D.E. Duffey & Sons Inc. Acquires Sheller Oil Company

KENT, Conn. (Dec. 14, 2021) – Cetane Associates LLC is pleased to announce that D. E. Duffey & Sons Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation with offices in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania., has acquired the full-service heating oil delivery business of Sheller Oil Company, a Pennsylvania corporation located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The transaction on the sale of their heating oil business closed on Dec. 9, 2021. (The Sheller family will continue to own its Sheller Propane business, operating from its current West Chester location.)

With beginnings in founders Charles “Wally” Sheller and Betty Sheller’s home basement in 1963, Sheller Oil provides heating oil and service to its customers in and around West Chester, Pennsylvania.

By the early 1980’s their son, Bruce took over ownership and operations including the addition of storage tanks and implementation of a series of acquisitions and adding a propane division that spurred growth. Today, Sheller Oil is known as a premier home comfort provider with a reputation for delivering exceptional service to its customers.

President Bruce Sheller stated, “We are pleased to have completed the sale of our heating fuels business operations to D. E. Duffey & Sons. We chose them because they are also family-owned, we share a long history as friendly competitors, and they share our commitment to employees, customers, and community. It is because of this knowledge that we know they will all be in exceptionally good hands.”

Sheller Vice President Erik Sheller said, “This is an emotional but very happy time for our entire family as we move together into the next phase of our professional lives now focused on our Sheller Propane operations.” Erik continued to say, “Our family appreciates the experience and expertise that Cetane’s team brought to the table every step of the way. We placed our trust in their skillful and caring guidance.”

Since 1898, suburban Philadelphia homeowners have trusted D.E. Duffey & Sons to provide complete heating and cooling solutions for their families in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties. Their commitment is to customer service first, providing complete home comfort, preventative maintenance, and peace of mind.

Dan Duffey, president of D. E. Duffey & Sons, remarked, “Together with his family, Bruce has built a highly successful fuel delivery and HVAC services business and we are honored that they chose our family to continue to care for their Sheller Oil customers. D.E.”

Duffey & Sons Vice President Kate Duffey added, “We look forward to Sheller Oil’s employees joining our team and to helping them feel right at home.”

Doug Woosnam, director at Cetane Associates, commented, “At Cetane, we are pleased to have worked with the Sheller Oil family and congratulate the company on completing this effective transaction with D. E. Duffey & Sons.”

Cetane served as the sole arranger and financial advisor to Sheller Oil Company. Cetane advised on the sale, including an initial valuation opinion, marketing the business through a confidential process, assisting in negotiating the final deal terms, and coordinating the due diligence process. Team members Doug Woosnam, Jeff Brunner, and Barrett Conway managed the transaction.