Hopatcong Gas merges with Combined Energy Services

HOPATCONG — Hopatcong Gas Services, a Sussex County-supplier of propane gas, has merged with Combined Energy Services, a regional supplier of propane gas and fuel oil.

Established in 1994 by Bill Sutphen as part of the family hardware store business in Lake Hopatcong, the company grew to service parts of Sussex and Morris counties, including: Byram, Netcong, Roxbury, Ledgewood, Stanhope, Jefferson and Mount Arlington.

When the time came to sell Hopatcong Gas, the Sutphens could have chosen a nationwide gas corporation but knew their customers would be unhappy in the long run.

“When you supply people for decades, they’re more than ‘just’ customers – they’re friends and family,” Manager Sherri Sutphen Norlander said. “We’ve known Combined Energy Services, their people and the Taylors for a long time and knew they would take care of our customers properly, instead of treating them like a number, like corporations do.”

CES hopes to bring additional services to Hopatcong Gas customers, including automatic bulk deliveries and cylinder deliveries, expanded service capabilities and installation of gas burning appliances, heating systems and fuel oil conversions.

“Hopatcong Gas is a perfect fit with CES as we’re gaining new customers all over North New Jersey every day,” said CES Manager Mike Taylor. “We’re on target with our new office and showroom along with a full-service distribution center which will open shortly to better service our growing customer base.

Customers of Hopatcong Gas shouldn’t see much difference going forward, just great service from another family-owned company that cares for their customers, along with expanded capabilities.”