Retailer-Operated). Its NAICS code is 4572 and its SIC code is 5171.