Wilson Fuel - History

History

Wilson Fuel traces its history to a mercantile trade company founded in Truro during the early 19th century. It branched out into construction in Colchester County during the early 20th century and was involved in some of the reconstruction efforts in Dartmouth following the Halifax Explosion. It was also a general contractor for many of Nova Scotia's historic buildings from the late 19th century and early 20th century. The company gradually left the construction industry and began to supply coal to Truro's residential and commercial customers for heating from a coal yard alongside the Canadian National Railways main line at Pleasant Street. The company adopted its present name of Wilson Fuel Company Limited during the 1950s when fuel oil replaced coal.

The company expanded its residential and commercial fuel oil distribution and wholesale business through the 1960s-first decade of the 21st century and branched out into the retail petroleum business during the 1990s. The company maintains its headquarters on the original retail coal yard in Truro.

The retail petroleum subsidiary of Wilson Fuel is called Wilsons Gas Stops (note the plural on Wilson). Wilsons Gas Stops owns and operates 53 company service stations; 10 are branded Wilsons Gas Stops and 42 stations are branded Esso (in partnership with Wilsons' petroleum supplier Imperial Oil)and 1 is branded Shell. The company also distributes gasoline to 213 independent retail stations throughout Atlantic Canada. Some company owned and operated stations have convenience stores and fast food outlets.

The company's president is Ian Alexander Wilson. Its vice-president, Dave Collins, is often quoted by Nova Scotian media discussing that province's petroleum pricing policies, particularly when prices increase.