The cost of high prices
April 1, 2008 By Patrick Hyland
This winter’s rampaging propane prices spared no marketers from lost customers, crimped cash flow and mangled margins.
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 Don’t reinvent the wheel
April 1, 2008 By John McCoy
The practice of a trial lawyer is carried out from a unique vantage point. I have an ability to see the problems that face the industry that result in real conflict. There is enough conflict that people are driven to involve a lawyer to address the matter. In fact, I have a steady diet of problems that face members of?this industry on my desk at all times.
Read More Connect with Washington
March 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
As owners and operators of mostly small-to-medium-size businesses, we tend to focus first on matters that are specific to our marketing footprint. Because our customer base is local, we have an immediate vested interest in local affairs. For our own self-interest, we become actively engaged in organizations like local fire protection or city, county and township government agencies.
Read More Conflicting agendas collide
March 1, 2008 By Jay Johnston
Managing risk requires commitment, focus and an effort to balance agendas that seem in conflict. The propane industry is not immune to conflicting agendas.
Read More Defining ‘res ipsa loquitur’
March 1, 2008 By John McCoy
There is a legal concept known as res ipsa loquitur that allows a jury to infer that an accident was caused by the negligence of a party without actual proof of that negligence.
Read More Mirroring debate during 2008
March 1, 2008 By Lisa Bontempo
In a presidential election year, the congressional agenda often follows the candidates’ agendas. Their supporters in Congress introduce legislation and/or engage in debates that support the candidates’ positions. Nearly all the debate that happens in Congress during a presidential election year reflects the broader debate.
Read More Jury gives runaway verdict
February 1, 2008 By John McCoy
Occasionally, I will read about a case that will demonstrate the importance of humanizing large manufacturers, gas companies and/or their insurers. Recently, I became aware of such an action that was tried in a Baldwin County circuit court in Alabama. We were not involved in this case.
Read More Capital needs often overlooked
February 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Last month we addressed the financial fundamentals of a retail propane startup. The objective is to grow sales and gross margin to the scale that the business achieves profitability and then begins earning a sufficient return on equity capital deployed. What is typically overlooked in the business planning of a start-from-scratch operation is the significant ongoing growth capital required to build a retail business.
Read More Adding ‘additional insureds’
February 1, 2008 By Jay Johnston
Is it safe to add additional insureds to your policy? The answer is yes, if you want access to the terminal or the opportunity to continue doing business with that commercial customer. However, it is advisable to choose your additional insured partners carefully.
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