LP/Gas articles from November 2005

LP/Gas archives from November 2005

Preparing for the backlash.(Energy Information Association)(cold weather and associated heating energy costs )(Editorial)
November 1, 2005... What have you done to alleviate the terror in the eyes of residents in your hometown who are bracing for a winter that promises higher-than-ever heating bills? This fall, good news is as rare as $1 a gallon gasoline. Newspaper headlines...

In the know.(propane marketers survey results)(Survey)
November 1, 2005... Marketing and Advertising We asked 500 retail propane marketers across the United States the following questions about marketing and advertising. We heard back from 32 companies. Here is what they had to say. Outcomes: It appears...

LP/Gas stock index.(Statistical table)
November 1, 2005... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Quarter Price Company Symbol Ended (9/22/05) Distribution Yield AmeriGas APU June $28.78 $2.24 ...

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Statistical table)
November 1, 2005... Heating degree days by state Deviation Last 12 Deviation State Sept from norm months from norm Alabama 0 -15 2633 -221 Alaska 445 ...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... * Dec. 8-9 Propane Education & Research Council meeting in Houston, TX. For details, contact Anna Gaboton at 202-261-2207 or anna.gaboton@propanecouncil.org. * Jan. 20-21 National Propane Gas Association's Marketers' Management Forum at...

Workplace safety impacts bottom line.(SAFETY FIRST)(injury prevention and related costs)
November 1, 2005... Workplace safety impacts the bottom line in so many ways that we sometimes take accident causes for granted. Or worse, we do nothing but read the bad news when it comes. The high costs of liability insurance, steel, employee training,...

Is the job candidate manageable?(BUSINESS MATTERS)(Column)
November 1, 2005... This is the final column in the series of hiring the best in the propane industry. The three original questions I asked in the beginning of the series were: Does the candidate have the ability to do the job? Is the able candidate willing...

Time for another energy bill?(WASHINGTON REPORT)
November 1, 2005... Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, seems agreeable to it. Saying it's time for energy leaders "to muster political will" from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and "take the tough steps...

Indemnity agreements can save.(LEGAL BRIEF)
November 1, 2005... Contracts involving the sale of services or products usually have language that protects against loss or damage and provides for the payment of attorney fees and court costs to the party seeking to enforce the agreement. In the propane...

Refurbish, revitalize and reuse: high steel costs, underground popularity make refurbished tanks a sensible option for propane marketers.(Cover story)
November 1, 2005... Tank refurbishing is becoming a popular option for propane marketers looking to beat the high cost of new storage and turn idle assets into productive settings for residential customers. Steel prices continue to hover near record high...

Propane suppliers guide: an expanded directory of the propane industry's top product sources.(Directory)
November 1, 2005... All State Propane 31500 Grape Street 3-404 Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 Phone: 951-244-2484 Fax: 951-780-5790 E-mail: sales@allstatepropane.com Web site: www.allstatepropane.com Date founded: 2005 Owners: Mike...

Inergy acquires Dowdle Gas, two other marketers.(Inergy acquired Dowdle Gas Inc., Graeber Brothers Inc. and Atlas Gas Products Inc)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Inergy has acquired the assets of Dowdle Gas Inc., the country's 12th largest propane retailer, in a deal worth more than $120 million, and two smaller retailers. Dowdle Gas, based in Columbus, Miss., delivers more than 50 million gallons...

New phone numbers for industry resources.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
November 1, 2005... The customer service department for the Propane Industry Resource Catalog can be contacted through a new toll-free phone number. The new phone number is 866-905-1075, and the new fax number is 866-904-1075. Orders may also be placed by visiting...

Documents help explain rising fuel costs to customers.(propane price resources)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council and the National Propane Gas Association are offering retailers several resources to help explain the rising fuel costs to their customers. A new bill stuffer, available in packs of 250 for $8.50...

California forklift emission rule postponed for further study.(California Air Resources Board)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The California Air Resources Board has given California forklift rental dealers a reprieve by indefinitely postponing its consideration of a new rule regarding emission standards for off-road, large spark-ignition (LSI) engines, including those...

Leaky regulators, faulty valve prompt recall of grills, heaters.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
November 1, 2005... Problematic regulators and valves on three companies' products have led to recent recalls. Coleman is recalling 124,000 of its gas grills and 6,200 of its patio heaters in a voluntary recall supported by the Consumer Product Safety...

Grant to help fund propane-fueled farming technology.(Propane Education and Research Council)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... A $40,000 grant to the Propane Education & Research Council from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help fund partnerships to develop and adopt innovative farming technologies. The grant, awarded by the department's Natural Resources...

Radiant heat systems growing in popularity.(Survey)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Builders are increasingly relying on radiant floor heating systems in homes, according to a new survey conducted on behalf of the Propane Education & Research Council. The Web-based survey of 302 builders found 23 percent plan to increase...

Paraco Gas acquires two propane retailers.(PURCHASE, NEW YORK)
November 1, 2005... Paraco Gas Corp. is adding 6,800 customers to its fold with the acquisition of Trauger's LP Gas in Dalton, Pa., and Long Island Bottled Gas in Bay Shore, N.Y. Trauger's LP Gas, owned by the Jacques Family, distributed about 800,000 gallons...

PERC offers growers a propane calculator.(Propane Education and Research Council new web page)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has launched a new Web page to help growers estimate and compare the cost of using propane with other energy sources. The Agriculture Cost Estimator, available at www.agweb.com/propane, shows...

