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May, 1953, Mr. Dwight Wilmoth opened a gas station serving a small community in Mt. Vernon, Missouri of approximately 3500 population. Services included a 2 pump gas station, tire repair and washing cars. Mr. Wilmoth was the owner, operator and the only employee. That was the beginning!
From that start and the dedication of Mr. Wilmoth, the Wilmoth Companies grew and expanded over the years. Through his hard working ethic, Mr. Wilmoth taught his 2 sons that working hard was a pleasure and it was also an opportunity to build a business that was beneficial to the community as well as to the family. Greg Wilmoth, the elder son of Dwight, bought into the company in the early 1980’s.
That small gas station became a 12 island full service truck stop in approximately 1965 located on Interstate 44 still in that small Mt. Vernon community and being one of the largest employers in Lawrence County, Missouri.
In 1987, the family purchased Nick’s Transport, Inc which operated at that time 5 petroleum transports. Nick’s Transport Inc. was sold in January, 2008 transferring titles to 86 trucks and 113 petroleum trailers to the new owners.
In 1991, Brent Wilmoth, Son of Dwight and brother of Greg, purchased a portion of the company further continuing the family tradition of this organization.
Ozark Mountain Energy Inc., (formerly known as Ozark Mountain Petroleum, Inc.) was born in 1991. At that time, the family was buying direct from various suppliers for their own locations and understanding the impact of the petroleum industry, they proceeded to develop a wholesale fuel operation that hopefully would affect the local area and the pricing of that fuel to the advantage of their customers. Sales in 1991 were approximately 15,000,000 gallons. Through dedication, hard work and as the old saying goes “pounding the pavement”, sales are currently being made in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska to retail outlets as well as trucking companies and other end users and outlets. Sales projection for 2015 is approximately 175,000,000 gallons. In addition, we are branded jobber for Conoco/Phillips 66, Gulf, Cenex and Sinclair.
In 1997, the family purchased the Unocal truck stop located in Strafford, Missouri and after a remodel, re-naming, and addition of several fast food services; it is one of the best full service truck stops on I-44 today.
2010 brought us back into the trucking industry, currently operating 15 trucks and 18 trailers hauling gasoline, diesel and propane under the name Petroleum Express Inc. We currently haul in Southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas serving our wholesale fuel customers with our own fleet. Thus providing the best service possible and committed to prompt, timely, and accurate deliveries.
Our staff is a proud group of people who have shown us dedication over the years. We currently have 198 employees in all our operations. Of those employees 10 employees have been employed 20 plus years and another 20 employees 10 plus years with a number of retired employees who served more than 25 years. We take pride in the fact that our organization has proved to be a place people want to remain employed and take the same pride in providing customer service as the owners.
We have the most current and up to date software in the industry for processing of paperwork and will continue to upgrade our accounting as technology evolves.
Ozark Mountain Energy expanded our wholesale business, supplying reliable gasoline and diesel to more gas stations and convenience stores.
Currently, the 3rd generation has entered the businesses. Mr. Dwight Wilmoth, age 81 and still working every day and oversees their training. Mr. Wilmoth is dedicated to teaching the 3rd generation the importance of good work ethic, dedication, and customer service.
Under the ownership of Dwight, Greg, and Brent Wilmoth, The Wilmoth Companies has expanded at a positive and controlled rate. This expansion has been accomplished by practicing the company’s motto: “PRIDE IN OUR SERVICE.”
We continue to adapt to the changes in the trucking and petroleum industry in order to remain a premium carrier and supplier within its niche.
