CENTURY PROPANE ACQUIRES KILLARNEY GAS

JACKSON -- Century Propane Company Inc. of Jackson has acquired Killarney Gas of Ironton.

R.L. "Rick" Humphrey, president and chairman of the board of the Jackson firm, announced recently that plans had been finalized for the acquisition. It is the third corporate acquisition by Century Propane this year.

Century Propane owns and operates six retail stores and propane distribution plants in the Midwest. Other operations are in St. Louis, Potosi, Bloomsdale, and Paris, Mo., and in Chicago, Ill.

With the consolidation of Killarney Gas, Century will serve more than 2,000 customers with annual volumes exceeding 2.2 million gallons. It places Century in the top 10 intrastate markets of LP gas in Missouri.

Century also operates a wholesale and transport division, and is a Phillips Petroleum Alternative Transportation fuels dealer.

Killarney Gas is one of the oldest continuous propane marketers in Missouri, Humphrey said. Killarney distributes liquefied petroleum gas (propane) to residential and commercial customers. Paul Memhardt, former operating manager for Killarney, has been appointed Century's general manager over the Arcadia Valley Group.

Century Propane is an active member of both the Missouri LP Gas Association and the National Propane Gas Association. Humphrey recently completed a term as treasurer of the Missouri Association, and is now serving as its vice chairman of the board of directors and legislative liaison committee chairman for the state.

Century Propane divested its Jackson retail store and distribution plant in December but will maintain its corporate headquarters at Jackson.

Missouri has more than 400 registered interstate propane marketers.