Propane retailers feeling heat from challenging economic conditions

December 1, 2008 By LP Gas

Yep, things are a mess. Looking back, retailing sure was easy before overwhelming regulation and sky-high insurance took the fun out of the business. Sure, you worried about what weather Mother Nature would be throwing at you any given year. Sure, you spent a sleepless night or two, wondering whether you’d made the right decision about adding a bobtail despite a new retailer invading your territory. But global economic crisis? Where did this come from? Yep, things are a mess.

This article is tagged with marketing, propane customers, propane equipment, propane pricing, propane retail operation, propane retail operations, propane sales, propane supply, propane technology, State of the Industry and posted in Current Issue

Understand, measure and improve customer experiences

December 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes

If your company successfully completed a new tank installation on time and without problems, is the new customer event considered a success if all that Mrs. Smith (the new homeowner) remembers is grumpy workers and tracked flower beds?

This article is tagged with business, Carl Hughes, customer service and posted in Current Issue

Propane safety in tough times

December 1, 2008 By Jay Johnston and LP Gas

Times have been tough for propane marketers.

This article is tagged with Certified Employee Training Program (CETP), jay johnston, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), propane safety, safety, safety and training, safety column, Safety First column and posted in Current Issue

Case shows importance of monitoring cathodic protection of lines, tanks

December 1, 2008 By John McCoy

On Dec. 6, 2006, an industrial explosion shook Milwaukee, leaving three people dead, 67 injured and property damages in excess of $75 million. The case received national media attention. Locally, it was considered one of the biggest news stories of the year.

This article is tagged with cathodic protection, John McCoy, legal, Legal Brief, propane legal issues, Wisconsin and posted in Current Issue, Blue Flame Blog, From the Magazine

Be as green as possible in your business

December 1, 2008 By Tom Jaenicke

The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo was held last month in Boston. The event was hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council to explore the latest green building products and technologies that can qualify for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating system, a nationally known third-party certification program. For three days I immersed myself in green building products, technologies and education at Greenbuild. I came away comparing the propane industry to what is going on in the fastest-growing segment of the building industry. There are green opportunities for the propane industry, but we have some catching up to do.

This article is tagged with business, tom jaenicke and posted in Current Issue

Democrats will enhance power by reaching 60 Senate seats

November 1, 2008 By Lisa Bontempo

Democrats will enhance their power by reaching 60 seats in the Senate.

This article is tagged with government, legislation, lisa bontempo, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), NPGA, Washington D.C. and posted in Current Issue

2008 Propane Suppliers Guide

November 1, 2008 By LP Gas

An expanded directory of the propane industry’s top product sources

This article is tagged with pipelines, propane supply, terminals, transports and posted in Current Issue

Reliable Propane finds value in company newsletter

November 1, 2008 By Brian Richesson

Nov SnapshotWhen Reliable Propane launched its company newsletter in 2002, President Ken Albrecht was pictured wearing a shirt and tie.

This article is tagged with Ken Albrecht, New York, propane retail operation, propane retail operations, Reliable Propane, snapshot and posted in Current Issue

It’s time to rev our engines

November 1, 2008 By Patrick Hyland

The industry is shifting resources to motor fuel, but time is running out.

This article is tagged with autogas, Patrick Hyland, PERC, propane autogas, Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), Roush CleanTech and posted in Current Issue

New agency weighs future of propane industry advertising campaign

November 1, 2008 By Jennifer Webb and LP Gas

For 10 years, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has worked to advance the use of propane in this country by raising awareness among consumers, homeowners and builders. For nine of those years, the council was helped by Porter Novelli, a global advertising agency that offered guidance and created advertisements to boost the council’s communication efforts.

This article is tagged with Energy Guys, Ferrellgas, Kate Caskin, marketing, PERC, Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), Scott Brockelmeyer and posted in Current Issue

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