Bloom Oil Company, Inc. of Jamestown has seen many changes over the last 77 years since establishment in 1929 as a locally owned member cooperative.  Today, Bloom Oil remains a locally owned member cooperative serving not only the agricultural community it once did, but also serves manufacturing, construction, trucking, automotive fast lubes, and food processing industries through distribution and retail sales of refined fuels and lubricants. 

Most recently, late in 2005, Bloom Oil was commissioned by Cenex Harvest States (CHS) as 1 of 19 Cenex^® Lubricant Terminals (CLT’s).  The CLT’s are found throughout the nation and are intended to bring more focus and efficiency to the CHS lubricants business.  Cost advantages to Coop’s, commercial dealers, and end users are apparent after the first year of CLT territorial establishment. 

A CLT serves as a strategically located distribution center for locally owned member cooperatives throughout the CLT’s territory.  Bloom Oil’s territory covers basically the whole southern half of North Dakota, with the exception of a couple Coop’s in far southeast ND.  Weekly scheduled delivery routes of packaged products helps Bloom Oil maintain efficiency, and participating customers by reducing inventory and carrying costs associated with the inventory.

In addition to distributing packaged products, bulk oil distribution has been part of Bloom Oil for 20 plus years, and continues to grow.  To accommodate the growth of bulk oil sales, improve delivery efficiency, and to ensure product quality is not compromised, a large investment has been made in designing and building a state-of-the-art bulk delivery truck.  Dedicated tanks, pumps, meters, and hose reels for each family of lubricant delivered are used to prevent cross-contamination of product.  “We have four separate delivery systems on the truck that are electronically metered and certified for volume delivered.  With an economy of continuously shrinking margins for sellers, and tightening of pocketbooks by consumers, it’s paramount to Bloom Oil and the customer that we not only deliver quality, but do it with accuracy.” states, Neil Fuchs, CLT Manager.

In addition to the CLT role that Bloom Oil plays, a very large part of the business is, and remains to be, distribution of refined fuels.  From farm and service station transport loads, to home heating, Bloom Oil has it covered.  Although the focus sometimes seems to turn more commercial, due to the decline of agricultural gallons caused by fewer farms and larger equipment making fewer trips over the field, Bloom Oil recognizes that the agricultural customer base is still critical to the success of the Coop.  The practice of customers buying solely on price, regardless of product quality delivered has been a real challenge to overcome.  Years past, with lower costs, the upgrade to a premium fuel was easier to justify for most customers.  Today, we may be quoting a premium product against a competitor’s baseline product, and not knowing that, loose the sale.  It’s important for both supplier and customer to compare apples to apples when pricing products.

When asked what is next on the Bloom Oil list of things to do, Jerry Fuchs, CEO and general manager for the last 22 years, states, “we need to focus on changing the mind set of potential dealers, and ultimately the end customer so that they are open to new scenarios and supplier options.  There are a number of obstacles to overcome; one such obstacle is the misconception of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) warranties not being honored if OEM lubricants aren’t used.  Federal law strictly prohibits OEM’s from voiding warranty based on purchases of branded products other than their own.”  Other misconceptions often heard are; Cenex^® products can only be sold to farmers or members of the Coop, and lubricants designed for the farm won’t work in my truck, car, or ATV, etc.  All of these misconceptions are easily cleared up by asking one simple question to the person or establishment making the claim; “May I have it in writing?”, or “Can you please give me some literature or other documentation that will support what your telling me?”.

Cenex^® products, and all products distributed by Bloom Oil meet requirements for most if not all applications, from agricultural to commercial (including heavy industrial), to recreational, and may be sold to any end customer wishing to purchase our product.  Cenex^® currently offers a “no cost” or “minimal cost” warranty for agricultural equipment, and is evaluating warranty programs for other applications that may be available at some time in the future.

The key to any product usage, is, select the right product for your specific application.  For specific needs and/or questions on lubricants or refined fuels, or to find out if Bloom Oil is right for your business or personal needs, please contact Neil or Jerry at 701-252-4040, or 800-357-4041.