Last updated on March 2nd, 2015 at 09:00 am
Lykins Energy Solutions is partnering with Gulf Oil for an exclusive deal to represent the brand in the greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky markets. It will bring the Gulf brand back for the first time in more than two decades. A “The Legend is Back.” advertising campaign will begin in early March.
The relationship between Lykins and Gulf has historical significance. In 1953, Lykins Energy Solutions (formerly Lykins Oil) operated one of the first Gulf stations in the Cincinnati market.
The partnership with Gulf Oil gives Lykins Energy Solutions exclusive rights to the Gulf brand in the greater Cincinnati market and also allows for growth throughout the U.S.
Lykins plans to partner with existing and new station owners in greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky and southern Indiana to start, which has been Lykins’ home turf for more than 68 years.
“Lykins will be offering Gulf branding opportunities to area station owners starting immediately. Existing and ‘new-to-industry’ opportunities still exist for qualified partners. Lykins expects to have dozens of locations branded Gulf in the next few years with a goal of over 100 for the Cincinnati market alone,” said Lykins Energy Solutions VP of Sales and Procurement Greg Belisle.
Added Lykins Energy Solutions President and CEO Jeff Lykins, “The Gulf image is bold, bright and new, but still has the nostalgic look of the 1950s. My family is proud to have them as a partner again—the ‘Legend’ is truly back.”
No one is happier about the joint venture than Guy Lykins Jr. He, with his younger brother Don, are the second generation of Lykins Oil and the sons of its founder Guy Lykins, who started the company in 1948. Lykins Jr. remembers when, during the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, a Gulf gas station could be found in every town.
“The Cincinnati market had over 40 Gulf gas stations back then,” Lykins Jr. said.
He adds that a big part of the Lykins’ success is due to the Gulf brand.
“With Gulf, we had supply in the market other suppliers didn’t have and it gave us an amazing image with that big orange disc sign,” Lykins Jr. said. “They were amazing people to work with back then and they still are today. They helped us grow in many ways. I always hoped the Gulf image would come back. Now it has, and I’m so proud that Lykins is part of that.”
