LP/Gas articles from July 2005

LP/Gas archives from July 2005

Learned it at Pinnacle.(VIEW POINT)
July 1, 2005... Since Pinnacle is the National Propane Gas Association s premier educational conference, I would like to share some lessons I learned in four days of meetings and conferences in sunny Palm Springs last month. * Propane forklifts accounted...

In the know.(a survey of employee benefits)
July 1, 2005... Employees benefit survey We asked 500 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about receivables and collections. Of those polled, 50 responded. Here is what retailers had to say. Respondents were...

LP/gas stock index.(liquid propane )(Table)
July 1, 2005... LP/GAS STOCK INDEX Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Distribution Ended (6/17/05) AmeriGas APU Mar. $32.58 ...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Table)
July 1, 2005... May Yellow = lower than average heating degree days Blue = higher than average heating degree days Gray = percent change not meaningful See our Web page for the latest weather updates www.LPGASmagazine.com Heating degree...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
July 1, 2005... * July 14, 15 Colorado/New Mexico Convention & Expo to be held at the Radisson Santa Fe Hotel in Santa Fe, NM. For details, contact Baron Glassgow at bglassgow@npga.org or 480-922-1056. * July 20-24 Tennessee Propane Gas Association annual...

Safety education is a forever process.(SAFETY FIRST)(Column)
July 1, 2005... I remember running home on the last day of grade school. Soon we would pack the old car and head up to the lake for the summer. Mom taught third grade so we could spend summers together. Dad worked in the city all week and came up every...

The NBA, leadership and your business.(BUSINESS MATTERS)(National Basketball Association)
July 1, 2005... At this writing, two teams in the National Basketball Association will have won heir respective conferences and will square off in a couple of days to play a seven-game series to determine the world champion. The San Antonio Spurs will...

DOT releases new transportation regulations.(Department of Transportation)
July 1, 2005... The Department of Transportation issued a series of new rules this spring governing the transportation of propane. The Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration modified its rules regarding loading, unloading and storage of...

Transportation funding approved.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
July 1, 2005... Congress approved funding for a $284 billion surface transportation bill, plus more if the Highway Trust Fund gets additional appropriations. The House and Senate passed different authorization bills, however. The Senate version includes a...

New appropriations bill.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)
July 1, 2005... The House approved an appropriations bill for FY 06 with $235.4 million for Weatherization Assistance Grants, $4.6 million for Training & Technical Assistance, $41 million for State Energy Program Grants, $500,000 for State Energy Activities,...

Washing machine credits.(Briefly Speaking: Notes from Capitol Hill)(Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act of 2005)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) introduced the Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act of 2005, referred to the Finance Committee. The bill would give tax credits to domestic manufacturers for energy efficient washing machines: the greater the...

Core values ... now and in the future.(PERC CORNER)
July 1, 2005... We have all heard it. Safety pays. Safety first. Safety is number one. For the propane industry, safety is more than a simple slogan; it is a core value. What's the difference? Slogans usually have a shelf life and, quite frankly, are...

It's working: propane's consumer education campaign gets high marks for ROI.
July 1, 2005... From mid-2001 through mid-2003, the $23 million spent for consumer education generated a $35 million net increase to the propane industry's bottom line income--a 17.5 percent return on investment in the residential market over a 10-year period,...

Limiting liability: changes in state laws offer protection to propane retailers.
July 1, 2005... Accidents happen, and in the propane industry far too many tragic mistakes wind up in a courtroom in search of compensation for property damage, personal injury or even death. In most states there is no protection from liability for the...

Need new customers? Look online.(propane industry;)(Propane Education and Research Council's "Find a Propane Retailer" program)
July 1, 2005... No matter what the weather and how efficiently and effectively your propane business runs, nothing happens--and no money is made--without customers. And because the propane industry largely thrives on word of mouth and repeat business, new...

Credit and collections strategies: in a word--proactive: there are strategies companies can use to better manage credit and collections and to keep receivables more in line with the demands of today's business.
July 1, 2005... A problem in the propane industry today is that a lot of companies are struggling financially because prices are increasing, leading to higher accounts receivable balances. "This can lead to problems with banks, because a lot of loans are...

American Trucking Association wants to end fingerprinting.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... The American Trucking Association is pushing for federal lawmakers to help alter federal rules requiring fingerprint-based background checks for drivers of hazardous materials. The federal edict, the ATA says, is limiting the industry's...

