Rob Germinara has been in the propane and trucking business in Newburyport for 16 1/2 years. In January, he added one more business - home heating oil delivery."I grew tired of paying too much for home heating oil. I want to be around to keep the big guys in check. I'm trying to take care of my customers. I think people want to deal with an honest man."So at 39 he launched Germinara Oil Co. He's hooked up with a big oil supplier and hopes to grow his business with that company. His territory includes Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Byfield and Salisbury."I want to be around for the next 50 years and be known as Newburyport's oil company. I want the business to be around for my sons, Brock, 11, and Jack, 9. The oldest one will be treasurer and the 9-year-old will be assistant vice-president," he said.Germinara, a native of Newburyport who grew up on Ashland Street, said he is a mix of the modern and the traditional. He welcomes technology. His oil company has a website, www.germinara-oil.com and his storage tank and pumping equipment at the Industrial Park at 77 Parker Street is the latest and best.But his delivery truck is a 1974 classic."I feel I've been misplanted. I'm really from another age. My best friend and mentor is 84," he said, as if to explain why he bought a 1974 Mac truck to deliver oil."I took it apart and rebuilt it, then installed state-of-the-art metering equipment. It's a blend of the old and the new," he said.Germinara's business has been an oil storage space since at least 1910. It was once the home of Joe Vargile's camper and oil business, known as Van's Oil. Before Vargile owned the property, Standard Oil Co. owned it from 1910 to 1912.Germinara has a 153,000-gallon above-ground oil storage tank on his Parker Street land. He runs the trucking and propane business from there, along with Germinara Oil Co."I want to be famous for being a good guy," he said. "I want to be known for giving outstanding service to my customers. I won't overcharge them and if I get a call on Sunday morning from someone who wants 100 gallons of oil, I will deliver it and I won't charge extra for it."His website says he also gives discounts to veterans and the elderly. His Germinara Oil Co. refrigerator magnets in his favorite colors - yellow and red - reflect his eagerness to serve his customers. The message is that he delivers seven days a week for a minimum of 100 gallons and takes MasterCard and Visa."We are taking a lot of examples from the 'greatest generation' who fought in World War II. I have great respect for all veterans and what they have done for this country. I take my lessons from my 84-year-old friend and mentor. I listen to the old and take on the new."
Rob Germinara has been in the propane and trucking business in Newburyport for 16 1/2 years. In January, he added one more business - home heating oil delivery.
"I grew tired of paying too much for home heating oil. I want to be around to keep the big guys in check. I'm trying to take care of my customers. I think people want to deal with an honest man."
So at 39 he launched Germinara Oil Co. He's hooked up with a big oil supplier and hopes to grow his business with that company. His territory includes Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Byfield and Salisbury.
"I want to be around for the next 50 years and be known as Newburyport's oil company. I want the business to be around for my sons, Brock, 11, and Jack, 9. The oldest one will be treasurer and the 9-year-old will be assistant vice-president," he said.
Germinara, a native of Newburyport who grew up on Ashland Street, said he is a mix of the modern and the traditional. He welcomes technology. His oil company has a website, www.germinara-oil.com and his storage tank and pumping equipment at the Industrial Park at 77 Parker Street is the latest and best.
But his delivery truck is a 1974 classic.
"I feel I've been misplanted. I'm really from another age. My best friend and mentor is 84," he said, as if to explain why he bought a 1974 Mac truck to deliver oil.
"I took it apart and rebuilt it, then installed state-of-the-art metering equipment. It's a blend of the old and the new," he said.
Germinara's business has been an oil storage space since at least 1910. It was once the home of Joe Vargile's camper and oil business, known as Van's Oil. Before Vargile owned the property, Standard Oil Co. owned it from 1910 to 1912.
Germinara has a 153,000-gallon above-ground oil storage tank on his Parker Street land. He runs the trucking and propane business from there, along with Germinara Oil Co.
"I want to be famous for being a good guy," he said. "I want to be known for giving outstanding service to my customers. I won't overcharge them and if I get a call on Sunday morning from someone who wants 100 gallons of oil, I will deliver it and I won't charge extra for it."
His website says he also gives discounts to veterans and the elderly. His Germinara Oil Co. refrigerator magnets in his favorite colors - yellow and red - reflect his eagerness to serve his customers. The message is that he delivers seven days a week for a minimum of 100 gallons and takes MasterCard and Visa.
"We are taking a lot of examples from the 'greatest generation' who fought in World War II. I have great respect for all veterans and what they have done for this country. I take my lessons from my 84-year-old friend and mentor. I listen to the old and take on the new."
Friday, November 21, 2008 
