LP/Gas articles from August 2008

LP/Gas archives from August 2008

A desire to know: the great cylinder sleeve debate raises vital questions that need answers.(The pH Factor)
August 1, 2008... Nobody can say for certain that residents face a greater safety risk by cooking on a backyard grill that has a plastic sleeve across the belly of its propane cylinder. But neither can anyone say for certain that they don't. So why...

Site promotes propane as transportation fuel.
August 1, 2008... P38 Inc. launched www. propanefacts.ca, a comprehensive online resource for information on the use of propane as a transportation fuel. Through cooperative efforts among industry, government and academia, the goal of Propane Facts is to provide...

Battelle requests previously used PRVs.(propane pressure relief valve)
August 1, 2008... Battelle is working to determine if there is an engineering basis for the service-life recommendations published in propane pressure relief valve (PRV) literature. Battelle is collecting and testing functional customer tank PRVs (not from...

Missouri resigns membership on Midwest trade show board.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
August 1, 2008... The Missouri Propane Gas Association (MPGA) has resigned its seat on the board of directors of the Midwest Propane Gas Convention & Trade Show, MPGA Executive Director Steven N. Ahrens confirmed. Ahrens cited increased travel costs of...

LP/gas stock index.(Vital Signs: INDUSTRY NEWS & NUMBERS)
August 1, 2008... LP/Gas Stock Index [PROPANE MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPARISON] Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (7/22/08) AmeriGas APU ...

Liberty Propane acquires Legacy.
August 1, 2008... Liberty Propane acquired Legacy Propane, headquartered in Battle Ground, Wash. Legacy operates three retail branches in the western United States--Vancouver, Wash; Tacoma, Wash; and Phoenix. This marks Liberty's 28th acquisition since the...

Michigan program promotes safety.
August 1, 2008... The Michigan Propane Gas Association (MPGA), through a propane industry grant, is sponsoring a program designed to promote safety using liquid propane and propane equipment amongst the residents of the agricultural community and rural...

Heating degree days by state.(Weather Watch)
August 1, 2008... [HEATING DEGREE DAYS BY STATE] DEVIATION DEVIATION FROM LAST 12 FROM STATE JUNE NORM MONTHS NORM Alabama ...

Gas pains.(Weather Watch)(Cartoon)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "... WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR OVERHEAD COST."

Minneapolis agency takes lead for PERC.
August 1, 2008... The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) selected Colle + McVoy of Minneapolis as its primary marketing communications agency at its July meeting in Washington, D.C. Colle + McVoy will support PERC's programs from research and...

American Welding & Tank increases prices.
August 1, 2008... American Welding & Tank LLC (AWT) announced price increases, effective Aug. 4, covering all new propane tanks. Adjusted price schedules for AWT's signature line of recycled tanks, refurbished and pre-owned, were to be issued by the end of July....

Pennsylvania PGA.(PEOPLE)(Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association )(Jeffrey Shaffer has been appointed )(Mark Delehanty has been appointed )(Mike Mutter has been appointed)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association announced its 2008-09 board of directors: Members of the executive committee are Jeffrey Shaffer, Shaffer's Bottled Gas, Hooversville, Pa., president; Ed Gorzkowski Jr., Modern Gas Sales Inc.,...

Elster Gas North America.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... Dan Rosinski has been appointed market segment sales manager for the propane industry. Rosinski will manage and expand the presence in the liquid propane market. This position will drive the Elster Advantage Program by bridging Elster...

PERC.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... The Propane Education & Research Council announced officers for 200809. They are chairman Glenn Saunders, White Mountain Oil & Propane Inc.; vice chairman marketer Joe Armentano, Paraco Gas; vice chairman producer Steve Williams, BP Natural Gas...

Stellar Industries.(PEOPLE)(Alan Marsh has joined )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Alan Marsh has joined the national sales staff for mechanic cranes and service trucks. He will support regional sales managers in championing sales efforts for mechanic trucks and cranes, develop and implement sales training efforts for...

Modern Home Products (MHP).(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... Thomas McAleer was promoted to national accounts manager. He will assist with the expansion of all MHP brands and ProFire grills national accounts. McAleer will continue in his role as sales representative for Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and...

Customer communications.(IN THE KNOW)
August 1, 2008... Propane Resources surveyed 408 retail propane marketers from across the United States asking them the following questions about their customer communications. We received responses from 52 companies. This is what they had to say. Outcomes:...

Events.(Vital Signs)(Propane Gas Association )(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... * SEPT. 4-5 Rocky Mountain fall conference at the Holiday inn in Sheridan, WY. For details, contact Baron Glassgow at bglassgow@npga.org or 866-881-6309. * SEPT. 8-9 Ethanol & Biodiesel Management University at the Renaissance Houston...

