Maine Potato Growers

Quality service in Houlton since 1981
    HOULTON — For nearly three decades, the Houlton branch of Maine Potato Growers Inc. has helped keep customers in the Shiretown warm through many a long, cold winter.
    Located on 2 Grange St, the MPG-Houlton supplies and delivers No. 2 heating oil, kerosene, ULS diesel and NRLM diesel are their specialty. They offer 24-hour service and still have Off Road Diesel Contracts for 2010 and 2011. MPG-Houlton also offers delivery on all products they sell. Simply stop in and ask one of the 10 full-time employees there to assist you for complete details.
    There is something to be said about longevity. Like its parent company in Presque Isle, which started in 1932, MPG-Houlton takes pride in its customer satisfaction. The Houlton branch has been in operation since 1981.
    “It’s very important to us,” says Alan Green. “We have to deliver excellent customer service consistently with a high level of expertise because in today’s business climate, many other companies are selling similar products.”
    According to the business’ web site, “We are a diversified cooperative serving the needs of agricultural and resource based industries and our surrounding communities since 1932. We invite you to browse our site and discover the many value products and services we offer. You can count on MPG for your retail hardware, energy products, crop inputs, crop marketing and farm equipment needs.”
    Also found on the MPG web site (www.mpgco-op.com) is a variety of viewable items, including special promotions, sales flyers and contests to sign up for. There is even a weather forecast and stock quote ticker scrolling along.
    Some of the items carried in the Houlton store include: Woods Equipment; bearings, sprockets, 3-point hitch parts, drive shafts and crosses, tillage parts, lovejoy couplers and a more extensive line of nuts and bolts including both metric and SAE types, and galvanized and plastic culver.
    Are you an animal person? MPG-Houlton offers Nutrena animal food line for large and small animals.
    MPG-Houlton provides the full line-up of MPG products and services to the communities in southern Aroostook County.
    “We have been part of the community for many years,” says Pierre Patenaude, CEO of MPG. “Our intent is to be the first choice within the communities we serve today and in the future.”
    The business’ marketing activities consist primarily of: MPG Fresh-purchase and sale of potatoes; and MPG Grain – purchase and sale of grains.
    Supply activities include the following divisions:
    • Crop Services – Provides growers with agricultural inputs and services including seed, application services, fertilizer and a full line of agricultural crop protection products.
    • MPG Truck & Tractor —Sells and services agricultural equipment.
    • MPG Energy — Offers a full line of petroleum and bulk lubricant products for agricultural, forestry, industrial and consumer applications.
    • MPG ACE Hardware — A convenience lumber and building material facility that provides a locally owned, convenient, quick in and out shopping experience with knowledgeable and personalized customer service.
    “We also carry high-end speciality lines, because they are what our customers demand.” Green said.
    Diversification is the key to success for MPG-Houlton. Satisfying the needs of an ever-changing customer demand remains one of their top goals.
    Their line of Stihl power tools and Cub Cadet products are second to none. MPG-Houlton also has all your wood pellet and firewood needs covered. The company has a large selection of industrial fasteners, Grade 8 motor fuels, lubricants and welding supplies.
    Members of the board of directors for 2010 include Ned Berce of St. Agatha; Bruce Buck, Keith Doyen and Jeffrey Smith, all of Mapleton; Dominic Lajoie of Van Buren; Darrell McCrum and Ward Laughlin, both of Mars Hill; Andrew McGlinn and Gregory Smith, both of Presque Isle; and David Dorsey of Fort Fairfield. The chairman is Gregory H. Smith.
    Houlton’s MPG location is open Monday through Friday from 7-5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a,m. to noon. For more information on the Houlton office, call 532-2289 or contact Aaron Green at agreen@mpgco-op.com or Ed McGillicuddy at emcgillicuddy@mpgco-op.com.