NPGA affinity programs benefit propane retailers

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) strives to advance safety throughout the propane industry, to achieve public policies that favor production, distribution and increased use of propane, and to foster industrywide cohesion through communication, learning, networking and collaboration.

NPGA also offers members an array of discounted business services through its affinity partnership programs. Members receive discounts on uniforms, background checks, office supplies, credits card processing and more. In addition, it continuously seeks different programs to provide new benefits.

Programs are chosen for their relevance to the members’ needs and focus on streamlining their business operations. In late 2017, the Member Services Committee formed the Affinity Program Task Force. It reviewed all of the existing contracts and programs to ensure NPGA members were receiving the best offerings and service. In early 2018, three new providers were introduced.

Another consideration when choosing providers is the revenue the program can generate for NPGA and the state associations. The Member Services Committee recommended a revenue-sharing system beginning in 2018. It provides non-dues revenue to the state and regional propane associations. They are encouraged to promote the programs to their members, at their meetings and in their publications to increase participation and, by extension, increase the revenue created.

Here are the current affinity program providers:

Avatas Payment Solutions

Avatas Payment Solutions is a merchant services provider that specializes in the utility space with an emphasis on the energy industry. The payment and energy expert will analyze a company’s processes, deliver a comprehensive financial impact analysis and work to create a customized cash flow management strategy and payment process that makes sense for the business.

Cintas Uniform Program

Cintas provides members with special pricing on select uniforms and supplies.

Crum & Forster – Insurance Solutions

Crum & Forster works to raise the industry’s safety standards and performance by providing aggregate industry loss data, developing and promoting safety practices to mitigate the most common causes of incidents and collaborating with NPGA and the Propane Education & Research Council to create safety awareness among NPGA members.

Goodyear

Goodyear offers competitive pricing on commercial, light truck and auto tires.

HR University

Members have access to HR University, a training and support system designed to provide easy-to-understand solutions to employment issues, including teleworking, Affordable Care Act information and social networking.

LaborChex

LaborChex helps businesses in all 50 states by offering cost-effective employment background screening services to help them hire better qualified and safety-conscious workers.

P3 Propane Safety

The P3 Compliance System offers a safety documentation and compliance management system that includes error-recognition technology. The P3 Duty to Warn Program is a cost-effective turn-key process designed to provide propane marketers with a customized annual consumer safety mailing for their residential and commercial customers.

Propane Marketplace

The Marketplace lets visitors perform targeted searches for propane-related products and services using a keyword search or an alphabetized directory search by product categories.

Staples Business Advantage Premium

Members receive free shipping on all orders, industry-low pricing on paper and ink/toner, 3 percent savings on orders over $250 and exclusive monthly offers.

TekCollect

TekCollect specializes in accounts receivable management, collections operations and customer retention services to the propane industry.

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For more information on the NPGA affinity programs, visit npga.org/affinity-benefit-programs. If you have ideas for programs or services NPGA should offer its members, or want information about submitting a proposal for a program, contact Christine Hutcherson, director of Member Services.