There Is No Time for Complacency: Four Keys to Ensuring Your Business Stands the Test of Time

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Read Ergon President & CEO Kris Patrick‘s latest LinkedIn article, as shown below, sharing his four keys to ensuring business continuity through evolving industry demands.

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Global manufacturing and infrastructure are moving faster than ever. If you want your business to thrive for the long haul, you simply cannot stand still. You must keep pace with change or, better yet, stay ahead of it. You must outpace while simultaneously holding tightly to the values that made you successful in the first place.

Transformation – No Time for Complacency
The strategy that brought you to this point will not always be the one that takes you where you need to go next. That does not mean you must abandon your identity or vision. You must be willing to adjust how you reach the goal. At Ergon, we aren’t moving away from our culture. In fact, we are doubling down on it. However, we recognize that our tactics must change for us to continue to be successful.

We have embraced the mindset that what got us here may not get us where we are headed. We constantly look for ways to expand our ability to serve customers, not only for today’s needs but also for tomorrow’s. While we market current products to meet immediate demands, we are also working behind the scenes to research, develop and deliver solutions for challenges our customers do not yet know they have.

Change is not something we fear. It is something we welcome with intentionality, careful thought and an unwavering focus on the customer.

Innovation – Staying Focused on the Customer
Any company can follow a blueprint. The companies that endure are the ones that solve problems no one else is solving.

At Ergon, we invest in people who study long-term trends and bring forward ideas driven by anticipation of what customers will need next. Our scientists work to turn those ideas into practical solutions. Sales and technical teams engage directly with customers to understand their definition of success and help them achieve it. Supply chain and quality teams protect the consistency and reliability of every product we deliver. Administrative teams create a smooth, straightforward experience for our customers. Every function works toward the same goal — helping our customers succeed through innovation and service.

In short, everyone plays a role in innovation. If you ask anyone at Ergon, they will tell you there is always something new happening. A new product, a new process or a new initiative is always in motion. That is not by accident. It is essential for business success today.

Motivation – Giving Change a Purpose
Change is only possible when people believe in what they are doing. It is easier to embrace change when it is tied to a larger purpose.

The Lampton family, and especially the second generation — Leslie, Lee, Bill and Robert — have carried forward the standard of showing genuine care for people and treating employees like family. They have continued to lead with the belief that when Ergon succeeds, everyone succeeds. That principle still guides us today.

We show up for each other. We lead with genuine care. We connect the work we do to a greater impact, both locally and globally, so our people know their efforts matter.

Foundation – Staying True to Your Values
Our mission is simple. Meet needs. Support families. Serve customers. Everything we do ties back to that. No matter how much we grow, we remain at our core a service company.

That is our legacy, and it is also our future. The question we will continue to ask is the same one that has guided us from the start: How can we serve?

Service and humility are core mindsets that have kept Ergon strong for over seven decades, and it is what will carry us forward. The real question is this: What will carry your business into the future?

Recognizing 40 Years of Pilot Plant Innovation and Excellence

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In June 2025, Ergon Refining Inc. (ERI) celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Pilot Plant — a research facility in Vicksburg, Mississippi, designed to support both ERI and our Ergon – West Virginia Inc. (EWV) refineries.

The Pilot Plant plays a crucial role in Ergon’s research and development process, providing insights that lead to the implementation of new crudes, feedstocks, catalyst selections and more. Different types of oil discovery are constantly being brought to Ergon’s attention. The Marketing Team, Ergon Oil Purchasing Inc. and the Process Technology Group are responsible for identifying opportunities such as new crude wells or new catalysts that have entered the market, which are then tested through the Pilot Plant to determine viability.

The Pilot Plant operates 24 hours a day, five days a week with three sections incorporated into its layout. The first section is a Pilot Development Unit (PDU) which is used to test new catalysts and technologies. The second section is designated for crude assays, which involve testing the quality of new oils from all over the world. A five-gallon sample of oil is shipped to Vicksburg for the Pilot Plant Operations Group to start the crude distillation process, which fractionates the oil into all the different products that Ergon sells. From there, they can run the products through the laboratory to identify the quality of that oil and determine if we should purchase it. Last is a solvent extraction unit that processes flux and vacuum tower bottoms to identify strategic purchases that benefit ERI and Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Inc. These efforts not only progress ERI, but the Pilot Plant also supports EWV and any other needs for Ergon companies. “Ergon has consistently been dedicated to being the world leader in our niche markets. This business model is what makes us successful year after year,” says Dylan DeRosia, Process Technical Services Manager.

