Mirabito Fuel Group

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by: Tyler Murphy

In the early 1900s, an Italian immigrant founded a coal business in downtown Norwich, which, over the last century, has grown into a massive energy provider - not just for the city, but for the entire region.

The Mirabito Fuel Group supplies heat and 24-hour service to 12,333 homes in Central New York and operates more than 50 gas station/convenience stores.

“We’ve provided energy products in the area for a long, long time,” said John Pilkington, manager of the Mirabito branch in Norwich and Greene.

In the last year, the company experienced some growth, but Pilkington admits, the jump in energy costs has been a challenge.

“One of the things that continues to be a challenge to us and our customers is the spiraling cost of fuel and unpredictability of the market. The best thing our customers can do is lock the cost through one of our pre-pay or cap budget plans,” said Pilkington.

Through these choices, some customers can benefit from their advanced planning by locking in the cost of their fuel. The advantage to the company is a loyal customer and one who can afford to pay their bills on time, said Pilkington.

Mirabito was originally founded in 1927 by James Mirabito who called his enterprise the James Mirabito Coal Business. The venture continued to be family operated and in 1940, became a larger company through the purchase of H.M. Bloxham Coal and Feed Company in Sidney.

As time went on, Mirabito Fuel continued to be handed down through the generations. The Mirabito family retains ownership today and runs the massive energy distributor from headquarters in Binghamton. Apart from Binghamton, the company has expanded into several other surrounding areas such as Syracuse, Oneonta, Utica and Sidney.

Marilyn DeBlock, who has worked out of the Norwich site for over 20 years, says she loves her job. “The family has been in Norwich forever. I love my job. I couldn’t have worked here for this long if I didn’t,” she said.

The Mirabito Fuel Group is not just a heating oil supplier, but also offers a variety of other products including propane, natural gas, coal, gasoline, diesel fuels, kerosene and lubricants.

The company expanded its operations in 1982 to included retail. It operates Quickway Food Stores, one of the largest chains in central New York.

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