Senate spurs hours of service rule in funding bill.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(driver hours-of-service rules )(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... The Senate did not include a provision that would have made the driver hours-of-service rules permanent in its $295 billion highway funding bill. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration had been seeking to get its contested...

Opposition mounts to possible changes to tanker trucks.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... The National Tank Truck Carriers is among the most vocal in opposition to a proposed federal rule that would require thousands of tanker trucks to be refitted with equipment that would purge the pipes used for loading and unloading of flammable...

Cleveland mulls expansion of hazmat transportation ban.(CLEVELAND, OHIO)
July 1, 2005... A Cleveland city councilman thinks his community should follow Washington D.C.'s lead and prohibit the shipment of some hazardous materials by rail through the city's downtown and lakefront area. The proposal would not apply to trucks. The...

Federal funds available for school bus program.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
July 1, 2005... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set aside $7.5 million in 2005 for its Clean School Bus USA program. The cost-shared grant program allows school districts to retrofit and replace diesel buses or switch to cleaner fuels. ...

Money available for propane motor fuel projects.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council and the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities have entered a partnership to help fund projects to create propane-powered vehicle programs and increase the amount of propane sold. PERC and Clean...

Inergy acquires two Pennsylvania firms.(KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI)
July 1, 2005... Inergy has announced that it has acquired the assets of two western Pennsylvaniabased propane companies that have a combined customer base of 5,000. The companies acquired are Propane Sales, based in Albion, and Steinheiser Propane, based...

United Propane Gas acquires five propane retail firms.(PADUCAH, KENTUCKY)
July 1, 2005... United Propane Gas has acquired five companies, adding more than 150,000 customers in eight states. The companies are Sand Mountain Propane in Geraldine, Ala.; Tri-State Propane in Ider, Ala.; Chandlers Mountain Propane in Steele, Ala.;...

Report cites poor freight security effort.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... A report from the U.S. House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee criticizes the Department of Homeland Security for its handling of freight security. The report, which also condemns the Transportation Worker Identification Card...

Info available on remote tank-level monitoring systems.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
July 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council is offering information about remote tank-level monitoring systems. Its Remote Propane Tank-Level Monitoring Report lists and explains all of the technology that is available and the manufacturer...

Famed cycle stops by Amthor International.(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... The Orange County Choppers' New York Jets bike, of the Discovery Channel show featuring the custom cycle builders, made a recent appearance with Air Gas at Amthor International to help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. During...

New NPGA member benefit: Laborchex background checks.(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... NPGA announced at Pinnacle in June a new NPGA member benefit. Called Laborchex, this is the latest of a series of new member benefits NPGA is offering this year. Before spending money putting a driver applicant through extensive...

Paraco Gas acquires AmeriGas New York retail outlet.(PURCHASE, NEW YORK)
July 1, 2005... Paraco Gas Corp. announces that it has acquired the AmeriGas propane operations in Brewster, N.Y. The acquisition encompasses about 900,000 gallons and includes 1,800 residential and commercial customers in one Connecticut county and three...

Jotul propane stoves recalled.(PORTLAND, MAINE)
July 1, 2005... The Consumer Product Safety Commission on June 14 recalled 3,200 stoves manufactured by Jotul North America in Portland, Maine. The stoves were recalled following reports of delayed ignition that resulted in glass breakage. The problem is...

Texas, Colorado, California companies earn fleet awards.(Propane Education and Research Council)(Bergstrom International Airport)(Irvine Ranch Water District)(Alvin Independent School District)(King Sooper)
July 1, 2005... A mixture of commercial and public sector fleets are the winners of the fifth annual propane fleet awards issued by the Propane Education & Research Council. Receiving awards for their exceptional use of propane-powered fleet applications...

Propane Days sparks Hill interest in industry issues.(Capitol Hill May)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... About 300 propane industry members from 36 states traveled to Washington to participate in the industry's blitz on Capitol Hill May 10 and 11. The inaugural Propane Days educational event marked the first "fly-in" orchestrated by the...

Pinnacle attracts nearly 400.(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Just under 400 industry professionals attended the National Propane Gas Association's 2005 Pinnacle Conference held June 5-8 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. In addition to seminars on supply, insurance, safety, technology and management, the...

Liquid level sensor.(PRODUCTS)(introduced by MTS Sensors)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... The MTS Sensors Division has expanded its fuel-level monitoring systems for use with its Model MG magnetostrictive liquid level sensors. Developed for monitoring above ground storage tank gauges, it includes standard and custom...

