LP/Gas articles from May 2006

LP/Gas archives from May 2006

Testing a proven idea.(VIEW POINT)(testing industry equipment)
May 1, 2006... Propane marketers may soon have a way to evaluate competing brands of equipment beyond the promotional material distributed by product manufacturers and vendors. The Propane Education & Research Council is considering hiring independent...

In the know.(Survey)
May 1, 2006... Training Survey We asked 500 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions. We heard back from 70 companies. Here is what they had to say. Outcomes: Most retailers see the advantage and value of...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Statistical table)
May 1, 2006... Heating degree days by state State March Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 311 -35 2685 ...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... * June 2-5 Mississippi Gas Association Summer Convention at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort in Destin, FL. For details, contact Bobbi Wettach at 601-354-4077 or MPMCSA-Bobbi@jam.rr.com. * June 11-14 National Propane Gas Association annual...

Discount pricing impacts safety.(SAFETY FIRST)(dialogue with Jay Johnston )(Interview)
May 1, 2006... Have you ever noticed that certain products maintain their margin, while similar products are discounted to death? Take groceries for example. We've all shopped at discount and premium stores. Sometimes, we shop at one store for basic items...

The role of management in retail propane.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
May 1, 2006... This is the third in a series on business topics inspired by the 20th century business management icon Peter Drucker. Results are obtained by exploiting opportunities, not solving problems. Fixing problems only restores a broken situation...

What's in a number?(WASHINGTON REPORT)
May 1, 2006... Numbers mean a lot when you look to the Energy Information Administration for price information on domestic crude oil and imports. The propane industry often looks to EIA's Heating Oil and Propane Update during the winter months, as well as the...

Timely reporting of errors is critical.(LEGAL BRIEF)
May 1, 2006... In this business, accidents happen. Accidents that happen as a result of mistakes are almost always discovered at some later date, at which point the problem must then be confronted and resolved. This is often unpleasant for all involved in...

A woman's touch: these determined ladies earned a home in an industry of good old boys.
May 1, 2006... When Monica McCarthy Clark took over at Glades Gas of Okeechobee, Fla., in 1987, she knew she faced an uphill battle as a woman in the propane industry. She had been rising through the high-pressure corporate ranks of Xerox, and she was...

A star is born: Las Vegas' largest taxi company relies on propane to keep up with the City of Lights.
May 1, 2006... Las Vegas. Gambling. Shows. Dining. Shopping. Golf. Nightlife. Business conferences. It's a lot to keep up with, and despite everything being in relatively close proximity, taxicabs are desperately needed to transport millions of visitors from...

Home gas grill fires down dramatically since OPD valves required.(INDUSTRY)(overfill protection devices)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The number of home structure fires involving gas grills has been cut in half since propane cylinders were required to have overfill protection devices, beginning in 1998. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the number of...

Energy Transfer agrees to acquire Titan Propane.(DALLAS, TEXAS)(mergers and acquisitions)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Energy Transfer Partners L.P., is buying Titan Energy Partners L.P., a deal that would make Energy Transfer the nation's third-largest U.S. propane retailer behind AmeriGas and Ferrellgas. The transaction is subject to clearance under...

Consumer ed campaign adds homes, yields 8.2 percent ROI.(ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA)(return on investment)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The propane industry's $22.3 million investment in consumer education programs from mid-2003 to mid-2004 added an estimated 15,110 new propane households and 11.5 million gallons per year of incremental propane sales, according to a Virginia...

Michigan association honors late leader with scholarship.(LANSING, MICHIGAN)(William McHenry)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Michigan Propane Gas Association has renamed its association scholarship the "Bill McHenry Scholarship" to honor the late William McHenry. McHenry, the former chairman of the National Propane Gas Association, was an original Michigan...

PERC alters state rebate funding allocation methodology.(ATLANTA, GEORGIA)(Propane Education & Research Council )
May 1, 2006... The Propane Education & Research Council is changing the way it accounts for annual propane sales by state, a move that will have substantial impact on the way it funds state rebates. PERC has historically used sales data from the annual...

Fire destroys Florida Propane Gas Association offices.(TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... An early morning electrical fire gutted the offices of the Florida Propane Gas Association and destroyed most of its files. The fire apparently started at the computer of David Rogers, the association's executive vice president, at about...

Stainless steel pump.(PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Blackmer has expanded its ProVane motor speed vane pump line to include a stainless-steel model designed for continuous-duty operation in low- and medium-viscosity process applications. The pump line uses a heavy-duty rotor and shaft that...

Hybrid gas grill.(PRODUCTS)(Hybrid Gas Grill from Modern Home Products)
May 1, 2006... Modern Home Products is offering the "Chef's Choice" Heritage Series Hybrid Gas Grill. The cast-aluminum Heritage Series is available as a hybrid grill. With a cooking surface powered with one infrared burner and two cast stainless-steel...

Infrared spot heaters.(PRODUCTS)(avy-duty infrared spot heater from SunStar Heating Products )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... SunStar Heating Products offers a new heavy-duty infrared spot heater for use in hard-to-heat areas such as construction sites and unheated work areas. The compact, cylinder-shaped SunStar RCH Series spot heaters come in four models that...

Firebox.(PRODUCTS)(Vent-Free Universal Gas Firebox from Lennox Hearth Products )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Lennox Hearth Products has released the Superior Vent-Free Universal Gas Firebox that offers a larger opening and a "clean-face" louverless look. The compatible fireplace design accepts any listed vent-free gas log set, including Serene...

Inverted reels.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... Reelcraft Industries announces the release of an inverted modular reel. The inverted Series 40 is designed for wall or hanging mounts ideal for liquid propane applications. The reels are constructed with a lightweight, T-slot aluminum...

Anti-tamper lock.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... Smith Flow Control's Anti-Tamper Lock ensures valves and actuators can only be operated by authorized individuals. The device uses three simple steps. A coded key is inserted, engaging the drive, then the valve is turned to the desired...

Hose assembly.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... Smart-Hose Technologies touts its Smart-Hose Safety System, which automatically shuts off flow in both directions once a hose failure occurs. The system connects a coated cable within the hose bore to the valve plungers, wedges or flappers...

Vent-free gas log.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... Vanguard Heating Products is a launching a new line of vent-free logs. The realistic-looking Scarlet Oak log set boasts the flicker of embers. This is achieved through the company's proprietary use of Ceramat, a self-supporting mat...

Keys to reducing driver turnover.(LET'S TALK)
May 1, 2006... Like any North American company operating a fleet, the propane industry is experiencing the financial and customer service pain associated with high driver turnover. Recruiting and keeping qualified drivers has become a critical challenge...

Gas pains.
May 1, 2006... WHADDAYA CALL THAT? PROGRESS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]