Petroleum & Petroleum Products Wholesalers Industry Profile

The US petroleum wholesale distribution industry includes about 5,700 companies with annual revenue of about $765billion. Revenue can vary significantly from year to year with the price of crude oil. Major companies include Getty Petroleum Marketing, Global Partners, Mansfield Oil, Statoil Marketing & Trading, and World Fuel Services. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate more than 70 percent of revenue.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for petroleum comes mainly from auto and truck use and home heating. Profitability is determined by the efficiency of operations. Most companies are local and operate a single "bulk station" (tank farm), although the large companies may operate a dozen facilities and serve several states. Large wholesale purchasers generally can negotiate bigger price discounts from suppliers and spread the cost of bulk holding facilities over a larger number of gallons. The industry is capital-intensive: average annual revenue per employee is over $7 million.

An economic recession or dramatic price fluctuations, such as those that occurred in the first half of 2008, reduce demand for gasoline. Concerns about US dependency on foreign fuel and environmental issues also impact demand. Any decline in demand can adversely affect petroleum distributors.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Products include gas (more than 40 percent of industry revenue), diesel fuel and heating oil (about 20 percent), and propane, jet fuel, kerosene, and lubricants. Diesel fuel and heating oil are collectively called "no. 2 distillates."

Operations include storing, transporting, and ...