By Tim Sullivan
 
Windward Petroleum Inc. is continuing its rapid growth, announcing last week that it has purchased lubricant distributorships based in Oklahoma City, Okla., and Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
 
Windward, of Charlotte, N.C., was founded just four years ago and now claims to be one of the largest lube distributors in the country, with annual sales of $150 million and more than 300 employees. The latest acquisitions are its tenth and eleventh since January 1999.
 
The Oklahoma City acquisition, Commercial Distributing Inc., distributes Pennzoil, Quaker State, Castrol, Citgo, Chevron and Valvoline products in Oklahoma and parts of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. It operates facilities in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Okla., and Joplin, Mo., and had $40 million in sales last year.
 
The other acquisition was the lubricant business of Edwards Oil Co., which distributes Castrol and Citgo lubes to the automotive, commercial and industrial segments in Tennessee.
 
Windward officials said the acquisitions will complement the company’s existing operations and extend its reach from the East into the Midwest.
 
“These acquisitions bring us another step closer to realizing enhanced service and product offerings through a multi-regional network of lubricants distributorships,” Chief Executive Officer Terry Russell said.
 
Officials added that they plan to acquire more companies in the future.