A fond farewell
Among the many mementos that Chuck Brandon soon will be packing up is a plaque that hangs on the wall of his Kennesaw, Ga., office just outside Atlanta. Those who know him best agree that it pretty much says it all. read more
Propane-powered lawn mowers: A cut above other turf care fuels
Mowing down the competition may have new meaning for propane marketers who push the turf care benefits of LPG-powered commercial lawn mowers. By providing fuel for this brand new equipment, marketers could rake in some off-season greenbacks. read more
Road warriors
Caroline Guay was looking out the window of her home one-day several years ago when she saw something out of the ordinary. read more
Feeling the heat
For the first time ever, in early February, the ferry serving the Lake Erie Islands was able to shove-off into open waters -- much to the delight of an islander who was forced by a fierce December gale to leave his car ashore on the mainland. read more
The seasonal customer conundrum
Virtually all propane marketers have seasonal customers, primarily on their residential accounts and usually in areas where vacationing is a big part of the local economy. People often purchase second homes or have a hunting lodge that they might only use for a portion of the year or just on weekends. read more
In business, all profits are costs
Implications of this redefinition of profits serve a useful purpose in the measurement of a retail propane company's performance. The first purpose cited above is how we historically view profits -- the excess or what's left over after we have paid our bills. However, in the second point it may be that the profit is not sufficient to replace capital for worn-out equipment. read more
Limited liability aims at bad-faith claim
Guaranties are hard to come by. Sure, they are offered, but always at a price. When you buy a new appliance or electronic, they try to sell you a warranty to cover product failure after 12 months. Of course this is in addition to your purchase price, and the sad truth is, sometimes, you will need it. read more
Winter wonderland
It's winters like this past one that drive independent propane marketers into an early retirement. read more
Let’s Talk
Companies and employees too often fall victim to unfortunate events that are of their own creation. A long-standing accident theory (Heinrich's Domino Theory) states that accidents and injuries are a result of unsafe acts or conditions that are caused in part by personal fault due to a person's environment or ancestry. read more
