About Automatic Gas
Founded in 1931 by Herbert C. Pittman, Automatic Gas Company, Inc. was a cornerstone in the liquefied petroleum gas business in Tyler. As the oil boom exploded, an influx of new residents settled in the communities of Kilgore, Longview, Gladewater and Overton. Rural customers were soon receiving "Service Where the Gas Line Ends" by a company that had a vision for strong customer service...Automatic Gas Company.
Among the most dramatic changes of the period was that of life on the farm. Everything from warm homes and hot water heaters to refrigerators and washing machines was now available. Pittman knew the transformation would become an important component in his company and an innovative campaign was launched, proclaiming that "Home-sweet-home can be sweeter with Automatic Gas system."
In 1935, Automatic Gas Company joined forces with Exxon USA, and by the time of Pittman's death in 1956 the company's LP-gas sales spanned hundreds of miles. Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Francis began their leadership of the company as Mrs. Francis was named president, Mr. Francis became vice president and Charlie Jones became vice president and general manager.
Today the company supplies over twenty thousand propane customers out of its main facility in Tyler and 8 branch stores in Jacksonville, Quitman, Gilmer, Henderson, Kemp, Terrell, Campbell and Canton. After diversifying into manufacturing portable gas stoves under the guidance of Mr. Francis in 1962, Automatic Gas Company, Inc. has enjoyed great favor among backyard chefs, hunters and fisherman. Produced in the basement of their store in Tyler, the stove is one of the many items sold in the appliance center located on the first floor of the same building.
In business for over seventy years, Automatic Gas Company, Inc. continues to find ways of expanding its services and offers the very best in customer service and satisfaction. At the company's golden anniversary in 1981, Mrs. Francis recalled, "Automatic Gas has gone through many changes in its lifetime but we like to think that one thing has never changed...our company's policy of always trying to be first with improved service for people in rural areas beyond natural gas line."