Click here to watch Jeff Lykin’s interview.
"Clermont County is the greatest place in the world to grow a business," says Jeff Lykins, president of the Lykins Oil Company in Miami Township, the fifth largest oil company in the state of Ohio. "I have traveled all over the country and nowhere else have I found the benefits of a large city, the values of a small town, and the beauty of landscape all in one place."
Established in 1948 by Lykins’ grandfather, the petroleum marketer now employs 300 people, selling retail and unbranded gasoline across 14 states, providing transport, and supplying heating oil to warm 20,000 homes in Greater Cincinnati. In the past three years, Lykins has been on a buying spree acquiring six competitors. In 2006, several dozen jobs will move into Clermont County as a result of these acquisitions.
"Hard work, being fair, and doing what is right for the customer is what this company is all about," said Lykins, in assessing why his business has been so successful. "Back in the early 50’s, there was a huge snowstorm. My grandfather woke up my dad and his brother and had them shovel three miles to open the family gas station. Only one customer showed up that day, but grandfather said we did what was needed. That customer depended on us to be there, and we were. That rings true today."
Lykins Oil, located at 5163 Wolfpen-Pleasant Hill Road in Miami Township, was recently recognized in the Deloitte Cincinnati 100 as the eleventh largest privately held company in Cincinnati, and by the Cincinnati Business Courier as one of the 55 fastest growing, privately owned companies in Cincinnati.
"It is important for employees of this company to feel like they can walk up to me at anytime and say hello or express a concern," says Lykins, frequently stopping to chat with staff members. "Our goal isn’t to be the biggest, just the best." For more information on Lykins Oil, visit the company web site at www.lykinscompanies.com.
--Kathy Lehr, contributor
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