TEECO is a wholesale distributor and fabricator of gas equipment established in 1946. The employees here are dedicated to providing the highest possible level of customer service and quality merchandise at competitive prices.
📍1940s – Humble Beginnings (1946–1949)
In response to booming post-war demand for LP-Gas equipment, Bennett C. Tilden founded TEECO in 1946 by. Starting from the trunk of his green 1941 Pontiac, Ben sold valves, regulators, and fittings. Rapid growth led to the creation of Tilden Engineering and Equipment Co. (TEECO), which moved into a small garage, then a 420 sq ft building in Los Angeles, and eventually relocated to a larger space in Fresno by 1949.
📍1950s – Expansion and Team Building
TEECO returned to Los Angeles in 1953 to support growing business in Southern California. In 1956, it moved into a new 10,000 sq ft facility in Burbank, CA. The team grew to 19 employees, including several future company leaders. TEECO adapted to explosive industry growth, fueled by the rise of national LP-Gas companies, by continuously scaling operations and facilities.
📍1960s – Regional Growth and Diversification
To better serve the Western U.S., TEECO moved into a 20,000 sq ft warehouse in Anaheim, CA. The company launched a full meter service program, expanded into the agricultural market for fertilizer applications, and broadened its service area across the Far West. TEECO’s leadership team prepared the company for the dynamic changes ahead.
📍1970s – Fire, Recovery & Ownership Transition
A major fire in 1972 destroyed the Anaheim facility, but TEECO was back in operation within days and moved to a new custom-built location in Irvine in 1973. The oil crises of the ’70s spiked demand for propane vehicle conversions. TEECO opened new branches, acquired Simpson-Eckel Co., and expanded to Auburn, WA. In 1976, founders Ben and Marti Tilden retired, selling the company to Leonard Andrews.
📍1980s – National Reach and Strategic Acquisitions
Industry consolidation allowed TEECO to acquire Hill’s Gas & Appliance, expanding service to 18 Western states. In 1989, the acquisition of PACA added truck and dispenser fabrication, carburetion services, and engineering capabilities, all housed in a new 46,000 sq ft Sacramento facility, transforming TEECO into a full-service LP-Gas solutions provider.
📍1990s – Product Line Expansion and Super Store Model
TEECO acquired new product lines like Homestead Patio Heaters, premium gas grills, and R.W. Lyall fittings. At the close of the 1990’s, recognizing Sacramento’s potential as a central hub, TEECO consolidated inventory there, transforming it into a “Super Store” for LP-Gas dealers. Irvine remained the corporate headquarters, while Sacramento began the new century as the primary distribution center.
📍2000s – Digital Transformation
In 2000, TEECO entered the digital era with a simple website, which evolved into a full B2B e-commerce platform by 2005. With real-time data and online ordering, customers could now do business 24/7. Despite industry challenges like high fuel prices and mild winters, TEECO remained positioned for the next cycle of growth.
📍2020s – A New Chapter (2025 and Beyond)
2025 marked a new beginning as Ray Murray, Inc. (RMI), a leading distributor based in Lee, MA, acquired TEECO’s assets. This strategic partnership expanded both companies’ product lines and geographic reach, enabling them to service virtually the entire United States. Today, TEECO operates locations in Sacramento, CA; Auburn, WA; and Rapid City, SD, under the leadership of President Jay Stephens. As we look ahead, TEECO honors its founders and longtime contributors—including Ben & Martha Tilden, Leonard & John Andrews, Mike Ball, Gene Hardester, John Parkhouse, Marshall Etter, Ed Albertoni, Dwaine Goodwin, and Bob Bailey—while also thanking its vendors, customers, and team members for making TEECO what it is today.