Those bright orange pumps and signs are a staple around the city. Everyone knows Hughes Petroleum Ltd., whether they are fueling up a vehicle, saving money at the cardlock, or getting that signature high pressure wand wash and shine that helped make the brand famous. However, did you know that the roots of this iconic business go back to the original station on 104 Ave & 119 Street, where founder William Hughes, along with his son Brian Hughes, sold wholesale gasoline and diesel? Today, this area is known as the Edmonton Brewery District. Next to his original site were other prominent businesses in Edmonton: Jasper Dairy (1907), Molson Brewery (1913) and Inland Concrete (1952).
What started with one station in 1956 now has 25 locations, 235 employees and the technology that keeps your vehicles fueled and clean. Hughes Petroleum is not just the gas station and high pressure wand wash you know and love. It’s a part of Edmonton’s history and a part of the city’s growing future.
Today, Hughes proudly remains a family owned and operated business with Brian Hughes as owner and president, Darren Hughes as vice president of operations, and Tomasz (Tommy) Machul as vice president of sales & business development.
While many know Hughes Petroleum for its service stations, there are many lesser known and new aspects of the company. The bulk fuel distribution division provides a range of solutions, including onsite refueling, secure storage tanks, and large-scale bulk fuel delivery. To ensure reliable and timely service, Hughes owns and operates its own fleet of trucks, giving it full oversight of the distribution process from start to finish and allowing it to serve a wide array of commercial and industrial clients with efficiency and precision.
Onsite refueling often takes place overnight, so clients vehicles and equipment are ready to go the in the morning. As a progressive company and an early adopter of emerging technology, Hughes uses Accu-Flo, which keeps track in real time, every litre of fuel delivered per delivery, per vehicle or per piece of equipment. The system also generates reports that are accessible to the client, ensuring the clients always have up-to-the-minute details on their fuel status.
When clients order a storage tank, they can rest assured that the fuel they need is waiting for them. Satellite sensors monitor the tank levels, ensuring Hughes remains proactive in refilling the tanks without the client running dry or having to rush an order.
Glen Bartel, Golden Arrow Buses, notes of the Hughes difference, “When we first looked for a fuel supplier, we looked for ideal locations to fuel our buses. At the end of the day, our vehicles are spread throughout the city. Hughes provided a competitive price, and because of their many stations, it was convenient for us to refill where we needed. That is the number one thing for us. In the 15+ years we have been with Hughes, they have never run out of fuel, even during severe fuel shortages. Distribution is key in our business, and we have never had a problem with Hughes.”
Along with numerous partnerships across industry sectors, including farming, energy companies, construction and hospitality, Hughes works closely with major refineries and ships fuel by rail to the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
Hughes celebrated its 65th anniversary milestone with Business in Edmonton magazine. Now, five years later, how have things changed? The family is back to share an update.
At this 70-year milestones, the completion of renovations across the stations that started in 2020 and the rebuild of its original station are complete. Hughes also debuted its Orange Card, which provides a four cents per litre discount on fuel. Unlike many other loyalty programs, the Orange Card comes with no fees and no purchase required. Anyone can simply go into a station and ask for the card, or order one from Hughes website.
“Since 2020, we have acquired three new stations with high pressure wand washes, bringing our total to 25 stations and 285 wash bays,” says Darren. “We have also secured contracts with school bus companies to use our stations 24/7.”
That’s not all. Brian adds, “We have secured a contract with the City of Edmonton for small units, which use our stations around the city for fuel and high pressure wand washes. Another secured contract is with the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, where we must be ready at a moment’s notice, day or night, to go and fill up the trucks wherever the fires are being extinguished.”
To increase convenience for clients, another change to the brand is easier access. Five stations are now open 24/7 (pay the pump only).
Perhaps one of the most interesting changes is how Hughes is diversifying. Darren explains about the current venture, “A newly added portion of our business is for supply and service of front load bins for waste and recycling. This offers a competitive and cost effective solution for companies of all sizes across Edmonton. Our new front load trucks are helping to keep the city’s businesses stay clean and tidy.”
Hughes is more than a driving force in the energy sector. The brand also strives to be a leader and example with green and humanitarian practices. As the VP of business development, Tommy is pleased to explain.