Office Depot offers discounts to NPGA members.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)(National Propane Gas Association)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Members of the National Propane Gas Association can take advantage of discounts with Office Depot Business Services Division now that it has been named the organization's preferred office supply vendor. Those who register with Office Depot...

Fireplace face kit.(PRODUCTS)(introduced by Vanguard)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Vanguard has introduced the Compact Face Kit to complement the Compact Hearth Vent-Free Fireplaces. The kit is an accessory for compact (26 in.) vent-free fireplaces. The accessory is available in two styles, Victorian and Classic, and can be...

Cylinder scale.(PRODUCTS)(Model 2000 Gas Cylinder Scale introduced)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Sensor System Solutions announces the release of the Model 2000 Gas Cylinder Scale. Offered with an embedded Bluetooth wireless option, the scale has a current loop (3-wire 4 to 20 mA) output allowing for connections to any analog input device....

Remote operator for valves.(PRODUCTS)(introduced by Smith Flow Control)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Smith Flow Control's Flexi-Drive is a cable-driven remote operator for valves that are inaccessible or in hazardous locations. It can drive valves as far as 200 feet away allowing for 540 degrees of bends in the cable run. The Flexi-Drive...

Spot heater.(PRODUCTS)(introduced by SunStar Heating Products )(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... SunStar Heating Products introduces a heavy-duty infrared spot heater designed for hard-to-heat areas such as construction sites, unheated work areas, areas requiring supplemental heat and partially open buildings, and for emergency heating...

Surge protector.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... MTL Surge Technologies introduces a surge protector specifically designed for four-wire, multivariable transmitters. The TP24/7 consists of high-power, solid-state electronics and a gas-filled discharge tube capable of diverting 10kA impulses....

Gas furnaces.(International Comfort Products)
November 1, 2005... International Comfort Products has redesigned its line of 80 percent AFUE Tempstar-brand SuperComfort gas furnaces. The new Tempstar furnaces are designed to be easier to install. The Tempstar 80 percent furnace line includes four product...

Gas furnace line.(PRODUCTS)(International Comfort Products Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... International Comfort Products is offering a new line of 90 percent AFUE Comfortmaker-brand gas furnaces. The new line provides simple installation and service through its low-profile design and easy-to-remove panels and spacious service...

Fisher Controls.(PEOPLE)(Robert Watson appointed as vice president )(Ed Varney appointed as director of sales )(Curtis Bagby appointed as director of marketing)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Fisher Controls has appointed Robert Watson as its vice president for LP gas equipment. Most recently the director of industrial regulators for the division's Asia Pacific operations, he is now in the division's Texas headquarters. The...

Superior Propane.(PEOPLE)(Frank Burdzy appointed as vice president of business operations)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Frank Burdzy has been named Superior Propane's vice president of business operations. He previously was a senior business executive for the Canadian propane distributor. Burdzy will be responsible for national and regional operations and...

Stellar Industries.(PEOPLE)(Sean Moran appointed as sales and marketing manager)(Matt Schroeder appointed as engineering manager)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Sean Moran has been tapped to be the sales and marketing manager for Stellar Industries. Moran has previous experience in the truck equipment industry and has a background in business development, marketing communications, product...

Flowserve.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2005... Flowserve has appointed Lewis M. King as its president and chief executive officer, succeeding interim president and Chief Operating Officer Kevin E. Sheehan. King previously served as company COO and has more than 35 years of experience...

Eastern Propane & Oil.(retirement of Jim Hurley)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Jim Hurley has announced his retirement from Eastern Propane & Oil. effective Jan. 1, 2006. Hurley was the company's senior vice president of wholesale and procurement. He joined the company in 1989 and is a past president and member of...

Worthington Cylinder.(appointment of Mike Verne)(Brief article)
November 1, 2005... Mike Verne has been named business manager for Worthington Cylinder Corp.'s LP gas business unit. Verne will be responsible for managing all LP gas product lines for North America. The company also announced that Gordon Willey will be the...

CAVAGNA North America.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2005... CAVAGNA North America Inc. has appointed Isabel Flores to its customer care team in the North American Distribution Center in New Jersey. Flores transferred from the company's group headquarters in Italy.

Delta Liquid Energy.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2005... Delta Liquid Energy has named Ted Olsen sales manager for the greater Los Angeles area. He will be responsible for establishing and maintaining existing customer accounts and sales.

Ohio Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2005... The Ohio Propane Gas Association announces the election of David Archer of McIlvaine Trucking International, president: Tim Hendricks of Capitol Propane. vice president; Ray Anielski of AmeriGas, treasurer; T. Kent Witt, president of Hi-Grade...

South Carolina PGA.(PEOPLE)
November 1, 2005... The South Carolina Propane Gas Association installed new officers. They are: Jane Stroupe of Heritage Propane, president: Randy Barnes of Barnes Oil & Propane, first vice president: Latt Honeycutt of Freeman Gas, second vice president; and Lane...

Your customers in a Web world.(LET'S TALK)(e-commerce in propane industry to retain customers)
November 1, 2005... A business that is out of touch with day's Internet-saturated world is A business in danger of losing customers to a more Web-savvy competitor. Consumers are increasingly using the Internet as a source not only for shopping, but also for...

Gas pains.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2005... Caption: WHADDAYA MEAN YA DON'T HAVE A PROPANE TURKEY FRYER?! WHY THE 1ST TANKSGIVING ALMOST NEVER HAPPENED. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]