The Valley Oil Company Story

In 1992, the company expanded to include a retail division, which grew to consist of 21 convenience stores branded with the Valley Mart name. The wholesale division of the business grew as well, operating with a fleet of four transport tankers and three bobtail delivery trucks.

Third-generation family member Matt Woodcock joined the team in 2005, after graduating from Tennessee Wesleyan College. Grandson of Hubert Shankle, Matt grew up in the petroleum industry and eagerly joined his mother and uncle in the family business. Matt oversees the day-to-day operations of the company with a constant focus of building and maintaining relationships for the future. 

Another third-generation family member, Jaime Woodcock McGinnis, joined the company in 2011, after a career in historic preservation. Jaime’s interest in the tradition and family history of the business attracted her to it. She brings an attention to the details that our customers appreciate and therefore helps us maintain and build those relationships.

In 2010, Sweetwater Valley Oil Co. leased out its retail convenience stores, and the company returned to its roots--the wholesale distribution of petroleum products. Following this shift in focus, the business expanded into Chattanooga in 2011 with the purchase of Benton Oil. This acquisition included the Midnite Oil brand, which offers customers the option of 100% ethanol-free gasoline at all its locations. By adding a Chattanooga-based office and bulk service plant, the company expanded its service area to include more of Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. 

The company changes and growth experienced after 2011 encouraged us to undertake a rebranding initiative that better represents our business. Under this new vision, Sweetwater Valley Oil Co. will continue to be the parent company with the same management but will operate under the name Valley Oil Company--a change formalized in 2018. Also in 2018, Valley Oil Company completed the construction of a brand new office and bulk service plant on Shepherd Road near the airport in Chattanooga. With two locations, a fleet of 14 transport tankers and 6 bobtail delivery trucks, knowledgeable and helpful staff, excellent service, and competitive pricing on all our petroleum products, Valley Oil Company is ready and able to meet all your fueling needs.