June 2020
For 75, now going on 76, years, Quality Oil and Gas Co. has been a staple of the Sandhills region. The company also operates under the Swink-Quality Oil brand named after former CEO, Jack Swink.
As a result of its longevity, Quality Oil has embedded itself within the local community in more ways than one. Perhaps the most significant is the way the company and its employees have given back to the community that it serves.
“We have individuals throughout the company, as well as a company, that have participated in various events and organizations to help strengthen and support the community where we live and work,” said manager of environmental compliance and information systems Jimmy McDonald.
McDonald said the company has former CEO Jack Swink to thank for instilling values of participating in and being a part of the community.
“I think most people in the organization have the same mindset that participation in the community is as important as being a business,” McDonald said. “Helping out where we can, whether its though financial contributions or physical contributions, there are many people involved in various areas.”
Quality Oil has donated to many local organizations and athletic and academic programs at local schools, according to President Gene McLaurin. He added that many of their employees are actively involved in volunteering with those organizations, as well.
“That’s something we’re very proud of,” McLaurin said.
In addition to its community-oriented values, the company has earned a reputation for its quality products.
Quality Oil has three divisions – a gasoline division, where it supplies about 70 convenience stores in the south-central part of the state; a propane division, where it supplies about 8,000 propane customers; and a lubricants and industrial oil division, which sells those products all over the country, according to McLaurin.
In addition, the company sells a wide variety of everyday items, including space heaters, fireplace inserts, stoves and ovens, water heaters, grills, vehicles, and industrial and farm tools.
While its headquarters are in Rockingham, Quality Oil also has branch offices in Laurinburg, Lumberton and Wadesboro. With reach and coverage like that around the Sandhills region, they’re able to provide excellent support and services to all their customers regardless of where they’re located.
“If somebody needs us, we’re there,” McLaurin said. “We do a lot during inclement weather situations, whether it be ice storms, hurricanes or anything else. We’re the local go-to company for fuel for local governments, generators, for Duke Energy and Pee Dee Electric. We’re the company that folks call to help.”
Many businesses and companies have had to deal with the economic struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and Quality Oil is one of them. But, McLaurin said the company’s longevity and experienced staff and management helped them to successfully navigate its way through those obstacles.
“We kept everybody through the difficult times,” McLaurin said, “and I think being a company that’s been around this long, even though we’ve never dealt with a pandemic, with our experienced team, we know how to adapt to the market situations and we’ve been able to do that very successfully.”
With its roots firmly ingrained in the region for more than three-quarters of a century, Quality Oil isn’t planning on going anywhere anytime soon and looks to remain a fixture in the region for years to come.
“I think we’re a real success story of local companies providing excellent service to customers,” McLaurin said. “We’re making the kinds of plans that will enable the company to continue to grow and expand and be successful in the future.”