LPG Spotlight: Energy Partners

Energy Partners LLC formed in 2001 out of a partnership between CHS Inc. and Missoula Electric Coop (MEC). Since its founding, the company has provided propane to customers throughout western Montana and has expanded to seven locations so far.

Energy Partners’ senior leadership team, from left: DeWayne O’Brien, Bridget Mentel, Paula Lemmon, Tucker Eslinger, Bob Dube, Debbie Dube, Amber Stark, Michael Henry and Kim Job. (Photo by DeWayne O’Brien)

Its growth is a direct result of its loyal employees, vast industry knowledge and customer retention efforts, according to DeWayne O’Brien, Energy Partners’ general manager.

“Consistent daily business practices have been key to our success,” he says. “While we continually evolve and advance in various ways, we always stay true to our core values of reliability and personalized service.”

With more than 20 satellite tanks and two rail facilities, Energy Partners focuses on the future, too. Company leadership strives to answer two critical questions: What are we not doing that we should? And how can we be more than just a gas company?

To answer these questions, the company focuses on current and upcoming trends in the propane industry, such as technology that will improve their customers’ experiences.

“For example, in the last three years, we have rebranded our company logo with a fresh new look and installed thousands of tank monitors for our customers,” O’Brien says. “We have also redesigned our website to enhance our customers’ experiences, installed new routing software to be more efficient with deliveries and installed telematics into our fleet.”

The company also listens to customers, resulting in its reputation for reliable service. And, as it continues to add improved efficiencies to its operations, Energy Partners has become price competitive in its marketplace.

Aside from its attention to consistency, customers’ experiences and technology advancements, the company makes safety a top priority. To ensure safety, Energy Partners increases employees’ wages by 1.5 percent to 2 percent for each Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) test they pass.

“This gives them more control to advance their incomes at faster rates over and above their annual increases, which has been very rewarding for everyone involved,” O’Brien says. “It has also expedited the knowledge and training our employees need to perform their jobs as safely as possible.”

Furthermore, the company added a safety director, Tucker Eslinger, to its leadership team. Eslinger elevates the company’s CETP offerings, Department of Transportation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance and training, and overall safety programs.

O’Brien says the company will strive to improve every aspect of its operations to remain a competitive propane marketer in western Montana for years to come.

“We often say that we didn’t come this far only to come this far,” O’Brien adds. “Continual improvement is always – and will remain – our primary goal.”

Company profile: Energy Partners

Year founded // 2001
Founder and owners // CHS Inc. and Missoula Electric Coop (MEC)
Headquarters // Missoula, Montana
Bobtails // 22
Annual gallon sales // 10 million