LPG Spotlight: Great White Propane

In an age when new technology is introduced regularly, the propane industry can be hesitant to adapt, opting to maintain a traditional business model and values.

Great White Propane has found a sweet spot between keeping the traditional industry values while seizing technological opportunities to advance its business and serve more customers.

George Yakaboski Jr. founded Great White Propane, based in Long Island, New York, in 2010.

George began Great White Propane part time as a way to make extra income. A few years later, he transitioned to working at the company full time. Fast forward a few more years, and George had convinced his wife, Yvonne, to leave her bank job and work with him. Once they were both working full time, George says, the business began to take off.

In June 2019, the retailer, which serves customers across eastern and western Long Island, was approached by Tankfarm, a propane distribution platform founded in October 2016. Tankfarm markets to its own customer base, but operates entirely without delivery trucks. Instead, it utilizes technology to partner with retailers for the propane deliveries. The retailers receive an exclusive territory from Tankfarm, delivering to those customers and increasing their gallon sales.

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In this video, Andrew Heaney, co-founder and CEO of Tankfarm, and Mark Zimora, COO of Tankfarm, talk about the company’s focus on software and its partnership with Great White Propane. 

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Andrew Heaney, co-founder and CEO of Tankfarm, says that when his team visited Great White Propane to discuss partnering opportunities, Yvonne had given birth to a son days prior to the meeting. Nevertheless, she was sitting with George and their infant, and ready to talk business. Heaney recognized how family-oriented George and Yvonne were and decided that partnering with them was a no-brainer.

“We just walked through the onboarding process and [there’s] this tiny baby in the office, and I took that as a very good omen that we’re going to have a good relationship with this company,” Heaney says. “They’re all in. If Mom is that hardworking that she’s going to basically leave the hospital and bring the baby with her to work, these are the kind of people you want to be in business with.”

To solidify the partnership, Tankfarm reviewed safety information with Great White Propane, ensured that its systems were up to date and went over documentation related to the business.

The husband-wife duo at Great White Propane says the two companies have a mutually beneficial business relationship, and that business has been growing on a weekly basis since partnering.

Tankfarm also invests in software and tank monitors designed to alert Great White Propane when it’s time to make a delivery, without the customer ever needing to check on levels.

Great White Propane will continue to do business with Tankfarm, according to George. In addition to the growth the retailer has experienced, Great White Propane enjoys working with Tankfarm because of its shared values, work ethic and dedication to the industry.

“If we have any questions on anything, they get right back to us,” George says. “They’ve answered emails at 9 o’clock at night. I can reach out to the owner and they’ll get back right away, which is how we work too. They have our back and we have theirs.”

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GREAT WHITE PROPANE

Year Founded // 2010
Founder // George Yakaboski Jr.
Owners // George & Yvonne Yakaboski
Headquarters // Long Island, New York
Employees // 8
Bobtails // 3

Featured image: Getty Images: fusaromike/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images