Outdoor room use for specific activities by homeowner.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Outdoor Room Use for Specific Activities by Homeowner [2008 PERCENT] Activity Regularly Sometimes To relax 52% 40% ...

Enhances quality of life in outdoor room.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
August 1, 2008... Enhances Quality of Life in Outdoor Room [2008 PERCENT] Mosquito eliminator or bug zapper 61% Fire pit, outdoor fireplace or chiminea 53% Outdoor lighting such as gas lamps 53% Permanent, built-in gas grill ...

Outdoor living spaces gaining in popularity among homeowners.(Data Points: PROPANE INDUSTRY NUMBERS)
August 1, 2008... The popularity of outdoor living spaces is growing, according to research by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). The percentage of homeowners who have a finished outdoor room has risen from 35 percent in 2005 to 42 percent in...

Rust belts: are plastic sleeves causing propane cylinders to rust? The industry finds itself in an intense debate on whether it's all overreaction or a serious issue.(Cover story)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The virgin cylinder exchange business of the early 1990s found its groove in the willingness of American homeowners to pay a premium to replace their battered, empty propane tanks with clean, full ones wherever they...

Steel trap: high cost of tanks forces marketers to better manage purchases and placement.(STEEL PRICES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the cost of steel keeps going up, with propane-tank pricing bursting at the seams, marketers are facing a conundrum when trying to save money on LPG delivery by making fewer runs and installing larger vessels at...

Motivate with incentives: successful propane companies craft effective performance-incentive plans.(Business Matters)
August 1, 2008... Of all the useful managerial tools available to retail propane distributors, none may be more underutilized than a well-designed, performance-incentive compensation plan. Sadly, many retail propane companies today have no meaningful...

From molehill to mountain: despite pleas, no progress has been made on the tank-sleeve rust issue.(Safety First)
August 1, 2008... Whenever someone is perceived to exaggerate probability and consequences, they are accused of "making a mountain out of a molehill." This catchphrase is usually applied when bean counters and actuaries point out the cost of addressing some...

Finding the right expert: each case calls for a specific kind of expert, one with relevant experience.(Legal Brief)
August 1, 2008... When your company is faced with a catastrophic and/or complex claim or lawsuit, it is difficult to know what to do and where to turn. One of the most important decisions that you need to make is to get the right technical experts on board...

Who oversees marketing? Do it yourself or delegate the marketing function of your propane business.(Marketing In Motion)
August 1, 2008... Marketing is even more important in the retail propane business today than it has been in the recent past. Skyrocketing energy prices, customer conservation, energy switching, global warming and the green movement are a few of the new...

Drawer cabinets.(Product Showcase)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Durham Manufacturing Co. introduces a series of three units offering 30 drawers, 60 drawers and 90 drawers, each available in two sizes. The basic 30-drawer unit measures 34 inches wide by 26 7/8 inches high with a...

Pumps.(Product Showcase)
August 1, 2008... Viking Pump's composite mag drive (CMD) is a series of sealless, non-metallic pumps specially designed for crucial liquid containment applications. Due to the CMD's engineered-fluoropolymer and ceramic-wetted material design and construction,...

Hose.(Product Showcase)
August 1, 2008... Mr. Heater Inc. introduces a new Buddy Series oil-free hose for connecting its line of Portable Buddy and Big Buddy heaters to 20-pound propane tanks for long-term use. The Buddy Series hose also can be used as a tank connection for small...

Pipe and cable locator.(New Products)(Pipehorn Utility Tool Co.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Pipehorn 800 Series from Pipehorn Utility Tool Co. is easier to learn and operate and more rugged than ever, according to the company. It features the same high-frequency performance as the Classic Pipehorn, and it works on the toughest...

Transmissions.(New Products)
August 1, 2008... Kenworth introduces new automatic transmission offerings with high horsepower requirements. Customers can now order the Kenworth T800 with Allison 4000 and 4500 series transmissions when spec'd with Cummins ISX engines, not to exceed 1,650...

Gas detector.(New Products)
August 1, 2008... RAE Systems Inc. introduces the QRAE II pump. This new model joins the QRAE II Diffusion introduced last year and offers fast response times required for safe confined space entry. The QRAE II is a full-featured, compact, one- to four-sensor...

Caledon Propane Inc.: exchange giant incorporates composite cylinders into its business model.(Snap Shot: COMPANIES TO WATCH)
August 1, 2008... Hugh Sutherland Jr. got his first look at a composite propane cylinder in 2000 during a business trip to Italy. Seven years later, the vice president of North American sales for Canada's primary exchange company, Caledon Propane Inc.,...