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| HISTORY
OF WHITEHEAD OIL
- Lincoln, Nebraska |
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 Our
company founder, M.E. "Bus" Whitehead, graduated from the University
of Nebraska in 1950. Bus was a standout basketball player, leading
the Huskers to a Big Seven conference championship his senior year.
After he graduated, Bus went to work as a sales trainee for Phillips
66 and played for their acclaimed AAU amateur basketball team. In
1959, still working as a salesman for the Phillips 66 Company, Bus
took advantage of the opportunity to buy the Phillips 66 direct operation
in Lincoln, which included 14 service stations. By 1965, Whitehead
Oil grew to 24 service stations and a bulk products distribution plant.
During the gas shortages of the 1970's, many service stations went
out of business. In fact the total number of gas stations in the nation
decreased by fifty percent. But Whitehead Oil Company continued to
grow and prosper.
As the 70's turned into the 80's, it was apparent that new marketing
strategies were necessary for the company to continue its success
in the Lincoln market. "Full-Service" stations became "Self-Service"
and soon began to offer consumers convenience items: pop, snacks,
even groceries.
In 1982, after graduating from Kansas State University, son Mark joined
the company and opened the first U-Stop Convenience Shop at the corner
of 27th and South. Now there are 22 U-Stop Convenience Stores in Lincoln.
In 1989, Bus Whitehead sold 100 percent of the company to his family.
Mark Whitehead, now president of the company, continues the mission
set by his father to "be aggressive and try to keep abreast of the
trends."
During the last 46 years Whitehead Oil Company has seen gas wars and
gas shortages, old stations close and new ones open. It's seen gasoline
sales grow from one million gallons a month in 1966, to almost three
million gallons a month in 1999.
The future holds fresh challenges and new opportunites. Sound management,
aggressive marketing and a commitment to our people and our community
will ensure that the prosperity of the past will continue into the
new Millenium. "When you have good people, there's nothing you can't
do." Bus Whitehead |
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