Company History

In early 1989 Lou Paquette, who already had success at a few different businesses, decided it was time to start another venture. He bought a used oil truck and began delivering heating oil and off road diesel to family and friends. This was the beginning of Lou's Fuel Service.

Over the next few years, in addition to delivering oil, he went to school and got his burner license in order to provide service to the vast array of customers he was developing. He and his wife Sheila operated from the basement office in their home. The company enjoyed a fine reputation and continued to flourish and prosper. He ensured that he and his employees lived up to his motto of "We'll Treat You Right"

By 2002, Lou had grown the business to the point where he needed additional garage and office space and secured the property at 962 Southampton Road in Westfield. This facility is the current headquarters for Fuel Services, Inc.

By the winter of 2004, Lou and Sheila decided that it was time to take a step back and spend some more time with their grandchildren and made the difficult decision to divest themselves of ownership of the company. In July of 2005, Lou and Sheila sold Lou's Fuel Service to Steve Chase, a man with 30 years of experience in the oilheat industry. Recognizing the need for future growth, Steve changed the name of the business to Fuel Services, Inc. soon after. Lou and Sheila remained as part time employees.

In October of 2006, Fuel Services acquired Tom's Fuel Oil Company from Tom and Debbie Eckert of Chicopee. Debbie joined Fuel Services as a full time customer service representative and Tom as a part time oil driver.

In April 2007, Fuel Services acquired South Hadley Fuel Oil Company from Mike Gosselin and Lori Joslyn. Fuel Services continues to operate at their 95 Main Street South Hadley location in addition to the Westfield location. Steve asked the existing staff to remain as employees. Mike and Lori stayed on as part time employees of Fuel Services.

In August 2007, another acquisition was completed when Steve purchased the customer list of Holyoke based Alliance Energy Services . He also hired all the employees and brought them all into the fold of Fuel Services. Upon completion of this acquisition, Fuel Services, Inc. had tripled its size, with customers and employees in a little over two years.

Today, Steve operates Fuel Services as President / CEO and has included his son Chris (Vice President), daughter Mary Beth (Customer Service Manager) and son-in-law Peter (Service Manager). His grandson Josh helps out in-between college semesters. Fuel Services, Inc. is a true family owned and operated fuel oil business. Family is very important to Steve, and this is the reason why his acquisitions were all hard working "family" businesses. (he has turned down offers to purchase other companies) He is not interested in being an oil conglomerate, but with rising business costs, capital required to maintain fleets & service departments and ever increasing payrolls, he recognized the need for expansion and consolidation to better serve the needs of his customers. He views his employees and his customers as part of his family and tries to treat them all as such. All of us at Fuel Services think he has succeeded! We have one great company, one dedicated to our customers with competitive prices, full services, and a friendly can-do attitude. This is why we ask you to "Experience the Difference"