The experiments conducted by skilled operators at ERI keep Ergon on the leading edge as new technologies are tested and proven. There are three operators that run the Pilot Plant and two lab analysts that help analyze all the oils that come off. Additionally, Carter Osborne is the Process Technologist who creates the work schedule and sets priorities on projects and other tasks behind the scenes.

The Pilot Plant has been such a vital part of Ergon’s success, even as technology advances. Equipment is constantly being updated as the capability of this technology develops. Updates include new micro reactor system equipment and building renovations. Something to look forward to is Ergon’s effort to increase specialty oil production by 2032, and a lot of this will be concentrated through pilot testing. DeRosia reassures us that the Pilot Plant will continue to be a big part of everything Ergon does for the next several years.

Ergon Announces Emission Reduction Goal for Energy & Specialty Solutions Companies

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For Immediate Release

August 1, 2025

Ergon Announces Emission Reduction Goal for Energy & Specialty Solutions Companies

Flowood, Miss. — Ergon has announced a combined intensity-based emission reduction goal of 25% by 2028 for our Energy & Specialty Solutions companies. This goal utilizes a 2019 baseline of 0.31 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of product throughput.

In 2023, we introduced an intensity-based goal for Ergon Refining Inc. of reducing emissions by 25% by 2026. Recent insights from cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessments on products from our Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Newell, West Virginia, refineries, along with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions data and additional process safety improvements led to the decision to expand our goal to a broader focus that includes all of our specialty oil and specialty chemical companies.

“This comprehensive goal demonstrates the collective efforts of the ESS companies toward Doing Right for our planet through multiple efficiency projects that will result in real progress based on real data,” said Lance Puckett, Executive Vice President – Energy & Specialty Solutions, Ergon Inc.

This goal and our sustainability efforts, such as our companies obtaining International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS status and bringing sustainable specialty oils to market, are all part of our commitment to ensuring we remain the preferred partner for our customers while making a positive impact in communities worldwide.

Contact Information
Kathy Potts
Vice President – Marketing & Communications
Kathy.Potts@ergon.com
601.933.3000
ergon.com

National Intern Day: Building Leaders of Excellence

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At Ergon, we are dedicated to investing in future leaders. Through personal experiences and interactive, hands-on engagement, we aim to provide opportunities and insights that help students gain invaluable knowledge and develop expertise for their professional careers.

As part of National Intern Day, we want to spotlight some of the talented young men and women participating in Ergon’s Internship Program. This program allows interns across our business segments to engage with and contribute daily to projects at our facilities worldwide. Most importantly, we appreciate our interns’ commitment during the summer to learn about our operations across all sectors. During internships, participants are introduced to insightful career exploration, real-world experiences, skill development and networking opportunities with industry professionals.

Intern Spotlights: Learning and Growth
Aidan Moore, an intern with Crafco in Arizona, shares his impactful experience of learning several aspects of the asphalt industry and completing his first Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which he considers a milestone in his internship. “I have learned a lot about the process and how it works while working with asphalt and different aggregates in the lab. Feeling the satisfaction of knowing that I was able to understand and execute these tasks was a big moment for me,” Moore reflects.

Moore is one of several interns in the 2025 class who are engaging with various companies within the Ergon family, from Accounting to Engineering and from Data Governance to Marketing & Communications. Each intern has a unique story that contributes to the fabric of Ergon.

Jake Hutton, an Accounting intern stationed at Ergon’s corporate headquarters in Mississippi, expresses gratitude for the support he received as a newcomer. “So many people went out of their way to help me. It can be overwhelming to start something new like this internship, but the sense of community fosters a positive work environment. Everyone around me was so kind, and they never made me feel like any question was too tumultuous.”

Collin Lee also completed her internship with one of Ergon’s corporate departments, taking the Information Technology route, which she says allowed her to explore many technological aspects. “I worked on many of the inner workings of software and computers. I appreciate the professionalism and kindness of everyone around me.”

Defining Future Paths
When asked about how their internship experiences influenced their career decisions, many interns noted that Ergon helped solidify their desired career fields.

Sophia Chung says her experience as a Data Governance intern inspired her to work more in-depth with learning machines. This decision came after she discovered our integration of innovative tools in data science, technology and AI. She shares, “I would love to be a part of a team that is continuously integrating those types of tools in ways that are beneficial to them. I would love to be a part of designing tools and integrating them into similar businesses.”

Our People-Focused Culture
Ergon’s commitment to our communities and people plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation. Interns describe our company culture as family-oriented, collaborative, welcoming and friendly. Several of our interns shared that their departments went on team-building activities like dinners and cookouts to create rapport and genuine connections.

