SAULT STE. MARIE — Feb. 28, 2022: Two of Ontario's largest family-owned fuel and lubricant distributors have finalized an agreement that welcomes Dowler-Karn Limited (“Dowler-Karn”) to McDougall Energy Inc. and Group of Companies ("McDougall Energy"). This acquisition, which was previously announced on Oct. 29, 2021, closed on Feb. 28, 2022.
This unique opportunity allows McDougall Energy to acquire one of the best family-owned and managed petroleum businesses in Canada, which will add significant scale to its business in southwestern Ontario.
McDougall Energy and Dowler-Karn are proud to be third-generation, family-owned, Canadian businesses with similar origins and values. With over 150 years of combined industry experience, McDougall Energy and Dowler-Karn have established strong reputations as reliable and customer-focused service providers in the communities they operate within.
Dowler-Karn is a family-owned fuels, propane, and lubricants distributor, supplying products to customers across Ontario. They are pioneers in propane distribution and storage facility construction. With over 78 years in business, Dowler-Karn services over 18,000 residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial customers from eight fuel, propane, and lubricant plants and nine 24-hour fuel access centres across southwestern Ontario. Through this acquisition, Dowler-Karn will continue to operate under its family name and management as a division of McDougall Energy Inc. Customers will continue to be serviced by the company’s team in the regions they operate within, maintaining the reputation that has been built over the years.
“The acquisition of Dowler-Karn brings two 70-plus-year-old family businesses together,” says Darren McDougall, president of McDougall Energy Inc. “This unique opportunity allows us to acquire one of the best family-owned and managed petroleum businesses in Canada and will add significant scale to our business in southwestern Ontario. It is an honour and a privilege to welcome the Karn family, and the entire Dowler-Karn team, to McDougall Energy Inc. and Group of Companies.”
Established in 1949, McDougall Energy is a third-generation, family-owned Canadian business headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. As one of the largest and most diversified, 100 per cent family-owned fuel and lubricant marketers and distributors in Canada, McDougall Energy has local offices across Ontario and team members in Western Canada. Family values and community-mindedness remain essential to its success and guide business decisions. Each local office is staffed by team members who live and work in the communities they operate within. McDougall Energy is committed to continuing to build and maintain strong customer relationships in new and existing markets.
“Deciding to sell Dowler-Karn was a very difficult decision, but choosing to sell it to McDougall Energy was not,” says David Karn, president of Dowler-Karn Limited. “After all, they are a third-generation family-owned and operated business, built on similar values as Dowler-Karn, which makes this a perfect fit. The talents and strengths of our teams will position our combined organization in a trajectory of continued success for years to come."
No service interruptions are anticipated during this transition. Dowler-Karn staff members, including members of the Karn family, will remain with the business and continue to operate its facilities on a day-to-day basis. Dowler-Karn customers are encouraged to contact their local office or service representative if they have any questions or for more information.
About McDougall Energy Inc.
McDougall Energy Inc. is a privately owned, third-generation Canadian family business that has been serving households, businesses, motorists, and wholesale energy customers since 1949. The company is a trusted distributor and marketer of propane, Esso, and Shell fuel products and lubricants. McDougall Energy offers its products and services across the country with local offices and teams in Ontario and Western Canada. The company owns a network of Esso and Shell branded retail stations and its own proprietary Pump retail brand. McDougall Energy Inc. has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for ten consecutive years, achieving Best Managed Platinum Member status.