Unitary heater.(PRODUCTS)(introduced by Roberts-Gordon Inc.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Roberts-Gordon has unveiled its Vantage Modulating heater, billed as the infrared industry's first fully modulating unitary heater. The heater increases fuel efficiency by modulation and the adjustment of both fuel and combustion air, resulting...

Portable gas detector.(PRODUCTS)(introduced by Zellweger Analytics)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Zellweger Analytics' multi-gas Lumidor ImpulseX4 portable gas detector is now available with a long-life NiMH rechargeable battery charger. The new X4 Universal Cradle Charger system includes a rapid-fast charger cradle and a battery pack...

Distribution software.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... GEOCOMtms offers its A.MAZE Enterprise, an advanced distribution planning and execution solution for businesses with complex pickup and delivery networks. The A.MAZE system is designed to address the requirements of multi-site distribution...

Wireless reporting meter.(PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Shockwatch's RF Hourmeter, an onboard electronic device, measures the actual run hours of virtually unlimited types of equipment, from engines to motors to hydraulic pumps. The unit sends runtime information by wireless network to either...

Perfection Corp.(appointment of Roy A. Sutterfield)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Perfection Corp., a subsidiary of American Meter Co., has appointed Roy A. Sutterfield as its president. Sutterfield, whose industry background includes senior management positions with emphasis on strategic planning, operational and financial...

Tarantin Tank & Equipment.(appointment of Winston Farrington )(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Tarantin Tank & Equipment has appointed Winston Farrington to be its customer service representative covering Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts. Farrington has worked in the LP equipment industry since 1985. The company also has hired Bob...

LDO Consulting.(appointment of Larry Otto)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Larry Otto owns the newly formed LDO Consulting and will serve as its president. Otto, who recently retired from Northwest Energy where he was Otto vice president, has more than 35 years of experience in the propane industry. The...

Crowcon.(appointment of Alan Skinner)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Crowcon has appointed Alan Skinner as its business development manager for fixed gas detection systems. Skinner has more than 30 years experience in gas detection and has held high-profile positions in Europe and the United States. He...

New association leaders elected.(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... The NPGA board of directors met at Pinnacle on June 6 and elected new officers for 2005-2006, all for a one-year term. Gerry Misel, owner of Georgia Gas Distributors Inc. of Atlanta succeeded to the post of NPGA chairman of the board. Misel...

Actaris Metering Systems.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Trusted custody transfer from the dawn of the petroleum age Since the 1890s, the Neptune trade name has been known for accuracy and reliability. Today, with its home in Actaris Metering Systems, the Neptune product line remains the trusted...

American Welding & Tank.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... An uncommon commitment to excellence American Welding & Tank has been producing high-quality propane tanks and pressure vessels since 1917. With plants strategically located in Georgia,, Ohio, Iowa and Utah, AWT has positioned itself to...

American Wireless Gauge.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... For many years, propane dealers have struggled with the problem of knowing the exact levels of unpredictable remote tanks. This has led to a number of systems that either estimate usage or systems that rely on hooking into land lines for...

BASE Engineering Inc.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... In the Beginning Since the mid 1990s, BASE Engineering has been designing, manufacturing, and supporting wireless remote controls for the propane industry. Our remotes con be seen on tens of thousands of trucks in the Americas, Europe,...

Bergquist Inc.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Propane equipment is our business Bergquist is a 40-year-old distributor of equipment to the propane industry. The company was founded by Karl Bergquist in Toledo, Ohio, as one of the original distributors for Fisher Controls. Over time we...

Blackmer.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Blackmer The Company Blackmer, A Dover Company, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality flow technologies, including positive displacement pumps and oil-less non-lube compressors used in the transfer of hazardous,...

Cavagna North America.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Quality and Value Since 1931. Cavagna North America is a proud family member of the Cavagna Group. For almost 75 years the Cavagna Group has been committed to producing superior quality products for the global gas control industry. With...

Cenex[R] propane.(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Consistent, reliable propane supply Cenex is The energy brand of CHS Inc., a growing American Fortune 500 company that has been supplying retailers with quality propane for nearly 75 years. We can eliminate your supply worries with our...

Conoco Phillips propane.(supply of propane )(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Your ConocoPhillips North American Propane Marketing Team ConocoPhillips' experienced propane sales representatives understand your business and are ready to provide you with reliable propane supply and outstanding customer service. We...

