(December 13, 2019) — Over the summer, visitors to Suburban Propane Partners’ websites and social media began seeing new messaging related to three themes: Suburban Commitment, SuburbanCares, and Go Green with Suburban Propane. These are the pillars of a brand refresh the company launched in June. “This brand refresh elevates the focus of Suburban Propane’s many strengths in serving our customers, our commitment to our employees and the communities we serve, and the sustainability of propane as a clean American energy source,” says Nandini Sankara, assistant vice president, marketing and brand strategy and spokesperson for Suburban Propane (Whippany, N.J.). “The refresh will highlight Suburban Propane’s use of advanced technology, our dedicated safety efforts, and the longevity and tenure of our dedicated employees and the associated...

(December 11, 2019) — When Koppy’s Propane (Williamstown, Pa.) invited representatives of two legislators and a regulatory agency to tour the company’s rail terminal, the event was interactive and hands-on. Questions about the propane industry were asked and answered throughout. In a highlight of the tour, several of the visitors climbed one of the rail towers to get a close-up look at how propane gets from the railcars to the tanks. “It was a great event; I wish I had done one sooner,” Kara Tucker, vice president at Koppy’s Propane, tells BPN. “The relationship building was extremely valuable. Just having someone’s email is great, but now we can also put a face to the name. Plus, we can say we met at the tour and...

(December 2, 2019) — Five years ago, Frank Minnella was talking with a neighbor who was in the propane business. He asked what propane marketers do when someone doesn’t pay, and was told that the operator usually cuts them off. Minnella wondered if they locked off the tank. As CEO of Lock America (Corona, Calif.), he saw an opportunity. He knew his company could apply its expertise to provide security and other benefits for the propane industry. Today, Lock America offers two high-security locks for propane tanks. While designed specifically for this industry, the locks benefit from the company’s 30-plus years of experience developing security solutions for the vending, gaming, and self-storage industries. “The development of these locks was customer-driven,” Rich Morahan, marketing consultant to...

(November 12, 2019) — Heading into winter, the industry is in a well-supplied situation. The recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities had no long-term effect and the current supply situation in the U.S. and in each PADD is within recent norms. So said Darryl Rogers, vice president, midstream oil and NGL at IHS Markit, who presented a U.S. Propane Market Outlook Sept. 29 during the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) 2019 fall board of directors meetings. Rogers delivered his presentation 15 days after the Sept. 14 attacks in Saudi Arabia. In it, he looked at the Saudi oil situation and its implications to U.S. propane. He also displayed a history and forecast of five factors that affect the U.S. propane market. No Long-Term Effects The...

(October 15, 2019) — Look at the numbers that matter and only the numbers that matter. This is an excellent practice that will help managers make critical operating decisions. Mike Shilts says that with the right tools and habits, managers can have the numbers they need and not be distracted by those they don’t. Shilts is vice president of marketing and business development at K & K Management Solutions (Indianapolis), a company that provides software to manage propane and refined fuel delivery. He has degrees in psychology and finance/accounting (CPA) and a background that includes 15 years as director of retail operations at a family-owned propane business that had seven branches. In his seminar at the NPGA Southeastern Convention, “Drowning in Data? How to Make...