LP/Gas articles from October 2007

LP/Gas archives from October 2007

Because cash is king.(VIEW POINT)(Survey)
October 1, 2007... The first hint of gold, red and range in the autumn foliage should mean that propane marketers are anxiously focused on the critical heating season ahead. Far too many, however, are still chasing receivables from customers who owe for LAST...

Fees & non-propane revenue.(IN THE KNOW)(Survey)
October 1, 2007... We surveyed 452 retail propane marketers from across the United States about fees and non-propane revenue. We received responses from 76 companies. Here is what they had to say. Outcomes: Sixty-seven percent of retailers responding to...

Propane master limited partnership comparison.(LP/GAS STOCK INDEX)
October 1, 2007... Propane Master Limited Partnership Comparison Company Symbol Quarter Price Ended (9/18/07) AmeriGas APU June $35.82 Energy Transfer ETP ...

Propane MLP price history.(LP/GAS STOCK INDEX)
October 1, 2007... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Historic price index Propane stock price history calculated by averaging unweighted prices for AmeriGas, Ferrellgas, Heritage, Inergy, Star Gas and Suburban master limited partnerships. Sources: Public...

Upcoming events.(Calendar)
October 1, 2007... * Dec. 6-7 PERC council meeting in Houston, TX. For details, contact Anna Gaboton at anna.gaboton@propanecouncil.org or 202-452-8975. * Jan. 18-19, 2008 NPGA Marketers' Management Forum at the Embassy Suites Anaheim North in Anaheim, CA....

Heating degree days by state.(WEATHER WATCH)(Statistical table)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Heating degree days by state State August Deviation Last 12 Deviation from norm months from norm Alabama 0 0 2627...

Remember to fall back to safe practices.(SAFETY FIRST)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I always forget whether it's time to turn the clocks ahead or back, and then I remember the phrase I learned in grade school: spring forward/fall back. In the springtime we wind down from a long winter. Your...

Maintenance capital--the ignored expenditure.(BUSINESS MATTERS)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It takes a lot of money to run a retail propane company. It can take 40 to 50 cents per gallon to cover all of the annual costs of operating the business. We are all painfully aware of out operating costs. But...

Getting prepared for the busy season.(LEGAL BRIEF)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the fall and winter season approaching, propane marketers are preparing for the busiest part of their year. As your company prepares going forward, it is always important to keep safety concerns as a priority....

Fall outlook includes lengthy lineup.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With a target adjournment date of Nov. 19 for both the Senate and the House (though I'm not sure I'd bet more than a penny on this happening), legislators face a significant workload in a difficult political...

Done deal: marketers recall their experiences, offer advice to others contemplating the sale of their propane retail business.
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tom Klein visited each individual office and broke the news to tearful employees that the family's 46year-old propane business was being sold. Franklin and Judy Welch felt like they were strapped to a roller...

Automated route planning on a budget.
October 1, 2007... Relying on your drivers to execute the best plan for the day's deliveries could be steering your ledger in the wrong direction, yet a price tag of more than $20,000 for traditional route-planning software may put such systems off the map for...

Railroad chairman touts propane's clean-air role.(AUSTIN, TEXAS)
October 1, 2007... Railroad Commission Chairman Michael L. Williams keynoted a meeting on Sept. 13 devoted to incentives and regulations designed to enhance propane's contribution to clean air in Texas and foster United States energy independence. The...

NPGA annual report available exclusively online.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... The National Propane Gas Association's annual report for 2006-2007 is available and ready for download from the association's Web site. The report will not be mailed this year to save about $9,000 on printing and mailing costs. Previous...

Online propane course available for architects, designers.(NEW YORK, NEW YORK)
October 1, 2007... The Propane Education & Research Council has launched its first online continuing education course for architects and design professionals to promote understanding of the energy and environmental benefits of using propane in building projects....

Existing HOS rules remain intact following stay.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... Existing hours-of-service (HOS) rules for commercial truck drivers will remain in effect temporarily following legal action by American Trucking Associations (ATA). ATA has asked an appeals court for a stay in implementing its decision,...

