Sweating out slow sales
The early February deep-freeze that had propane sales across the country jumping should be a godsend to marketers squeezed by the lowest weather-driven propane demand in the last four years. read more
Electronic bill paying has its perks
Electronic payments processing, including electronic check conversion and collection, continues to grow at a rapid pace in the U.S. Surprisingly, one of the last industries to adopt electronic check processing is the propane industry. read more
Trends in family-owned businesses
Family owned businesses are unique in personality, behavior and culture. They operate with the complexities associated with the three overlapping components of ownership, the business and the family. read more
Sub-par temps, par golf
Like many of his peers in the LP-gas business, Johnny Williamson, branch manager of Four Point L.P. Gas, has seen the Georgia retailer's sales volume stagnate over the past four heating seasons as a result of unseasonably warm weather that's plagued many areas of the United States. read more
View from the top
Rick Roldan couldn't possibly have foreseen all that awaited him when he took the reins as president and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association in December 2002. Five years after the association's retooling and move to Washington, D.C., the man responsible for managing the transition and guiding the organization's new mission and strategic plan is facing bold new challenges on all fronts: a new national energy policy, a dramatic power swing in Congress, unprecedented industry consolidation and a radically changing global energy market. read more
Party ideals, legislative realities collide
Last month's column highlighted the Democrats' hope for swift passage of their priorities compared with some of the hard realities of legislating. read more
Propane not ultra-hazardous product
Recently, the propane industry has been under attack from members of the plaintiff's bar alleging that propane is an ultra-hazardous product. read more
Contractor, vendor and supplier safety
In my safety programs I always list contractors, vendors and suppliers as stakeholders in the safety process. read more
