Is it new or deja vu?
May 1, 2008 By John McCoy
A look back on the last 20 years shows industry’s similarities, differences
Read More Financing growth the right way
April 1, 2008 By Carl Hughes
Historically, a number of consistently profitable operators in the retail propane industry have chosen to finance growth through their company’s annual earnings. This is an overly simplistic and, frankly, shortsighted view of how to finance growth.
Read More A cash-crunched season
March 1, 2008 By LP Gas
With the price of oil topping $100 per barrel amid a sputtering overall economy, propane marketers and customers alike spent much of the 2007-08 winter heating season struggling to cover their costs. And while some regions saw record-setting snowfalls, bitterly cold temperatures, crippling ice storms and widespread power outages, other parts of the country experienced way too much warmth to pump appropriate amounts of propane.
Read More Corralling collections during galloping costs
March 1, 2008 By LP Gas
Well-designed marketing plans, orchestrated pitches to promote budget plan enrollment and established collection procedures for when customers fall behind are being touted as key solutions for propane retailers faced with payment shortfalls.
Read More Retailers say growing number of low-income customers makes business difficult
March 1, 2008 By LP Gas
The rising cost of propane, coupled with limited federal home-heating assistance for low-income families, is not only putting the squeeze on customers but retailers as well.
Read More Gassing up your propane sales
February 1, 2008 By LP Gas
With today’s heated competitive climate over ever-tightening American energy dollars, being an order-taker and sitting back waiting for the telephone to ring has gone the way of the malt shop, bell-bottoms and mullets.
Read More State of the Industry
December 1, 2007 By LP Gas
What are the critical challenges facing propane retailers, and how are they being addressed?
Read More Variety boosts your value
November 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
This column is dedicated to all of you who truly have an interest in improving your worth in the marketplace.
Read More Financial mistakes in family business
June 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
Many family owned businesses in this industry do a lot of things very well, yet can blunder terribly when it comes to financial matters. These errors can cost the family significant value and prevent it from achieving the very goals it set out to achieve when the business was started.
Read More Resolving conflict in the family business
May 1, 2007 By Carl Hughes
Sibling rivalries. Father–son power battles. Non-active vs. active shareholder issues. Patriarchs unable to relinquish the reins to the next generation. A family-owned propane company’s conflicts come in all types and variations.
Read More
