CELEBRATING 75 YEARS

As we celebrate 75 years in business, we're reflecting on the defining moments, big and small, that have shaped our company since 1949.

We've embraced change as an opportunity and have proactively adapted to the evolving wave of energy solutions. We are honoured to continue to serve our communities and customers with safety, innovation, and continuous improvement at the forefront of what we do. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your home, business, and future.

Our values have been the foundation of our success as a fuel distributor. We still genuinely care as much as we did back in 1949 and are committed to building trust, embracing ambition, and upholding exceptional service for years to come.

The Early Years

Allan and Lucy McDougall mark the beginning of a family legacy intertwined with the petroleum industry. Together, they had five children: Bryan, Camilla, Burnley, Mary Jane, and Tim.

The Early Years

The McDougall family's journey in the petroleum business began in 1945 when Allan started working for Imperial Oil.

The Move to Thessalon, Ontario

In 1949, Allan, Lucy, and their children relocated to Thessalon, Ontario, where Allan became the Regional Esso Fuel Agent.

The Move to Thessalon, Ontario

It was then that McDougall Fuels was born, a small but promising enterprise that would grow and adapt over the following decades.

Growing the Business

In 1968, Allan and Lucy’s son Bryan became a burner service agent and an Esso associate, introducing home heating to the company’s portfolio. This move broadened the services McDougall Fuels could offer to its customers.

Second Generation Leadership

Allan retired after 23 years, passing the family business on to Bryan and his wife, Joy, in 1972. Bryan and Joy McDougall enthusiastically took over the business. They were a dynamic duo dedicated to maintaining and expanding the company's success.

Second Generation Leadership

Under their leadership, the company saw significant growth, including the amalgamation with the Esso agency in Blind River, Ontario, effectively doubling its size. Together, they raised three children: Chris, Darren, and Jennifer.

McDougall Fuels enters
Sault Ste. Marie

In 1987, McDougall Fuels expanded its operations by purchasing Esso agencies from Imperial Oil along the North Shore and in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario followed by Elliot Lake, Ontario the subsequent year. These moves established McDougall Fuels as a prominent Esso-branded reseller.

The Third generation begins

The third generation of family leadership didn't miss a beat and continued the company's growth with multiple acquisitions in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and the North Shore.

Early 2000s

In 2005, McDougall Fuels opened its first corporately owned Esso gas station and convenience location in Sault Ste. Marie, marking the first of many retail stations across Ontario.

McDougall Fuels rebrands to McDougall Energy

McDougall Fuels changed its name to McDougall Energy Inc. to reflect the company's growth and expansion and its many ventures over the years.

McDougall Energy is recognized among Canada's best-managed companies

In 2011, McDougall Energy was recognized as one of Canada's Best-Managed Companies for the first time, a title it would hold consecutively for years to come.

Celebrating 75 Years in Business

In 2024, McDougall Energy celebrates its 75th anniversary in business as a trusted energy provider. As we celebrate, we recommit to the values that have guided us throughout the years and look forward to connecting our customers with the energy solutions of today and tomorrow for years to come.