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Compiled by BPN Staff

 

  • Feature Articles

    Sunrise Cooperative Marks 20th Acquisition For Energy Distribution Partners (EDP)

    https://www.bpnews.com/index.php/publications/magazine/feature-articles/1793-sunrise-cooperative-marks-20th-acquisition-for-energy-distribution-partners-edp (December 5, 2018) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”), based in Chicago, Illinois, marked a milestone on November 29 when it announced its acquisition of the propane operation owned by Sunrise Cooperative in Lancaster, Ohio. The transaction marked the 20th successful acquisition for EDP since the Company’s inception, and sixth acquisition in 2018. EDP, launched by propane industry veterans Tom Knauff and Marlo Young, made its first acquisition in 2012 when it acquired Linden’s Propane in LaGrange, Ohio. The company now has 20 operations in nine states from South Carolina in the Southeast to Washington in the Pacific Northwest, and now serves more than 83,000 customers. Sellers have been especially complimentary of their experiences working with EDP, calling their transactions “respectful and professional,” “first class,”...

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  • Feature Articles

    Propane Council Approves 2019 Budget, Workforce Recruitment Pilot Among Funding Requests Approved

    WASHINGTON (December 4, 2018) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), at its November meeting in Savannah, Ga., approved a $41.7 million budget for 2019 that will include safety and training programs, ongoing development of propane-fueled products, and a consumer education program that will be regionally focused, digitally dominant, and integrated across all market sectors, including residential and commercial. The assessment rate of $0.005 per gallon of odorized propane is expected to generate $41 million in revenue in 2019. The budget includes $30.8 million for program activities. In a move designed to help propane companies recruit drivers, technicians, and other sought-after employees, the Council approved a pilot program that will award grant funding for grassroots recruitment initiatives. Members of the PERC Advisory Committee’s Market...

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  • Strategy

    Exit Strategy: 4 Tips for Evaluating The Sale of Your Business

    By Thomas E. Knauff… Everyone who owns a business, sooner or later, thinks about an exit strategy. For some, that means passing the business on to grown children. For others, the transition means selling to someone else — a crosstown competitor, private investor, or regional or national company. But how can you do this well? Transitioning out of the propane business you have spent years building, with many close relationships and daily commitments, is a huge personal change. How can you plan this process so that you will feel good about the outcome in the years to come? Let me share a few key ideas from my experience, over nearly three decades, working through more than 80 successful acquisitions of propane companies. Engaging in this process from...

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  • People

    Propane People “In The News”…

    The Arkansas Propane Gas Association recently installed its officers for the 2018-2019 term. Drew Craft of Craft Propane (Jonesboro) will serve as president; Tom Blackwood of Simmons Energy Solutions (Decatur), past president; Sherrill Hayes of AmeriGas (Batesville), vice president; and Donnie Rhea of AmeriGas (Plumerville), secretary/treasurer. District directors include Marcus Felker, Danmar Propane (Crawfordsville), and Wes Wilkerson, Pinnacle Propane (Pocahontas), district 1; Ed Williams, Pinnacle Propane (Mountain Pine), and Tommy Vanaman, AmeriGas (North Little Rock), district 2; William Simons, AmeriGas (Mountain Home), and Gregg Luebbring, Tyson Gas (Springdale), district 3; and Tom Byrd, Ceba Gas Inc. (Murfreesboro), and Ray Still, Southern LP Gas (De Queen), district 4. At large member directors are Jim Burcham, Sungas Propane (Greenbrier); Ken Dewitt, AmeriGas (Wynne); David Perkins, Dealers LP...

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  • Feature Articles

    Energy Industry Faces Fork In The Road Say BP CEO

    BP CEO Bob Dudley has outlined why continued investment in the oil and gas industry is essential to meeting the dual challenge of providing billions of people with more energy while drastically lowering carbon emissions. Arguing against divestment in his keynote speech at the recent Oil & Money Conference, Dudley said the energy industry is facing a fork in the road. “We could go the way of people who want to drive a wedge between the energy industry and investors. They push for potentially confusing disclosures, raise the specter of a systemic risk to the financial system from stranded assets, and campaign for divestment—all in an effort to squeeze oil and gas out of the fuel mix. They are driven by good intentions, but my...

