Oklahoma: A Story Through Her People

Since its founding in 1966 as a small
common carrier with an intrastate permit
only to operate in Oklahoma, United
Petroleum Transports has become the premier
provider of liquid bulk transportation
services to energy and chemical industries in
the southwest United States.
The company originally operated as
Oklahoma Tank Lines, Inc., with Keith Price
as owner and president. After deregulation
in 1980, Greg Price convinced his dad to
purchase a small Pennsylvania carrier and
relocate to Oklahoma. This carrier’s interstate
permit allowed the new company to deliver
outside the state under the name of United
Petroleum Transports.
After Keith’s untimely death in 1993,
Greg became president and CEO, a post he
still holds. He notes that the company’s
success is largely due to key relationships
developed over the years. Since
acquiring Western Commercial in
1997, UPT has expanded its
footprint throughout Texas and
New Mexico, and in 2002, further
expanded to Phoenix at the request
of QuikTrip Corporation.
“In its early years Oklahoma
Tank Lines handled all convenient
store deliveries to local Kerr-McGee
gas stations,” Greg says. “Then, as
the Love’s family grew its truck
stop network across Oklahoma
and the southwest, OTL and UPT
grew to meet the rising demand.
“When Love’s decided to form its own
trucking company, Gemini Transport, UPT
transitioned again, this time with customers
such as Murphy USA, QuikTrip, OnCue,
ConocoPhillips, and many others. UPT prides
itself on being flexible and resilient, embracing
change and meeting industry challenges,”
Greg says.
United Petroleum Transports recently
moved into the crude industry. Matthew K.
Price, vice president of marketing and corporate
culture, notes that the company now
has more than fifty drivers and equipment
hauling crude oil for the nation’s largest producers
in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
“Our long-term strategic plan is always
to be a resource to our customers, leveraging
our relationships to expand offerings to
existing and new customers: geographically,
products and lanes,” Matthew says.
UPT actively participates in several nonprofit
groups in Oklahoma City, including
Rebuilding Together-OKC, Infant Crisis
Services, City Rescue Mission, and Faith
Works. The company also plays an active
role in all state trucking associations and
in the largest industry trade associations
the National Tank Truck Carriers and the
American Trucking Association. In keeping
with Keith’s vision, UPT’s mission emphasizes
safety, customer service, culture, and environment,
trusting that success will follow if those
goals are met. Vendors, valued customers, and
especially the company’s professional drivers
are all considered part of a lasting legacy, as
well as valued members of the family.
Left: Keith Price.
UNITED
PETROLEUM
TRANSPORTS
O K L A H O M A P A R T N E R S
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