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History

The history of Penn Valley Gas is more than a story about how a business was started. It’s a testimony to God’s sovereignty and grace. It’s about a family of people that God has gathered together with a common purpose: to glorify Him by faithfully serving our family of customers with excellence. In the beginning Penn Valley was dedicated as “the Lord’s business” and that continues to be our commitment today. We are thankful that many people have been influenced by the ministry of Penn Valley over the past 60 years.

In July 1955, Ruth Fretz, the daughter of a Mennonite farmer in Bucks County, PA, was finishing her nurse’s training at Norristown State Hospital when she met Ken Balmer, a hardworking Church of the Brethren farm boy from Lebanon County, PA, who was serving at the hospital through the 1W service. Fourteen months later, Ken and Ruth were married, and four months after that, on January 1, 1957, Ken and Ruth founded Penn Valley Bottled Gas Company that later simplified its name to Penn Valley Gas (PVG).

The first ten years of business were an important time for PVG because in many ways a foundation was being laid for the future growth of the company. Ken and Ruth purchased a farm in Telford which provided the room necessary for the business to grow; PVG installed its first 30,000-gallon storage tank in Telford and entered the wholesale propane business.

The 1970s were a period of growth for PVG because mobile homes began to use propane as their primary source of heat instead of only for cooking and hot water. PVG pioneered the installation of central supply systems in several mobile home parks to provide for this increase in usage. PVG used plastic piping for some of these projects, which was a first in the propane industry.

In the 1980s the second generation of Balmers began to work full-time for PVG and in 1989, after nearly three decades of operating out of Ken and Ruth’s home, the company’s offices were moved into a new building on the farm. At the same time, leadership officially transitioned to Ken and Ruth’s sons: Dan, Dale and Dwane.

The region served by PVG changed dramatically in the 1990s as farms disappeared and more homes were built in the countryside. Dan pursued relationships with homebuilders and began installing underground tanks for entire housing developments. PVG now serves over 120 developments in southeastern Pennsylvania.

In the 2000s, PVG continues to experience ongoing growth in both its retail and wholesale operations. Our transportation division has grown from two Peterbilts into a fleet of ten. Additionally, PVG purchased its first backhoe to provide a convenient and top-notch means of installing underground tanks for customers. It was also during this time that Ken and Ruth’s grandchildren began to work more regularly in the business.

Amazingly, PVG has never advertised for a service technician or driver, instead the Lord has always provided the right person through the network of relationships fostered by employees, friends, family and the community. Over the past 60 years the PVG family of employees has grown to include husbands and wives, fathers, sons, brothers, sisters, cousins, in-laws, neighbors and friends. Their commitment to PVG and years of experience are something that sets us apart from our competition.

As we look back on our heritage, we thank the Lord for over 60 years of trusted relationships with employees, families, customers and friends. This is the foundation that guides our future as we look forward to many more years of meeting your energy needs with excellence.