Our people-focused mindset is vital to our identity as a company. Interns have shared valuable advice with future participants considering an internship at Ergon. They encourage them to apply and explore the various resources and opportunities available. This experience can lead to greater self-discovery and confidence in making career choices.

The cultivation of Ergon’s Internship Program is to learn and grow. We would like to thank all our past and current interns for their hard work, dedication and willingness to grow with our company.

Ergon Celebrates Opening of Transformer Oil Technology Center in Indonesia

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Ergon recognizes the impact dielectric fluids can have on energy security in global power grids. We are excited to announce a significant milestone designed to assist in bridging the gap for network deployment and ensuring consistent quality dielectric fluids for evolving energy demands — the opening of Ergon’s first Transformer Oil Technology Center in Asia. Juan Acosta, Vice President of Sales – Asia, shared this new facility will be in Merak, Indonesia, within the Dover Chemical terminal complex.

“The opening of this center is an investment in research, development and technical service for premium dielectric fluids in the Asia region,” said Acosta. “How we respond to the acceleration of energy needs will play an important role in our ability to continue to partner with customers to ensure reliability, innovation and performance in the evolving transformer oil landscape.”

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As energy consumption continues to rise, the demand for reliable power grids has increased to ensure the smooth operation of power systems. Transformers play a crucial role in this process by helping to transport electricity generated from power plants across grids to homes and businesses worldwide. To maintain peak performance and prevent overheating during energy transmission, these transformers rely on the soul of the operation — transformer oils. These oils, also known as insulating oils or dielectric fluids, enhance transformer performance and promote reliable energy distribution long-term.

Ergon has grown to become a leading supplier of dielectric fluids thanks to our commitment to consistent quality and a secure supply of products such as our HyVolt Dielectric Fluids. HyVolt products are designed to meet insulation and cooling needs in electrical equipment applications for power and distribution transformers, switchgears, circuit breakers and more. The opening of the Transformer Oil Technology Center signifies the next step in our efforts to be the world’s preferred partner for innovative and specialized solutions to support the transformer oil industry.

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During the special opening ceremony for the technology center, Louis Lampton, Sales Executive and third-generation member of Ergon’s founding family, joined the Ergon team in Indonesia to celebrate this important occasion. He emphasized what this great achievement means for our ability to meet the growing energy needs within the Asia region. Louis also conducted the first official test performed in the new laboratory.

Cultivating Curiosity: Promoting STEM Interests Among Mississippi Students

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At Ergon, we recognize that investing in the community and future generations has a great impact on helping students reach their dreams and make a positive difference.

Building young innovators of the future. In recent years, there has been rapid growth in STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Today, schools, organizations and businesses are now implementing initiatives to provide grade-level students and high schoolers with opportunities to engage in STEM-related activities in traditional settings and extracurriculars.

Ergon has partnered with local groups and nonprofits to help spark curiosity, build confidence and show young people that STEM skills are needed in the diverse, technological workforce. One of our trusted partnerships is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, home to several Ergon businesses, including Ergon Refining Inc. (ERI), Magnolia Marine Transport Company, Ergon Marine & Industrial Supply Inc. and ISO Services.

SAME CAMP
Addi Moore, Operational Excellence Engineer for ERI, suggested and has steered our involvement with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) STEM/Engineering and Construction Camp since 2023. For just $100, 40 high school juniors and seniors across the country can apply to attend the weeklong SAME Camp and learn about mechanical, chemical and industrial engineering majors while exploring innovative careers in Vicksburg.

Maribel Melo, Human Resources Manager for ERI, shared that assisting the SAME Camp through volunteerism fulfills Ergon’s mission of Doing Right.

“Many employees are engaged in the community service that we do,” said Melo. “Our Outreach Team brings forward organizations and charitable events their coworkers would like to support, and it’s always fantastic to be a part of the efforts to bring service projects to life, like our involvement with SAME, to really make a difference.”

Maribel’s statement acts as a testament to our dedication. ERI has sponsored and participated in the SAME STEM Camp for the last three years. During these events, ERI has served lunch for the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Young Engineers Panel. ERI’s Clayton Dickerson sat on the panel and spoke to students about pathways to success post-graduation in both 2023 and 2024. This year, Addi Moore served as a panelist.

