WestAir Gases & Equipment has never been a fan of the status quo. When the company evaluated propane in the hospitality business, the team saw the same story everywhere: standard steel tanks and a one-size-fits-all approach that may not always cut it for high-end resorts and restaurants. So, even though propane was not a primary focus for WestAir, the company decided to explore a different approach.
A Gap in the Patio Market
The hospitality industry prioritizes customer experiences. From the moment guests check in to the moment they leave, every detail matters. But behind the scenes? The propane powering patio heaters was often treated like an afterthought and not managed with the same attention to detail.
The WestAir team wondered: What sort of service do premium resorts really need? They expect premium quality in any other aspect of their business, so why not when it comes to their gas service?
That’s when the idea came to develop a propane service tailored to the hospitality sector.
Jumping into a competitive industry with a premium approach wasn’t the safe play, but WestAir was ready to take the risk and see the reward. While steel tanks continued to dominate the market, the company invested in fiberglass tanks. Rather than focusing solely on delivery, WestAir also expanded into the heater and cylinder exchange business.
These weren’t small bets. Buying new equipment, acquiring cylinder exchange businesses across Southern California and developing custom solutions required significant investment. The company viewed these moves as part of a long-term strategy rather than short-term gains.
A Practical Shift to Fiberglass Tanks
Premium 5-gallon fiberglass propane tanks aren’t standard propane cylinders and offer several practical advantages over steel alternatives.
They are lighter than traditional steel tanks, stackable for easy storage and easier to handle, which means less risk of an injury anytime someone needs to move one. That’s particularly important in industries with frequent staff turnover and training demands.
From a safety perspective, these tanks are in a league of their own. They feature an internal check valve that prevents overfilling — you don’t have to open a bleeder valve like with traditional tanks. They stop automatically with the appropriate vapor space necessary for the tank. This means less risk, less training required and a safer operation overall.
Additionally, the tanks do not rust, which helps maintain a clean appearance in customer-facing environments. For resorts and hotels that invest millions in their appearance, this matters.
Although these tanks come at a higher cost compared to standard tanks, WestAir notes that many clients see long-term value in the improved safety, functionality and appearance.
Using Technology to Get ‘The Basics’ Right
WestAir Gases & Equipment barcoded all of its cylinders, a feature the company calls “accurate cylinder management,” which the team acknowledges might not sound revolutionary — and it isn’t — but the impact on customers is. Clients know exactly what their propane population is, in real-time, so they’re never overcharged — and they can hold WestAir to it. The company also uses this technology to better track usage and tweak the amount and frequency of product deliveries.
This is something WestAir has deployed for years across other industries it serves, and it makes people’s lives easier. The team has found it particularly impactful for busy hospitality operations. When you’re running a resort or a restaurant, for example, the last thing you need to worry about is your guests getting cold and having to wait for your next delivery window (or paying extra for emergency deliveries).
Propane Growth With Increasing Demand
Over the past two years, WestAir has been aggressively growing its portfolio and expanding its footprint across Southern California. The company has acquired cylinder exchange businesses specifically serving the hospitality industry because the team saw a perfect match between their approach and what these high-end clients wanted.
The company also updated its storage cages to provide an improved visual to industrial options. Heaters are reliable and stylish.
And the company’s entire service model centers on understanding operational priorities in hospitality, with an emphasis on consistency, aesthetics and ease of use.
There’s Room for Premium in Propane
What WestAir found is that there’s absolutely a place for a higher-end service and businesses in the propane space. Hospitality businesses that care deeply about guest experience understand that every touchpoint matters — even the propane tanks tucked behind the scenes. Taking a risk and thinking outside the box to accommodate the industry has yielded a significant positive response. Propane companies across the industry can contribute to building increasingly positive relationships with clients in the hospitality market by committing to a premium approach that better matches the needs of these specific customers. Turns out, when you create a premium solution for businesses that value quality, they notice the difference.
