A History of Reliability

For more than 75 years, Global Partners LP, its subsidiaries, and their predecessors have served the energy needs of homeowners, businesses, industrial enterprises and government agencies throughout the Northeast and across the nation.

Global Partners began humbly in 1933, when Polish immigrant Abraham Slifka opened Slifky’s Reliable Oil Burner Service Co., in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. With a single truck, and his wife Sonya managing the books, Abraham delivered the heating oil that provided warmth to local businesses and families during the Great Depression.

As America turned to heating oil from coal and other fuel sources, the company grew and the next generation Slifka sons, Fred and Richie, joined the business. At 18 years old, Fred went to work for his father. He later made the company’s first acquisition, Atlas Oil. Younger brother Richie started in 1969 after Fred cajoled him into joining the family business.

Together the brothers expanded into wholesale fuel distribution and trading, using a Small Business Administration loan to buy their first terminal in Revere, Mass., and eventually buying and storing heating oil and other products from all over the world.

The company continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 90s with numerous Slifka grandchildren adding their talents to the company. During that time, the company expanded into the retail gasoline business with the purchase of several chains throughout the northeast. In 2005, Abraham Slifka’s grandson, chief executive Eric Slifka, took Global Partners public, trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Global Partners Today

Two generations of Slifkas take Global Public. Fred and Richie pictured center and Eric and Andrew on left.

While Global continues to grow, it retains the values Abraham Slifka instilled in his children and grandchildren — honesty, generosity and a strong work ethic.

With over 3,400 employees, the company has expanded to include a portfolio of approximately 25 terminals and 1,500 owned or supplied gas stations under a variety of brands, including Mobil, Exxon, Shell, Sunoco, Gulf, CITGO and Global.

Global plays an active role in local communities, donating heating oil and funding heating programs for low-income families. The company contributes to hundreds of causes local and national, including active support of charities working to find a cure for cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis. Read more about Global’s community involvement.