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But the ERI Team’s efforts to transform young minds didn’t stop there. Volunteers have since expanded their involvement over the last two years to give students a true feel of what it would be like in the workforce, exposing them to a mock simulation of a day on the job. Four workstations were created to immerse scholars in a professional career setting where they had a chance to experience interactive, real-life workflows step-by-step. Through these sessions, students were introduced to vital skills for working in laboratories and production facilities. Students explored the process of tank transfers with a hands-on training tool to rebuild a pump and valve to transfer water from one tank to the other. Another exercise was practicing safety methods with the Vicksburg Fire Department, including learning to use a fire extinguisher with virtual reality.

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STEM in the City
The road from Vicksburg to Jackson, Mississippi, is more than just a stretch of highway. It symbolizes our dedication to providing resources in academics, leadership development and a supportive environment for students across the state. Our work with the SAME Camp focuses on engaging with aspiring engineers through hands-on practices, and our partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi reflects a similar thread — learning by doing.

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In June 2025, Ergon’s Energy & Specialty Solutions (ESS) Community Outreach Team participated in STEM in the City: Exploring Jackson, Empowering Futures that SOAR. This event was organized by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi during STEM Week across all locations. Students aged 5 – 18 showcased projects and participated in STEM experiments led by Ergon and other local businesses in the Jackson Metro Area. Twelve ESS members set up an invention table that included slime-making to educate kids about molecules and polymers; lava lamps to introduce the concepts of density, mass and volume while demonstrating how oil and water don’t mix; screaming balloons to explore the science of sound, motion and vibration; and UV bead bracelets to teach about the types of light the sun emits and how chemical components react to ultraviolet light when exposed.

By connecting youth with real-world role models, we help encourage their continued interest in STEM education by making it fun and accessible while also strengthening engagement. Our participation reflects Ergon’s commitment to working together to make a long-term, positive impact on generations and the communities we serve.

To continue creating opportunities for engineering students, we are also a sponsor of Mississippi State University’s Summer Bridge Program. This transformative initiative serves as a building block for engineering students by providing educational workshops to help them be successful in academics, building relationships and developing skills to utilize in their professional careers.

Fueling Communities: The Story of Ergon’s Fuels Marketing Division

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Since our founding in 1954 as a small petroleum retailer in Jackson, Mississippi, Ergon has been grounded in the belief that strong communities are built through strong local partnerships. While our reach has expanded to serve customers in more than 100 countries, we continue to operate with the same relationship-driven mindset that has guided us from the beginning. A prime example of this continued commitment is Ergon’s Fuel Marketing Division — comprised of a team that prioritizes locally sourced crude and regionally focused service to help fuel communities.

Through Fuels Marketing, Ergon sells fuel produced at Ergon – West Virginia Inc. (EWV) in Newell, West Virginia, and Ergon Refining Inc. (ERI) in Vicksburg, Mississippi. With a steady focus on service and regional partnerships, this division has evolved into a trusted wholesale fuel supplier supporting jobbers, fuel distributors and businesses across multiple states.

Strategic Terminal Operations
Ergon Fuels Marketing currently operates out of our Newell, West Virginia, refinery and two terminals in Hugheston, West Virginia, and Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The Hugheston terminal, acquired in 2022, supplies a full range of refined fuel products including on-road diesel, dyed diesel for off-road use and multiple grades of gasoline (E0, 87E10, 89E10 and 93E10). Supplied by a refinery that sources most of its crude within a 150 – to 160-mile radius, the terminal reinforces Ergon’s investment in regional economies while serving more than 60 customers and a growing market footprint.

In Vicksburg, Ergon began selling rack diesel through a throughput arrangement in 2020 and expanded its operations in 2023 with the acquisition of a terminal from Citgo. This move positioned the Fuels Marketing Team to broaden their offerings and reach more communities throughout Western Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana.

Behind the operations is a small, agile team that brings Ergon’s people-first values to life every day. The Fuels Marketing Team includes Greg Binkley, Manager of Fuels Marketing; David Warden,  Business Optimization Specialist; Kristen Hoover, Data Management Specialist; Matt Woodall, Fuels Sales Representative (Mississippi and Louisiana) and Matt Slotter, Fuels Sales Representative (West Virginia, western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio). “Although a small team, many tasks are handled seamlessly by our dedicated people,” said Kirk Latson, Senior VP – Fuels Marketing. Each team member plays an integral role in customer service, sales, operational coordination and market development — proving that a focused, values-led team can have a wide-reaching impact.

Latson will retire in July 2025 after 40 years of service helping to build a robust Fuels Marketing Division and team dedicated to moving Ergon’s fuel operations forward, providing enhanced support in the markets we serve.

