Autogas
Bob Myers’ Career: Autogas, Global Propane Growth & So Much More
A look back at a key propane veteran's expansive career
Author
Pat Thornton
Pat Thornton is a 25-year veteran of the propane industry, with 20 years at Propane Resources and five years at Butane-Propane News. He has served on the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) Safety & Training Advisory Committee and the Missouri PERC board of directors.
-
-
Feature Articles
Propane Industry Strategizes For Upcoming November Election Outcome
With the November presidential, congressional, and state elections just a few weeks away, the stakes are high as fossil fuels and their impact on the environment are discussed and debated in forums from coast to coast. As of mid-September, Democrat Joe Biden has been ahead of the Republican incumbent, President Donald Trump, in most polls for many months. But, as the country learned in 2016, the only poll that counts is the official election count. “Many voters who only have cell phones are never surveyed, there is a lot of misinformation being spread, and mail-in voting will be at an all-time high,” said Jeff Petrash, vice president and general counsel for the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). “Much can happen in the final days of... -
Feature Articles
Supply Chain Logistics For Winter 2020-21
With much uncertainty about wholesale propane supply in late spring as the result of COVID-19, the export situation, and other factors that all seemed to point toward a tight winter, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) organized a series of four webinars to educate marketers. Held in July through September, the theme of the webinars was “Preparing for Peak Demand.” “These webinars highlighted the strong need for communication between retail propane marketers and all partners in their supply acquisition process, especially wholesale suppliers and transportation providers,” said Steve Kossuth, chairman of the NPGA Supply and Logistics Committee and vice president of global LPG supply at UGI Corp. (AmeriGas’ parent company). “‘Communicate early and often’ was frequently repeated advice when talking with experts from the supply,... -
Feature Articles
Propane Supply, Demand Affected By Factors Of Changing World
Acknowledging the supply concerns of many of its members, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) kicked off a series of webinars to educate marketers on the current supply situation as well as steps they can take to prepare for winter 2020-2021. The first webinar, July 21, was titled “Preparing for Peak Demand: Update on Upstream Propane Production and Downstream Logistics.” It was headlined by energy industry veteran Rusty Braziel, founder and CEO of RBN Energy (Houston), and was joined by NPGA staff and other industry members. Braziel has been involved in the energy business for more than three decades. He has been a programmer, analyst, planner, and energy trader. He was with Texaco (now Chevron) for 20 years in jobs that included manager of NGL... -
Feature Articles
Propane Truck Innovations And Sales Keep On Rolling
(September 22, 2020) — Unlike a lot of businesses in the U.S. struggling because of COVID-19, 15 propane truck suppliers BPN spoke with have done relatively well in the past few weeks and months. Sure, there have been setbacks and challenges: “Ford was out for six weeks and that slowed us down some. It put us behind the eight ball but we’re working fast to finish things in time for winter,” said John Hawkins, CEO of H&H Sales (Huntertown, Ind.). “We are having a steady year producing vehicles in a timely fashion, meeting customer deadlines,” said Mike VanDenBoom, president of Signature Truck Systems (Clio, Mich.). “Our U.S.-based supply chain has helped keep lead time of parts within reason. We implemented changes in our work environment... -
Feature Articles
New Tools Help Marketers Plan For Increased Ag Propane Demand
(September 14, 2020) — As winter approaches and supply appears to be tightening, retail marketers have been concerned about the level of propane demand for grain drying. Recently BPN caught up with Michael Newland, director of agriculture business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), for a discussion of crop drying prospects and an update on other PERC agriculture initiatives. “This appears to be setting up to be a normal dryer season,” Newland said. “From Indiana back to the Dakotas, the corn belt is at average corn moisture. Earlier planting and average to dryer-than-average moisture indicates this will not be a high demand dryer season for propane.” The only caveat as we spoke was fallout from the devastating derecho with 100 mph winds... -
Feature Articles
NPGA Offers Propane Supply Advice As Winter 2020-21 Approaches
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) released a statement on June 2 from its Propane Supply and Logistics Committee and Suppliers Section regarding supply concerns many retailer marketers were having: “Over the last few months, many of you reported to NPGA that you were experiencing challenges in securing supply for the upcoming harvest and winter. NPGA’s Propane Supply and Logistics Committee and NPGA staff investigated these concerns and determined that for the first time in recent memory, it has become a ‘seller’s market’ for propane, notwithstanding the dramatic increase in propane production over the last decade.” The association listed these factors for the current situation: Relatively low crude oil and natural gas prices; Declining rig counts for both oil and gas; The Saudi Arabia-Russian dispute... -
Feature Articles
New Director Brings Energy Agency Experience To PERC
Using propane in fuel cells, developing commercial applications for lowering NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions, creating combined heat and power (CHP) solutions for residential applications, promoting propane as a marine fuel to lower carbon emissions in the world’s waterways, and enacting carbon capture processes to eliminate carbon dioxide. These are all subjects Dr. Gokul Vishwanathan has either studied or worked on to develop real-life solutions. They are all areas of interest as the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) plots its 2020-22 Strategic Plan. Vishwanathan recently joined PERC as director of research and sustainability. “We’re happy to bring Gokul on board,” said Cinch Munson, PERC’s senior vice president, business development. “His experience really fits our strategic priorities and what we need to accomplish. Renewable... -
Feature Articles
Off-Road Business Development Focus Of New PERC Director
Concrete cutters, forklifts, and commercial lawn mowers are three opportunities for propane that will be promoted by the new director of off-road business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Matt McDonald, who joined PERC in May 2020, will lead research and development and training projects with a focus on new product development and communication strategy and outreach. “I always have had an eye for opportunities for propane,” McDonald said. “An example would be large buildings going in where a lot of concrete is a major component in the building process. Propane is a perfect fuel for the process of cutting concrete in areas that are often enclosed. A fuel with very few emissions is best for the health of employees in this... -
Technology
Technology Causes Rethinking Of Will-Call Customer Value
For years, many in the retail propane industry have looked with disdain on the “will-call” customer. These are the customers that do just as their monicker implies: they “will call” when they want propane. Consultant after consultant has told propane marketers these customers have no value and in fact represent a drag on company success. “They are portrayed as people with a 420 FICO score and a pit bull in the yard,” says Mark Stillman, senior vice president and co-founder of Energy Engine LLC (Stroudsburg, Penn.). “But their value is growing in the eyes of many who see changes in consumer habits and the potential this segment represents.” For years, consultants and other longtime industry veterans have encouraged strategies to convert “will-call” customers to “keep-full”...