HBH, Ferrellgas launch propane development plan in Nevada.(AUSTIN, TEXAS)
October 1, 2007... HBH Gas Systems and Ferrellgas have partnered to create a Community Propane Distribution System in Coyote Springs. Nev. The 160,000-home development will feature its own businesses, schools, parks and town centers. Expected to be completed...

Updated CETP Administrator Guide provides overview.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... An updated Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) Administrator Guide is available to help provide an overview of the curriculum. The guide offers descriptions of each of the CETP courses, a comprehensive module map and information on...

Descartes lands contract with AmeriGas.(WATERLOO, ONTARIO)
October 1, 2007... AmeriGas has picked Descartes, a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, to manage its national delivery operations. The decision followed a pilot project that reduced miles traveled and drive times for...

Health clinics planned for nation's travel centers.(SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA)
October 1, 2007... Roadside Medical plans to build about 50 health clinics at Pilot Travel Centers across the nation, Transport Topics reported. The first is scheduled to open in Cartersville, Ga., later this month. Physical examinations, drug screenings...

Law targets job applicants who fail drug tests.(RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA)
October 1, 2007... Job applicants in North Carolina who fail drug tests or refuse to take a drug test will be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which could revoke their commercial drivers license. North Carolina truck companies have been required...

Training DVDs offered.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... The Propane Education & Research Council has released two CETP e-learning DVDs--"Propane Delivery Operations & Cylinder Delivery" and "Bobtail Operations." The releases are part of the "Basic Principles and Practices" DVD released last year....

Grant promotes propane research project.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has awarded a $75,000 Conservation Innovation Grant for a propane-powered energy efficiency project. The joint project of the Propane Education & Research Council...

Klein tools acquires Heritage Cutlery.(LINCOLNSHIRE, ILLINOIS)
October 1, 2007... Klein Tools has acquired the manufacturing assets of Heritage Cutlery Inc. of Bolivar, N.Y., its 25-year supplier of select styles of electricians' scissors. The new company will be called Klein Cutlery, and it will be a subsidiary of...

NPGA represented during NAPSR's national meeting.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... The NPGA participated in the annual meeting of the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR). Members of the NAPSR include regulatory officials who enforce pipeline safety regulations at the state and local levels. ...

Liberty Propane acquires two Virginia outlets.(OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS)
October 1, 2007... Liberty Propane announces the acquisition of Blue Ridge Propane in Galax, Va., and Hutchens Propane in Stuart, Va. The businesses are located in the Blue Ridge Mountain area of southwestern Virginia. The acquisitions represent more than...

Oseco adds new representatives for sales and service support.(BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA)(Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co. has appointed three new representatives for sales and service to domestic customers. Columbine Controls, I&C Sales North and Niagara Controls now will carry Oseco's line of rupture disks, rupture panels and...

Odorizing company expands into propane industry.(PINEVILLE, LOUISIANA)
October 1, 2007... Odor-Tech Inc., a full-service provider of natural gas odorant and odorizers, is now offering its products and services to the propane industry. The 13-year-old Louisiana company, which services customers in the United States, Canada and...

New system set up to collect state registration fees.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... With the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration clearing the way, a system to collect state registration fees was to begin Sept. 10, Transport Topics reported. The Unified Carrier Registration system (UCR) replaces the Single State...

Home heating info online.(WASHINGTON, D.C.)
October 1, 2007... The Propane Education and Research Council is offering a new collection of materials dubbed the "Home Heating Kit." It is available on the Propane Marketing Resource Center at http://members.propanecouncil.org. The new kit includes a home...

Compressor units.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Blackmer announces its portable liquid transfer and vapor recovery compressor units for remote or unique LP Gas railcar unloading applications. The portable compressor units are skid-mounted and designed for...

