Brunswick Coal, began selling coal and firewood in 1908. In 1931, Allen Morrell bought the company and shortly thereafter added "& Lumber" and expanded the business to include heating oil, propane and building materials. In the 1950's his two sons, Bob and Dick, joined him and continued to grow the business. Though partners in all aspects of the business, Bob focused on building materials and Dick focused on heating and petroleum products.

Decades of steady growth

The company expanded over the years through internal growth and acquisition of other small companies. Currently, we have 14 heating fuel and equipment operations throughout Maine and New Hampshire. In the 80's Downeast added wholesale and retail gasoline to the product mix. After operating a wholesale gasoline division and 23 Puffin Stop convenience stores for 20 years, the entire motor fuels operation was sold in late 2001.

Until recently, we operated Downeast Building Supply providing top quality service and products to contractors and homeowners from our location in Brunswick. In May, 2010, this division was sold.

Important to the sale of building products has been our land development division. Since the 1950's, we have carefully been planning and building neighborhoods such as "Meadowbrook" and "Mere Point Village" in Brunswick and will continue to do so.

Consolidation results in new names

For many years, the company kept the names of the local heating service companies and lumberyards that joined the ranks and unified them under the banner of "Good Friends Downeast". However, as the service areas grew and customer bases began to overlap, it became very confusing for our customers. Therefore, in the spring of 1998, we consolidated the names, DOWNEAST ENERGY for the energy businesses and DOWNEAST BUILDING SUPPLY for building products. Our former banner was incorporated into our current tagline, "Good Friends for all Seasons."

Run by 3 generations of the Morrell family and a terrific team

Besides the name, little else changed. It is still the same family owned Maine Company. Dick and Bob are still involved in the business as are four of the next generation: Doug in Energy, Sandy in Human Resources and Administration, Bill in Land Development and Betsy in Marketing and Training & Development. John Peters is at the helm as President. A team of almost 400 employees work around the clock to provide over 60,000 customers with heating oils, propane and equipment throughout Maine and New Hampshire.

After 100 years, customers still come first

One thing that hasn't changed since 1908 is our commitment to our customers. Getting the job done quickly is second to doing it safely and well. We are committed to our employees and to the communities in which we live and do business. DOWNEAST ENERGY is a growing company that willl never outgrow the fast, friendly, reliable service for which we've always been known.