“Hughes always finds a way to provide reliable and sustainable service to all their customers. We are excited to offer an industry standard named ‘ethanol free’ at our 178 Street station. It is designed specifically for owners of high-performance vehicles and equipment with small engines,” he says. “This premium low ethanol fuel is ideal for lawnmowers, chainsaws, and boats, as well as for high-performance race cars. It helps prevent the common issues associated with higher ethanol blends, like corrosion and system clogs, leading to better engine health and more reliable operation. It contains a minimal, legally mandated percentage of ethanol. This ensures you get the performance benefits while we adhere to national standards.”
In addition to providing quality products, Hughes remains committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility. A key part of this commitment is compliance with Canada’s S-211 Act.
“This legislation is designed to increase transparency within supply chains and combat the risks of forced labour and child labour. By making our S-211 Assessment readily available, we provide a clear view of our efforts to ensure ethical practices throughout our operations,” Tommy points out. “We are proud to partner with major suppliers who share our dedication to this important Act, reinforcing our promise to conduct business responsibly and with integrity.”
The expansions, the contracts with the City, the upgraded service and product offerings – it’s all part of Hughes’ purpose to “fuel the needs in our ever-growing community. Yet it is not the new locations or even the newest branches that have Brian, Darren and Tommy counting as success. While that is part of it, they find the most rewarding aspect of Hughes to be the continued impact it has on the clients and the community.
“Our client’s success is what we strive for,” Brian says. “To know that our clients and patrons are extremely satisfied with our services and products and seeing the commitment that keeps them coming back to Hughes; to hear that our clients and patrons spread the word about Hughes, helping us grow our business and provide the utmost in products and services is what we love the most.”
From the start, Hughes has strived to be a community partner and over the years, its support of the local initiatives it serves has continued to grow. Hughes is proud to be a major sponsor of the Festival of Trees, which supports the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation. Each year the funds raised help a different division of the hospital, ensuring a high level of care remains accessible to patients, and vital research continues.
Hughes also supports the No Stone Left Alone gala, which empowers school aged children to place a poppy on every tombstone to honour Canadian veterans on Remembrance Day.
You’ll also see the bright orange colours of Hughes Petroleum on the boards when you are at Rogers Place, cheering for the Edmonton Oilers during their home games.
The support extends into many other aspects of the community. Joey & Friends Empties, the eco-focused bottle collection service in Edmonton, stated last year, “We want to give a big shoutout to Hughes Petroleum Ltd. for their incredible support! They’ve generously supplied us at Empties with extra carwash tokens. We owe a huge thank you to the Hughes team for their help so that we can maintain our fleet and keep it in impeccable condition.”
Raising and maintaining a business is never an easy journey. To have grown one successfully as a family business for 70 years is a feat worth celebrating. For Brian, that celebration includes watching the team he has assembled and his very own vision for the brand continue to grow and serve the community. He appreciates the unwavering support of all the staff, including the diverse group of managers, supervisors, office staff and customer-facing employees who ensure patrons’ interactions at the stations and high pressure wand washes are efficient and positive.
Darren says with gratitude, “Brian is the person who has kept this locally owned business on the forefront in the oil and gas industry. His never ending dedication is to develop new and innovative ways to supply products and services to a wide variety of customers; products and services that are cost effective and sustainable to all users. He also has a keen eye, which keeps the stations in tip top shape and user friendly. His gut instinct has brought him a long way since 1960 when he took over from his father and developed the Hughes brand as we know it today.”
For 70 great years – and counting – Hughes extends sincere thanks to all of the patrons, suppliers and distributors who have been part of this incredible journey.
What comes next? Tommy says, “Business as usual, keeping it strong and real!”
They conclude, “Looking ahead, our commitment to serving you remains our top priority. We will continue to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, providing unwavering support to the entire fuel community across Edmonton, Western Canada, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. To power Alberta’s growing economy, we are dedicated to maintaining our professional bulk sales and onsite refueling services, ensuring all clients, large and small, have the fuel they need, precisely when and where they need it. This forward momentum is guided by our steadfast commitment to our core values: independence, relationships, responsible growth and innovation.”
Hughes remains dedicated to its core values of fostering strong, quality relationships with everyone – big or small – serving the valued patrons of Edmonton and beyond. This commitment ensures their continued reliability and sustainability in the marketplace.
10330 178 Street Northwest,
Edmonton, AB, T5S 1J2
(780) 444-4040
solutions@hughespetroleum.com