Corken Inc.(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... A tradition of excellence... Corken Inc. is recognized as a world leader in the manufacture of compressors and pumps for hazardous, volatile and toxic gases and liquids commonly found in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and process gas...

Heritage Propane.(corporate capabilities)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Solid Foundations Heritage Propane was founded some 15 years ago based on the principles of integrity, honesty and fairness. Over those 15 years, we have helped the owners of more than 100 companies transition from the day-to-day...

Fisher Controls.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Our commitment to providing customers with innovative solutions, dependable, products exceptional quality and excellent service is a tradition dating back to William Fisher, the founder of Fisher Controls, whose commitment to excellence has...

Fueling Technologies Inc.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Fueling Technologies has developed a highly accurate tank gauge for unique markets, using a technology that is portable from one application to another with minimal adaptation. After considerable research it designed a gauge that utilizes "mass...

H&H Sales Company.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Committed to quality H&H Sales Company Inc. specializes in fabricating custom service and delivery vehicles, bulk lank trailers and LP gas and in-plant gas cylinder handling and storage equipment. Based in northern Indiana, H&H Equipment...

Liquid Controls.(Company overview)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... Fifty Years of Service For nearly 50 years, Liquid Controls has led the market in truck meters with the popular MA-Series positive displacement meters for LPG service. The popular MA-7" meter is well known in the LPG industry and is built...

Marshall Gas Controls.(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)
July 1, 2005... Global Manufacturing Capabilities Since 1979, Marshall Gas Controls, a division of the SH Leggitt Company, has been a leading manufacturer of regulators, hose assemblies and accessory items for the LP Gas, Outdoor Cooking, and the RV...

MID:COM.(Company overview)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... MID:COM pioneered the computer register business in 1975. There are more than 30,000 of our computers and registers operating in all types of weather. Operating range is as diverse as the tropical heat of South America to the bitter cold of the...

Perfection Corporation.(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Leading the Way in Gas Distribution Products Throughout its more than 50-year history, Perfection has been developing new products that address industry needs and provide safe, easy-to-install solutions. Founded in 1944 as a pipe nipple...

RegO[R] Products.(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... RegO[R] Products--Proudly made in America Remember your first? Chances are it was a RegO[R]. That is because RegO valves and regulators were the first to be designed specifically for propane gas. Propane marketers have always relied on...

Robertshaw.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... A Century of Innovation In 1904, Weston Fulton, a brilliant inventor heralding from Knoxville, Tenn., developed the seamless metal bellows that became the precursor to the first home and automatic thermostats. During this same period of...

Rochester Gauges Inc.(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... World-Class Liquid Level Gauges Rochester Gauges Inc. is dedicated to establishing the industry standard for quality in LP gas liquid level gauges. The leading supplier of LP Gas liquid level gauges for more than 50 years, Rochester...

Sherwood Valve.(Company overview)(Brief article)
July 1, 2005... High-quality gas control products Sherwood has been producing high-quality gas control products for nearly a century, and is known today as an ISO 9001 manufacturer whose products consistently meet the highest of industry standards,...

Trinity Industries Inc.(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Manufacturing metal vessels, transport barrels for the world Trinity Industries' logo represents more than 60 years of continuous manufacturing and metal fabrication experience. Trinity is recognized as a leader in the markets that it...

UPS Logistics Technologies.(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... Improve Operational Efficiencies with Roadnet UPS Logistics Technologies, a global provider of transportation management software, enables propane and gas dealers the ability to create a more efficient delivery operation. Propane and gas...

Vision Financial[R].(CORPORATE CAPABILITIES)(Company overview)
July 1, 2005... The Leader in Equipment Leasing Founded in 1991, Vision Financial strives to be the leader in equipment leasing. Unlike banks or other lessors, we are not limited by the equipment's type, cost or location. We can provide a wide variety of...

Key numbers to analyze your business.(LET'S TALK)
July 1, 2005... Whether your realize it or not, you have key numbers that provide vital information with which to analyze financial and operational data. Key numbers help you get a reading of your company and highlight areas that need greater focus. They...

Time for safety.(MAILBOX)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2005... You hit the nail on the head in the May issue of LP Gas. In his safety column titled "Full plates lead to stop and go safety," Jay Johnston was able to briefly, but thoroughly, bring attention to something that has been a management culture...

Gas pains.(Cartoon)
July 1, 2005... SOMETHING TELLS ME WE'LL STILL GET BURNED [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]