Storage cabinets.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... A revamped line of gas cylinder storage cabinets has been announced by Durham Manufacturing Co. The line consists of six models of cabinets for the storage of most types of compressed air/gas cylinders and tanks. Two models are designed to...

Digital pressure gauge.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... General Electric introduces the DPI 104 IS, a compact digital pressure gauge certified to ATEX, IECEx and CSA standards. It can be used in applications where accurate pressure sensing and an intrinsically safe rating are required, such as in...

Turf mat.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... Alturnmats announces the release of a new 3-foot by 6-foot portable mat to protect the turf from vehicles up to 60 tons. The half-inch-thick mats, which prevent vehicles from getting stuck in mud, are guaranteed for up to six years. Two hand...

Piston air valve.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... Blackmer has released a piston air valve, designed to increase the performance capabilities of its Model TXD2.5A sliding vane pumps. The air valve's design features a sliding piston and U-cup O-rings that replace the traditional diaphragm-style...

Vent-free room heater.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... SunStar Heating Products announces that it now offers a 10-year warranty for its SunStar Corcho line of vent-free gas room heaters. The "no-hassle" limited warranty states that SunStar Corcho-brand heaters will be free from defects in...

Louverless direct-vent gas fireplace.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... Lennox Hearth Products announces the MPLDV, a direct-vent gas fireplace with a louverless design. The model is part of the Merit Plus Series of fireplaces. The fireplace line has a 30-inch size, allowing for more installation and spacing...

Flame detector.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... MICROPACK announces the launch of its new Visual Flame Detector, Model FDS-301. The new flame detector provides the benefits of MICROPACK's True Flame Visual Flame Detection technology, with quality color video images and greater sensitivity....

Combo valve option.(PRODUCTS)
October 1, 2007... The Parker Chelsea combo valve option enables a single controller to operate both the powershift PTO and dump pump. This new design allows the user to convert his current hydraulically shifted PTO to a 12-volt electric-over-hydraulic shift...

Blossman Gas.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Blossman Gas has appointed Randall R. (Randy) Doyle as vice president and chief financial officer. Doyle has more than 25 years of experience in the propane industry. Much of that experience was with Mapco, the...

South Carolina Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... The South Carolina Propane Gas Association has selected its slate of officers and directors for 2007-08. Latt Honeycutt, of Freeman Gas Co. in Spartanburg, is president, and Lane Wise, of Petroleum Tank Corp. in Johnston, is the first vice...

Virginia Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... The Virginia Propane Gas Association has named its leadership team for 2007-2008. It includes: president, John Holland of Heritage Propane; president elect, Tim Spicer of Tiger Fuel; treasurer, John McKenzie of Woodgate Petroleum; and...

Arizona Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... The Arizona Propane Gas Association has selected its officers and board members for 2007-2009. They include: Lisa Gerwitz, of Plains Marketing LP in Dewey, as second-term president, and Douglas Mann, of Semstream Arizona in Payson, as vice...

New Jersey Propane Gas Association.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... The New Jersey Propane Gas Association announces its recipients of this year's accolades. Martin "Pete" Struble of Eastern Propane Corp. in Oak Ridge, N.J., received the New Jersey Propane Gas Association's Manager of the Year Award. Struble...

NGL Supply.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... Dave and Ann Payne. second-generation owners of Propane Central, have become employees of NGL Supply Inc. following that company's acquisition of their family business. The Paynes will remain with the company to provide acquisition and...

Liberty Propane.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... Tawnya Woolery has joined Liberty as a business analyst in Liberty's corporate office in Overland Park, Kan. She will be assisting and preparing business valuations for prospective acquisition candidates and will participate in on-site business...

Acquisitions aplenty for big players.(LET'S TALK)
October 1, 2007... Trying to sell your business? There are plenty of buyers out there. Does it matter where you are located? It usually does if you are hoping to sell to one of the top five national players (MLPs). If you are not located in the "hotspot" areas,...

Gas Pains.(LET'S TALK)(Cartoon)
October 1, 2007... FRANK, WHY CAN'T WE USE A CANDLE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]