Eastern Propane acquires Blue Flame Gas

Eastern Propane Gas Inc., a New Hampshire corporation, has acquired the business assets of R.B. Sahagen Inc., which does business as Blue Flame Gas Co., headquartered in Rangeley, Maine. Blue Flame is a full-service propane sales, delivery and appliance business, which also owns and operates a retail store offering a wide range of products for the home. The transaction was completed Aug. 29.

With expertise in the propane industry, Robert and Jeannine Sahagen established Blue Flame in 1998. From their initial home-based operations, they grew the business to include a bulk plant that houses an office, vehicle repair and inventory space, and a 30,000-gallon storage tank.

After extensive on-the-job training, the Sahagen’s son Aaron Vryhof and his wife Meagan Vryhof took on leadership roles and joined Robert and Jeannine as owners in 2008. Blue Flame grew by acquisition of a local competitor, Rangeley Propane, and a stove shop, Rangeley Fireplace & Stove Co. Growth continued for the company while building relationships with builders and contractors in northeast New England.

“Building Blue Flame Gas has been a united family effort to guarantee our customers get the best service possible,” Robert Sahagen says. “We know Eastern Propane will carry on this legacy well.”

Eastern Propane is a fourth-generation family business established in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1932. Under the leadership of the Clement family, the business evolved from a hardware store to selling bottled gas under the name Country Gas Distributors and expanded to become a four-state LP gas retailer and wholesaler in 1969, when the business was renamed to Eastern Propane.

“We are pleased to welcome the Blue Flame Gas Co. team to Eastern,” Chuck Clement III, Eastern Propane president and co-owner, says. “Their customer service focus is a perfect fit with ours. We look forward to having their employees join the Eastern family.”

Cetane Associates served as the sole arranger to Blue Flame. Cetane advised on the sale, including an initial valuation opinion, marketing the business through a confidential process, assisting in negotiating the final deal terms and coordinating the due-diligence process. The transaction was managed by team members Tamera Kovacs, Fred Lord, Duncan McMurchie and Dalton Brooks.

“Working with the Sahagen and Vryhof families was a pleasure,” Kovacs says. “They’ve built a successful business through their professionalism and smart business practices. I wish them well as they enter their next chapter.”