Propane companies must put financial tools in place
November 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes and LP Gas
To reach their potential, companies first must have financial tools in place.
Read More Assessing your debt needs
June 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Higher wholesale propane costs press need for working capital
Read More Financing growth the right way
April 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Historically, a number of consistently profitable operators in the retail propane industry have chosen to finance growth through their company’s annual earnings. This is an overly simplistic and, frankly, shortsighted view of how to finance growth.
Read More Know the financial basics
January 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
In this second column of a series, we address the financial fundamentals of a startup retail propane operation. This two-dimensional visual is useful in talking about the important financial components of your startup operation.
Read More Maintenance capital – the ignored expenditure
October 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
All facilities and equipment deteriorate with use, weather and age. While we expect to replace certain capital items, many of us do not plan well for this significant expense.
Read More Financial mistakes in family business
June 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
Many family owned businesses in this industry do a lot of things very well, yet can blunder terribly when it comes to financial matters. These errors can cost the family significant value and prevent it from achieving the very goals it set out to achieve when the business was started.
Read More Customer investment pays profits
January 1, 2007 By LP Gas
Continued company growth depends on growing and retaining a strong customer base.
Read More Valuation methodologies matter
December 1, 2006 By Carl Hughes
We all are basically in the same business, yet it is a curious fact that many of us see value in a very different way. This difference is important to understand as we attempt to grow and presumably increase the value of our companies.
Read More Focus on contribution, not effort
October 1, 2006 By Carl Hughes
This is the eighth in a series on business topics inspired by the 20th century business management icon Peter Drucker.
Read More Securing debt financing
July 1, 2006 By LP Gas
Changing market dynamics often lead to additional debt financing requirements for companies active in the LPG business. Management needs to access the required capital, at a competitive interest rate and with the best available terms and conditions while maintaining a capital structure flexible enough to respond to yet additional changes in the Company’s competitive landscape.
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