Looking Ahead
While Ergon does not currently sell fuel directly to retail consumers, the team remains flexible and prepared to adapt as the market evolves. No matter what the future holds, one thing remains consistent — our belief is that by providing quality, locally sourced and distributed fuel, we can support the communities we call home.

Ergon Maintains Global Supply Continuity Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2025

Ergon Maintains Global Supply Continuity Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

FLOWOOD, MISS. — As geopolitical developments continue to shape the global trade landscape, Ergon remains steadfast in our focus on ensuring supply security for our customers across all regions. From energy markets to shipping logistics, recent disruptions underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability and proactive planning in today’s complex environment.

At Ergon, we recognize that uncertainty, whether political, logistical or economic, can introduce risks to critical industries worldwide. That is why we continue to reinforce our global operations to maintain the reliability our customers have come to depend on.

Through enhanced coordination with our regional teams, investments in storage terminal capacity and close collaboration with supply chain partners, Ergon is actively monitoring global events. We are working directly with customers to refine forecasts, anticipate potential scenarios and recommend mitigation strategies as needed.

Our integrated global network, including key operations in Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, remains fully operational. We continue to ship and serve from all locations, and all of our supply lines remain online and available.

While conditions in some regions may evolve, Ergon remains committed to delivering consistent, high-quality service and supply assurance our partners expect. Together, we will navigate this period with resilience, preparedness and responsibility.

About Ergon
Ergon is a group of privately held companies that operate under three primary business segments: Energy & Specialty Solutions, Pavement & Coating Resources, and Integrated Services & Logistics.

Contact Information
Kathy Potts
Vice President – Marketing & Communications
601-933-3000
Kathy.Potts@ergon.com 
ergon.com

Giving, Educating and Creating Relationships With Young Engineers: Inside Ergon’s Participation in the TxDOT Materials Academy

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Ergon has had the privilege of participating with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Materials Academy since 2019, and we’re proud to be a trusted resource and contributor. The TxDOT Materials Academy is a partnership between the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the University of Texas Center for Transportation Research and the TxDOT Materials and Tests Divisions. The Materials Academy includes a three-week-long workshop that consists of 35 students, mainly young engineers, who are chosen from all over Texas. Many companies participate and present information and hands-on experience in topics ranging from soils, asphalt, cement and more. The workshop consists of classroom sessions, lab demonstrations and field trips to production sites.

Tom Flowers, one of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions’ Technical Marketing Managers, has proudly represented the Ergon family as part of the Materials Academy for the last seven years. He was joined by other Ergon employees for several years, including Renato Ceccovilli, until 2024. Ergon’s role in the Materials Academy is to present to the students an asphalt and emulsions presentation and a tour of our liquid asphalt terminal and quality control laboratory in Manor, Texas. In April 2025, Flowers also participated in a question-and-answer forum, sharing additional information and insights with students about the production and distribution of paving materials.

Ergon is dedicated to serving customers and being an industry leading resource for strategically improving roadway infrastructure. That’s why when opportunities arise, we’re glad to help educate young engineers about where our materials come from, the testing that is involved, best practices for optimal performance and so much more.

Our Family Values
Ergon is a family company, and we are always happy to share our family values, building relationships with our customers and industry partners so we can understand and meet their needs. Participation in educational industry events like the TxDOT Materials Academy allows Ergon to extend these values while helping to ensure participants’ success. In fact, before his presentation, Flowers asks all the students their names, where they work and how long they’ve been involved with TxDOT to create a personal interaction with every student. He also provides our contact information should they have questions after the workshop.

A family company dedicated to making a positive impact on people and in the industries we serve — that’s the Ergon way.

Ergon Announces Planned Fall Maintenance for Mississippi Refinery

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For Immediate Release

June 2, 2025

Ergon Announces Planned Fall Maintenance for Mississippi Refinery

VICKSBURG, MISS. – Ergon’s naphthenic refinery in Vicksburg, Mississippi – Ergon – Refining Inc. (ERI) – has scheduled a planned maintenance event beginning September 1, 2025. Various operating units of the ERI refinery will be down for approximately six weeks as we implement several reliability improvements. These improvements will further support our commitment to safe operations and a secure supply of products for our customers around the world.

No supply interruptions are expected for Ergon’s current ratable customers, as product inventory levels are sufficient to support sales during the planned outage. Customers are encouraged to contact their Ergon sales executive with any questions. Contact information is available at ergonspecialtyoils.com.

Contact Information
Kathy Potts 
Vice President – Marketing & Communications
601-933-3000
Kathy.Potts@ergon.com 
ergon.com