RICHMOND, VA – September 10, 2018 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. (“Matrix”), a leading, independent middle-market investment bank, announces the successful closing on the sale of Tevis Oil, Inc.’s (collectively “Tevis” or the “Company”) convenience retailing and wholesale motor fuel assets to SMO, Incorporated (d/b/a SMO Motor Fuels and Dash In®), a subsidiary of The Wills Group, Inc. The acquired assets consist of all of Tevis’ company-operated locations (d/b/a Jiffy Mart) as well as its commission agent and lessee dealer sites. Tevis will continue to operate and is actively looking to grow its home comfort solutions, commercial fuels, and HVAC businesses, consisting of: Tevis Energy (heating oil, diesel, and gasoline sales to residential and commercial customers); Tevis Propane (propane sales to residential and commercial customers); and, Modern Comfort Systems (HVAC installation, repair & maintenance).
Headquartered in Westminster, Maryland, Tevis is a premier motor fuel distributor and total energy solutions provider in the Mid-Atlantic. The Company, originally known as S.H. Tevis & Son, was founded in 1932 by Stanley H. Tevis Sr. as a local fuels distributor in Westminster, Maryland. The Company started as a Gulf Oil commissioned agent selling gasoline, diesel, and heating oil to businesses, farms, and residences in the Carroll County Maryland area. In 1981, the Company opened its first convenience store originally called Tevco, which was primarily a self-service truck stop featuring less expensive, unbranded gasoline, along with hot food, drinks, and a variety of convenience items. The store’s location on Baltimore Boulevard in Finksburg, Maryland proved to be the perfect spot, and the business flourished. After the success of the first store, Tevis continued to open new stores over the years, with each new store offering more and more selection. In 1987, the Jiffy Mart brand was born, and by 2001 all of the Company’s Tevco stores had been rebranded Jiffy Mart. The Company is currently led by Mr. Jack Tevis, who represents the third generation of the Tevis family.
Mr. Jack Tevis commented, “It has been a pleasure to work with Sean Dooley and Spencer Cavalier and the entire Matrix team over the last few months to successfully undertake and conclude this project. Their professionalism and expertise has exceeded any expectations that I might have had on how this endeavor might go. And I want to compliment the folks at SMO and The Wills Group as well for their outstanding cooperation to diligently consummate this project. Finally, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the employees of Jiffy Mart and Tevis Oil for their wonderful efforts to create and sustain a wonderful group of stores in our community over the past thirty years.”
Matrix provided merger and acquisition advisory services to Tevis, which included valuation advisory, marketing the business through a confidential, structured sale process, and negotiation of the transaction. The transaction was managed by Spencer Cavalier, Managing Director; Sean Dooley, Vice President; and Christian Klawunder, Senior Associate. Thomas Kelso, Managing Director and Head of Matrix’s Downstream Energy and Convenience Retail Group, also advised on the transaction.
Mr. Dooley added, “There has been a longstanding relationship between Tevis and Matrix, and we sincerely appreciate Jack’s trust and confidence in us to execute this transaction. We are extremely pleased that it accomplishes the goal he set out to achieve, and we wish him much success and continued growth with the businesses he is retaining.”
Brooks Leahy and Stephanie Brophy of Dulany Leahy Curtis & Brophy, LLP served as legal counsel for Tevis.