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Feature Articles

In-depth feature stories examining the trends, challenges and innovations shaping the propane and LPG industry.

  • NPGA Southeastern Convention New Product Showcase

    NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE Three-Way Valve The EA7853A ¼-in. three-way quick-acting valve with electric actuator from RegO provides a safe, easy way to open and close the valve from a remote location. It features a dual fail-safe actuator with a CSA/UL-rated explosion-proof enclosure, spring return with handle, fusible link, and electronic thermal cutoff. These features ensure automatic valve shutoff when power supply is lost or turned off. Available from Dealers LP Equipment/R.E. Michel. Electronic Register The LCR.iQ from Liquid Controls Corp. is described as the next generation in meter registration and data control with its most powerful and scalable electronic register ever produced. The register is easy to operate, easy to see, and configurable to the needed application or industry. Internal Valve Designed for use with…
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  • Trio of Bills Seek Relief from Electronic Logging Mandate

    A trio of bills have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at providing truckers relief from the nation’s electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, reports Land Line magazine, a periodical of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, or OOIDA. The ELD mandate requires commercial drivers who prepare hours-of-service records to connect an electronic logging device to their vehicle’s engine to record driving hours. Rep. Collin Peterson (R-Minn.) has introduced HR 1697, which would exempt small-business truckers from the ELD requirement, and HR 1698, which would exempt certain agricultural haulers. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) has introduced HR 1673, which would clarify the definition of “agricultural commodity” as it relates to the ELD mandate and hours-of-service regulations, thereby amending the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of…
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  • Schedule of Events NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo

    The NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo is the industry's largest event – bringing together marketers and suppliers from across the United States and beyond. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with more than 3,000 members of the propane industry and hundreds of exhibitors! Don't miss beneficial educational sessions, presentations, New Product Showcase & Autogas Pavilion. Friday, April 12 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Propane Cargo Tank & Inspection Workshop* 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration Saturday, April 13 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 9:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Concurrent Education Sessions — Groups A—C 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. WIP Leadership Forum at the Expo* 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. PERC Update Live! 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Opening Keynote Speaker –…
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  • U.S. Housing Indicators Show Promise, Concerns

    After a slowdown in late 2018, some initial data for 2019 show U.S. housing demand remains solid, buttressed by low unemployment and improving demographics, writes Robert Dietz, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Housing affordability concerns—caused, in part, by rising construction costs—remain the primary hurdle for housing market expansion. Yet despite affordability headwinds and slow sales volume, homeownership metrics improved during the final quarter of 2018. The homeownership rate rose to 64.8% and the total count of homeowners has now recorded 10 straight quarters of solid gains. However, macro concerns persist. GDP growth in the fourth quarter came in at a rate of 2.6% (2.9% for the year). NAHB is forecasting a weak first-quarter growth rate below 2%. This reading is…
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  • Southeastern Convention Preview: Learn How Operations and Sales Can Work Better Together

    A great working relationship between operations and sales departments benefits everyone, but especially your customers. Learn how to strengthen relationships between the two teams during “Operations and Sales on the Same Page,” a Women in Propane (WIP) roundtable discussion to be led by industry leader Paige O’Dell during the 2019 National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Southeastern Convention and International Propane Expo in Atlanta in April 13-15. O’Dell, vice president of operations for AmeriGas Propane and chair of the Women in LPG Global Network (WINLPG), will share insights and personal stories from her impressive career. She relates her experiences in successful business operations and how a close relationship with sales teams makes a difference. Audience members will have the opportunity to engage in roundtable discussions following…
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  • Southeastern Convention Preview: Learn How Operations and Sales Can Work Better Together

    A great working relationship between operations and sales departments benefits everyone, but especially your customers. Learn how to strengthen relationships between the two teams during “Operations and Sales on the Same Page,” a Women in Propane (WIP) roundtable discussion to be led by industry leader Paige O’Dell during the 2019 National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Southeastern Convention and International Propane Expo in Atlanta in April 13-15. O’Dell, vice president of operations for AmeriGas Propane and chair of the Women in LPG Global Network (WINLPG), will share insights and personal stories from her impressive career. She relates her experiences in successful business operations and how a close relationship with sales teams makes a difference. Audience members will have the opportunity to engage in roundtable discussions following…
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  • Signature Truck Systems’ Leadership Has Roots in Retail Propane

