Acquisition de Sparlings Propane : Comment Avenir Energy poursuit son expansion au Canada

About Sparlings Propane

Sparlings Propane holds a distinctive place in Ontario’s energy history. The company was founded in 1951 by Grant Sparling in Blyth, Ontario, a small town in Huron County in the province’s agricultural heartland. That founding date makes Sparlings one of Canada’s oldest propane retailers, with more than seven decades of operations serving rural and small-town Ontario customers.

Over the decades, Sparlings built a reputation for reliable residential propane delivery and service across Southern Ontario. The company operated six service locations and maintained accounts with approximately 25,000 residential and commercial customers, primarily in areas where natural gas distribution was unavailable and propane was the primary heating fuel.

In 2013, Parkland Corporation, a major Canadian fuel distributor, acquired Sparlings Propane as part of a broader expansion of its propane operations in Ontario. Under Parkland, Sparlings continued to operate under its established name and service model. The Blyth headquarters remained the operational base for the Southern Ontario propane network.

How Avenir Energy Acquired Sparlings Propane

In June 2024, Parkland Corporation announced the sale of its entire Canadian propane business to Avenir Energy. The deal included Parkland’s propane operations across the country: the Sparlings Propane brand and its Southern Ontario network, Bluewave Energy’s operations in the Prairies and northeast BC, Ultramar in Eastern Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, and additional propane infrastructure nationwide.

The deal was announced on June 5, 2024, and closed on November 30, 2024. From that date, Avenir Energy assumed full operational responsibility for the acquired operations, including Sparlings’ customer accounts, delivery network, service infrastructure, and service locations.

Sparling’s acquisition gave Avenir a strong foothold in Ontario’s residential propane market, complementing its existing operations in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories.

Paul M. Ladner, CEO of Avenir Energy, notes: “Sparlings has been part of the Ontario propane landscape for more than 70 years. The customers they built relationships with deserve a company that’s going to invest in their service, not wind it down. That’s exactly what we’re here to do: bring Avenir’s infrastructure, technology, and service model to the communities Sparlings have served for generations.”

What the Acquisition Means for Sparlings Customers

For the approximately 25,000 customers who were with Sparlings before December 2024, the transition to Avenir Energy means continued propane delivery and service through the same regional network, now backed by Avenir’s national operations and service standards.

Key changes and continuities for former Sparlings customers:

• Service continuity: Propane delivery, emergency response, and tank maintenance continue through the same Southern Ontario service locations.
• Account management: Customer accounts were transferred to Avenir’s systems. If you have questions about your account, delivery schedule, or billing, you can contact Avenir Energy directly.
• Tank arrangements: Existing tank rental arrangements transitioned to Avenir. The terms of your tank rental are maintained through the account transfer.

If you are a former Sparlings customer and have not yet been contacted about your account transition, please get in touch to confirm your service status.

Avenir Energy’s Leadership Team

Paul Ladner, Founder and CEO

Paul Ladner founded Avenir Energy with a mandate to build a full-service, national propane company that could serve both residential and commercial customers at scale. He leads the company’s strategic direction, acquisition strategy, and overall operations.

Tom Spink, President

Tom Spink oversees day-to-day operations across Avenir’s regional networks, including the integration of acquired businesses like Sparlings into Avenir’s service model.

Mindy Verwayne, Chief Financial Officer

Mindy Verwayne leads Avenir’s financial planning, reporting, and capital strategy, including the financing of acquisitions and infrastructure investment.

Christine Hennico, Senior HR Manager

Christine Hennico leads human resources across Avenir’s growing workforce, including the integration of teams from acquired companies.

Matthew Woodward, Chief Legal Officer

Matthew Woodward oversees legal affairs, regulatory compliance, and the transaction structuring involved in Avenir’s acquisition and growth activities.

What Avenir Energy Offers in Southern Ontario

Avenir Energy provides residential and commercial propane service across the same communities that Sparlings served for decades. Our residential service includes:

• Automatic delivery: Tank levels are monitored so deliveries are scheduled before you run out, without the need to track usage or call for fills.
• 24PROPLUS service plans: Priority emergency response, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Annual safety checks: Certified technicians inspect your tank, connections, and pressure regulators on a scheduled basis.
• Tank monitoring technology: Remote monitoring of tank levels for customers on automatic delivery.

Avenir also handles new customer setup, including propane tank placement, initial fills, and coordination with TSSA-licensed propane technicians for appliance connections.