Blossman Gas Bulk Plant

HISTORY

1950’s

Early Years

1951

Woodrow “Woody” Blossman founded Blossman Gas in 1951. He moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast after his brother, who operated a large propane company in Covington, LA, sold his Gulfport and Pascagoula, MS stores to him.

1951

Woodrow “Woody” Blossman founded Blossman Gas in 1951. He moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast after his brother, who operated a large propane company in Covington, LA, sold his Gulfport and Pascagoula, MS stores to him.

1952

Two new branch locations. One located in Pascagoula, Mississippi and the other branch opened in D’Iberville (Biloxi), MS.

1956

The company expanded its services to the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast, with offices and storage facilities in four coast cities, Gulfport, Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis.

1958

One new branch location added. Another expansion from Pascagoula into Theodore, AL.

1958

Purchased Byrd Butane Co. out of Sanford, North Carolina.

By the end of 1950s, Blossman had expanded into 9 different locations.
1960’s

John Blossman Takes Over

1960

Blossman purchased Bowden Butane in Georgia.

1960

Two new branch locations. One located in Pascagoula, Mississippi and the other branch opened in D’Iberville (Biloxi), MS.

1965

Bob Mayer was hired as Treasurer of Blossman Gas and would go on to work for the company for 35 years after retiring as president.

1965

Bob Mayer was hired as Treasurer of Blossman Gas and would go on to work for the company for 35 years after retiring as president.

1969

John Blossman, son of Woodrow, joined the company to serve as president. Woodrow stayed on as chairman of the board.

1969

John Blossman, son of Woodrow, joined the company to serve as president. Woodrow stayed on as chairman of the board.

By the end of the 1960s, Blossman had expanded to 14 Branches.
1970’s

Growth Throughout Alabama

1971

John Blossman stepped aside for two years to serve in the U.S. Army. He returned to the company towards the end of 1971.

1971

John Blossman stepped aside for two years to serve in the U.S. Army. He returned to the company towards the end of 1971.

1974

Blossman offered its first retirement plan to its employees.

Mid 1970s

In the mid-1970s, Blossman acquired Pargas stores in Gulfport and Pascagoula, MS, as well as Cal Gas location in Jackson, AL.

1975

Management focused on market growth throughout Alabama. Blossman acquired locations in Atmore, Frisco City, Fairhope, and Grove Hill.

1978

Blossman purchased their largest competitor on the Mississippi coast, Supertane Gas. Branches were open in Vancleave and Wiggins, MS.

By the end of the 1970s, Blossman had expanded to 25 Branches.
1980’s

Blossman Embraces Computerized Technology

1980s

Blossman had been one of the first propane marketers to embrace the National Propane Gas Association’s GAS Check Program, which brought a new level of customer safety to the propane industry.

1981

The federal government lifted energy controls and Blossman Gas took a leadership role in the propane industry in the Southeast.

1983

Blossman acquired American Butane in Laurel, MS, and Heart of Dixie in Wedowee, AL.

1985

Blossman entered the Florida market with the acquisition of Alpha Gas Company, in Pensacola.

1985

Blossman was the first multi-state propane marketer to have all of its locations tied together with a real-time computerized management information system.

Blossman opened 28 new retail locations throughout the 1980s.
1990’s

Expansion in North Carolina & Tennessee

1990s

The 1990s began on a sad note, Blossman Gas founder and Chairman E.W. Blossman passed away on February 26, 1990. John Blossman assumed the duties of Chairman and appointed Bob Mayer as president.

1992

Stuart Weidie, current CEO of Blossman, began his career with the company joining the management trainee program under Jessie Johnson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

1992

Stuart Weidie, current CEO of Blossman, began his career with the company joining the management trainee program under Jessie Johnson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

1992

It was a busy year of startups and acquisitions for Blossman. Locations in Anderson and Walhalla, SC, were opened as well as branches in Sylva and Burnsville, NC. Blossman also opened its first store in Tennessee (Cleveland, TN).

1992

It was a busy year of startups and acquisitions for Blossman. Locations in Anderson and Walhalla, SC, were opened as well as branches in Sylva and Burnsville, NC. Blossman also opened its first store in Tennessee (Cleveland, TN).

