COPYRIGHT 2009 
Froelich Oil Co.
Brothers-in-law Alex J. Froelich and Leo J. Eckroth started A&L Oil Company in 1946, primarily providing petroleum products such as fuel and lubricants to North Dakota farms. With the death of co-founder Alex Froelich in 1961, his son Richard Froelich took over his father's share and purchased the remaining share of the company from his uncle Leo.
From 1961 to 1978, Richard Froelich operated A&L as a sole proprietorship, a distributor/commissioned agent for Exxon Company USA. In 1969, Exxon combined the Mandan operation and the Bismarck operation. This merger allowed Froelich the opportunity to purchase the Bismarck operation from E.A. Landerholm.
In 1978, Exxon sold the bulk operation in Bismarck and seven Bismarck-Mandan service stations to Richard, at which time the company was incorporated under the name Froelich Oil Company. With these purchases, the company expanded its products and services to include 6 service stations.
In 2000, Froelich Oil Company merged with ZORA Inc., establishing Missouri Valley Petroleum (MVP). The merger brought together two companies in the same industry, but with different focuses. Froelich Oil -an Amoco, Conoco and Exxon distributor-focused on the wholesale of lubricants and retail gasoline. ZORA Inc. - a Conoco distributor - focused on retail oil and lubricants, wholesale gasoline and propane and farm delivery.
The merger brought together the best of both companies and strengthened each sales department and brought a much higher level of customer service.Today, MVP is a complete distributor of petroleum products with locations in Bismarck, Mandan, Belfield, and Rugby.
COPYRIGHT 2009