A longtime Bellingham oil company has been sold to a Washington state firm
A longtime local oil company has been sold to another firm that also has its headquarters in Washington state.
Christensen Inc. announced that it has acquired the Yorkston Oil Co., which includes the fuel and lubricant distributorship in the Irongate business park. Yorkston also operated Commercial Fuel Network sites and had a variety of commercial fuel accounts, including heating and marine fuels. At the time of the acquisition, Yorkston Oil had 11 employees, and Christensen is planning to hire more workers for the Bellingham operation.
The Yorky’s gas stations have been converted into other business operations. The Yorky’s on Alabama Street in Bellingham, for example, is now a Chevron gas station.
Founded in 1939, Yorkston Oil Co. operated for three generations. In a news release the leaders of the Yorkston company said it was important to find a company with similar values and found that with Christensen, which is also family owned and operated. Christensen is based in Richland.
“This acquisition represents a strategic investment that supports our planned growth in renewable fuels, retail fuel, lubricants, and other industrial fluids,” said Tony Christensen, president and CEO of Christensen Inc. in the news release. “Through extending our geographical reach, this acquisition enhances our ability to deliver economically and environmentally sustainable solutions to customers.”
This is the third acquisition for the Christensen company this year. Earlier it acquired facilities in Seattle and Portland, Oregon. The company was founded in 1935 and employs more than 500 people.
This story was originally published December 8, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