    Signature Truck Systems , founded in 1999, has always had leaders with strong roots in the retail propane business. Building bulk, crane, service, and cylinder trucks were key functions of the new company and experienced retail propane leadership has always been a part of the company’s success. The founder, Joe Volk, was a retail propane marketer prior to starting Signature Truck Systems. Volk, with technical director Al Avram, founded the business along with three techs. As the business grew in the early 2000s, several shops were purchased from Ferrellgas in the Clio, Mich., area and a large production facility was added several hours north at Houghton Lake, Mich.  Mike VanDenBoom joined Signature Truck in 2008 as director of operations and Eric Salinas joined the same…
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  • Tell Your Member of Congress to Co-Sponsor DRIVE-Safe Act

    We need your help! Tell Congress to support the DRIVE-Safe Act and help end America's truck driver shortage! Earlier this year, in an effort to ease the significant commercial driver shortage across America, the DRIVE-Safe Act (H.R. 1374 and S. 569) was introduced. The DRIVE-Safe Act would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to create an apprenticeship program for commercial drivers and allow those between the age of 18-21 with a commercial driving license to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines, during and upon completion of a two-step apprenticeship program. The propane industry relies on good drivers to deliver propane to homes, schools, businesses, and farms across the country, so Congress needs to know how important a program like this is. Click here to…
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  • 8 Tips for Making the Most of the New Propane.com

    All the resources offered by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) can now be found in one place: propane.com . That includes resources for propane marketers as well as propane customers. Where previously there were 10 websites, each designed for a different market segment, there is now one site offering easy access to all those resources. “Putting all our great content in one place is designed to make it easier for everyone — propane marketers, propane customers, construction professionals, manufacturers, equipment dealers, energy influencers — to find it quickly and put it to use right away,” says Gregg Walker, PERC’s director of external communications. “Folks need to remember just one website: propane.com.” “Having a single website also increases the chances that someone learns something wonderful about propane that…
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  • Showcase Your Fleet On New Interactive Propane Autogas Roadmap

    WASHINGTON (March 28, 2019) – The Propane Education & Research Council launched an online map designed to showcase the growing number of fleets in a variety of markets that use propane autogas to fuel their trucks, vans, buses, and sedans. The “Propane Autogas Roadmap” is an interactive resource, charting fleets nationwide that are succeeding with propane autogas vehicles. Participants can add a fleet to the map by visiting propane.com/autogas-roadmap and answering a few short questions about the fleet’s profile, including the number and type of vehicles, location, and years using propane autogas. Fleets can also share propane successes to further personalize their fleet’s addition to the map. “Propane autogas is a proven, affordable, and clean alternative fuel,” said Michael Taylor, director of autogas business development…
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  • For Fleets, Prevention, Preparation Are Key, DOT and Law Experts Say

    When it comes to both Department of Transportation (DOT) audits and road accidents, it’s never too early to work to prevent them and to prepare yourself to handle them if they do happen. That was the message delivered by three speakers at an education event held by J. J. Keller & Associates Inc., a provider of regulatory, safety, and compliance solutions to organizations of all sizes. The 6-1/2-hour seminar, “DOT Audits — What You Need to Know,” was held Nov. 27, 2018, in Long Beach, Calif. It was one of many such events the company holds around the country, and it was complimentary to experienced fleet professionals. More than 70 executives, directors, and safety managers registered to attend the Long Beach event. Preventing Audits One segment of…
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  • Phelps Sungas Acquired By Superior Plus Corp.

    NEW YORK (March 26, 2019) — Superior Plus Corp. (“Superior”) (TSX:SPB) has announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the propane distribution assets of Phelps Sungas, Inc. and BMK of Geneva, Inc. (“Phelps”), a leading, independent propane distributor in upstate New York serving residential and commercial customers since 1939. The Acquisition is anticipated to close during the second quarter of 2019, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary commercial conditions. Phelps Sungas is an established independent propane marketer which has operated in the state of New York for 80 years. The Acquisition is anticipated to add approximately 8,600 residential and commercial customers and 8.5 million gallons (32 million litres) of retail propane and distillate sales to Superior’s Energy Distribution operations…
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