Episode 41: From Two Trucks to Three Generations: The Kludt Oil Story

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. In this episode, host Natalie Kling speaks with the Kludt family—three generations behind Kludt Oil, a Northern California fuel delivery company that started with a small gas station and two trucks in 1962 and has grown into a trusted provider serving farms, ranches, and businesses across the region. What makes this conversation powerful isn’t just the longevity—it’s how each generation has shaped the business in its own way. From a matriarch who built the financial systems by hand, to a second generation that bet everything on growth, to brothers now navigating leadership together in a volatile and evolving industry. We talk about what it really looks like to grow up inside a family business, how roles evolve over time, and the constant tension between working in the business and working on it. This is a story about legacy, adaptability, and the reality of running a business where family, employees, and customers are all deeply connected. Why It Matters Family businesses are the backbone of local economies—but sustaining them across generations is anything but simple. This episode highlights the real challenges: succession, sibling dynamics, hiring the right people, and navigating industry disruption. It also reinforces something deeper—values, culture, and trust are often the true drivers of long-term success. There’s a lot to learn here about stewardship, resilience, and building something that lasts. Not to mention how the family is dealing with an oil shortage/crisis at the time of the recording. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & the Kludt Oil origin story 01:00 – From a small gas station to a growing fuel delivery business 03:00 – Early risks, reinvestment, and building infrastructure 07:00 – The matriarch behind the systems and profitability 10:00 – Growing up in the business across generations 16:00 – Expanding services and driving revenue growth 21:00 – Brother dynamics and leadership evolution 31:00 – Culture, employees, and treating people like family 35:00 – Industry volatility and fuel market challenges 43:00 – Working on vs in the business 50:00 – Hard work vs luck—and what really drives success You can find more about Kludt Oil by visiting their website: To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE . To learn more about River City Bank and how they can benefit your family business, visit

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Episode 41: From Two Trucks to Three Generations: The Kludt Oil Story is an episode from A Seat at the Table by Capital Region Family Business Center.

This episode is 54:37 long.

This episode was published on Apr 1, 2026.

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