1994

Blossman continued to expand by opening stores in Waynesville and Gastonia, NC, as well as it’s second store in Tennessee (Elizabethton, TN).

1994

Tammy Thompson joined the Blossman Gas Home Office as a Programmer. She led the company to major advancements in computer software and currently serves as IT Director.

1996

Leadership pinpointed the company’s growth potential in the northern halves of Alabama and Georgia, the western halves of North Carolina, and the eastern section of Tennessee.

Blossman opened 25 new retail locations throughout the 1990s.
2000’s

Taking Care of Customers

2001

After Bob Mayer retired, Start Weidie was named President and CEO of Blossman Gas.

2001

After Bob Mayer retired, Start Weidie was named President and CEO of Blossman Gas.

2005

In August, Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was the worst natural catastrophe in the history of The United States, severely impacting the Blossman Home Office and fifteen branches. The massive volunteer effort by employees enabled Blossman to barely miss a beat, and re-open in record time to serve its customers and provide propane and equipment services to the thousands of government and non-profit relief agencies.

2005

In August, Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was the worst natural catastrophe in the history of The United States, severely impacting the Blossman Home Office and fifteen branches. The massive volunteer effort by employees enabled Blossman to barely miss a beat, and re-open in record time to serve its customers and provide propane and equipment services to the thousands of government and non-profit relief agencies.

2008

Blossman acquired the propane operations of Home Pride Services, Inc., in Weyers Cave, VA.

2009

In March, John Blossman passed away. He had a long, courageous battle with cancer, leaving the entire company in mourning for “one of the kindest men to ever live”.

2012

Al Allen retired as Vice President in 2012 after serving for over 40 years on the Blossman Management Team.

Going into the second decade of the 21st century, Blossman had 60 retail locations.
2010’s

Blossman Forms Alliance AutoGas

2010

Led by Stuart Weidie, Blossman formed Alliance AutoGas, America’s only complete program to transition fleets to autogas. Autogas is the common name for propane when used as a vehicle fuel.

2010

Led by Stuart Weidie, Blossman formed Alliance AutoGas, America’s only complete program to transition fleets to autogas. Autogas is the common name for propane when used as a vehicle fuel.

2012

Blossman expanded into the Miami, FL market with its acquisition of Green Tech Energy Solutions.

2013

Blossman Services, Inc., the distribution partner of Alliance AutoGas, became the exclusive United States distributor of Westport’s Prins Autogas products.

2014

Alliance AutoGas and Blossman Services, Inc. opened their Alliance AutoGas Research & Development Center in Asheville, NC.

2001

Alliance AutoGas and Blossman Services, Inc. opened their Alliance AutoGas Research & Development Center in Asheville, NC.

2014

Blossman had 5 acquisitions including Ankney Propane Plus in Ocala, FL, Palmetto Gas in Hilton Head, SC, Lassetter Propane in Newnan, Ga, Blue Flame Gas in Douglasville, GA, Dade Gas in Lafayette, GA, and Dixie Gas in West Chesterfield, VA.

2018

COO David Reynolds signing the agreement to bring the first Renewable Propane gallons in history to Blossman Gas customers.

2010

COO David Reynolds signing the agreement to bring the first Renewable Propane gallons in history to Blossman Gas customers.

Blossman ended the decade with over 70 retail locations throughout it’s footprint.
2020’s

Moving Into the Future

2020

Alliance AutoGas saw tremendous growth in recent years. To comply with clean air and emissions standards, all alternative fuel system manufacturers are required to obtain EPA Certificates of Conformity.

2020

Alliance AutoGas announced it had been awarded 253 EPA Certificates of Conformity and 58 Intermediate Age Vehicle Notifications, certifying over 1,300 vehicles.

2021

As the country is persevering through COVID-19, Blossman Gas is taking extra measures to keep our communities safe, including the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when out in the field. Blossman continues to encourage customers to pay online or through the app.

2021

Blossman sold the first Warm Front Window Heater, a groundbreaking new zone heating product that provides portable heat to spaces up 1,000 sq. ft.