Petroleum wholesaler Guttman Energy Inc. has exited the propane and lubricants businesses with the sale of its Guttman Oil Co. division to Chicago-based Energy Distribution Partners (EDP), a privately-held company led by propane industry veteran operator, Thomas Knauff.

Founded in 1931, Guttman is a provider of energy procurement solutions and logistics management services, for petroleum, natural gas and electricity, serving the commercial, industrial and retail markets, with customers located in 15 states. Guttman Oil grew to more than $3 billion in annual sales last year.

Guttman chose to divest its propane and lubricants division to focus capital on the continued growth of its core business: the procurement and logistics management of refined fuels, natural gas and electricity.

“We would like to express our thanks to our valued Columbus Division employees for the 32 years of business that Guttman Oil Co. enjoyed in the Columbus market,” said Alan Guttman. “You represented our company with true professionalism and a passionate concern for the customer.”

EDP, founded in 2011 when Knauff and Marlo Young, EVP Retail Propane teamed up to acquire, develop and manage companies and assets in the petroleum midstream and downstream sectors in which the firm has expertise, with an intense focus on retail propane and natural gas liquids (“NGL”) midstream assets such as pipelines, storage facilities and terminals. Guttman Oil’s Columbus Division, now operating as BrightStar Propane & Fuels, adds to EDP’s Ohio-based operations of Linden’s Propane and Ludwig Propane. EDP’s acquisition efforts are led by Brett Krause, Corporate Development.