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  • Feature Articles

    Near-Zero Emissions Engine Fueled By Renewable Propane Available

    (November 19, 2018) — The alternative fuel technology company ROUSH CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.) reports that its 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour engine can operate on renewable propane, making it the first available that produces near-zero emissions as defined by the California Air Resources Board. “When commercial vehicles are equipped with our ultralow-NOx engines and fueled by renewable propane they achieve near-zero emissions while still being financially viable for fleets,” said Todd Mouw, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “These clean-operating, medium-duty trucks, vans, and buses enable fleets to take a giant step toward meeting state clean-air standards, especially in California.” Renewable propane is a non-fossil fuel that is produced from 100% renewable raw materials, including waste residue from sustainably produced vegetable oils. There is growing interest in...

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  • Feature Articles

    Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Hit Jackpot In A System With Few Winners

    The largest-ever lottery prize in U.S. history grabbed headlines recently as one lucky winner walked away with a cool $1.6 billion, wrote Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But there’s another billion-dollar figure making news—and in this case, it’s plaintiffs’ lawyers who are hitting the jackpot. According to a new study released by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), the U.S. tort system racked up $429 billion in total costs and compensation associated with lawsuits in 2016 alone. “Our nation has long had the most expensive civil justice system in the world, but this is a new record,” Donohue observes. He adds that the amount of money that went to lawsuit costs and compensation that year could...

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  • Feature Articles

    Second South Carolina Propane Marketer Joins Energy Distribution Partners (EDP)

    (November 9, 2018) — Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”), based in Chicago, Illinois, has acquired Carmichael Propane of Walterboro, South Carolina from Randy and Ann Carmichael. Carmichael Propane is a well-established and respected propane service provider started in 1969 by Randy’s father, Ray Carmichael. The business services nearly 3,000 customers in Berkley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties which are adjacent to the service territory of EDP’s recently acquired Carolina Propane operation. According to Randy Carmichael, “I was ready to retire but wanted to ensure my employees would not only be able to keep their jobs but have the chance to work for a quality company that would provide both a generous benefits package and career opportunities. I also wanted to ensure that our customers would continue...

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  • Feature Articles

    Hexagon to Acquire Agility Fuel Solutions

    (November 8, 2018) — Hexagon Composites (OSE:HEX) (“Hexagon”) has signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 50% of Agility Fuel Solutions (“Agility”). This investment strengthens Hexagon’s position as the globally leading gas fuel solutions provider. "We are really happy to have reached this milestone", says Jon Erik Engeset, CEO and President of Hexagon. "We believe the timing to be optimal. Fuel price spreads are back at attractive levels, payback times are favorable, and the global focus on the environment has never been stronger. Our combined solutions portfolio and expert teams represent a unique value proposition to the markets." The increasing alignment of economic and environmental benefits is driving market adoption of cleaner drivetrain alternatives. Heavy-duty truck, transit bus and refuse truck fleet owners are acting...

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  • Feature Articles

    OSHA Releases Final Crane Rule, NPGA Analyzing Impact On Industry

    WASHINGTON (November 6, 2018) – The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is reviewing a new final rule for the Cranes and Derricks in Construction regulation by the U.S.Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In the final rule released Tuesday, OSHA states, “Propane field technician operators would fall under the crane rule in only one very specific and limited scenario: installation of new tanks (not replacement of existing tanks in kind) at a construction site.” OSHA also indicates that construction sites include those in residential areas. The compliance deadline for third-party crane operator certification is 30 days after the rule is officially published in the Federal Register. “OSHA acknowledged some of our industry’s concerns in this rule,” said NPGA Chairman Chris Earhart, president...

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