Propane Industry News

TORONTO — Superior Plus Corp. announced significant changes to its executive leadership team. In line with the company’s strategy to evolve into a next-generation, low-carbon energy distribution company, Superior is taking deliberate steps to enable this strategy by transforming its leadership team.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — UGI Corporation announced that Santiago Seage was elected a director of UGI Corporation, effective Sept. 18, 2023. Seage is the CEO of Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure plc, a sustainable infrastructure company that owns a diversified portfolio of renewable energy, storage, efficient natural gas, electric transmission and water assets in North and South America, and certain markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Seage joined Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure as CEO in 2013.

Chicago, Illinois-based EDP announced that Paige O’Dell has been named region vice president for the company’s Central region.

Star Group L.P., a leading energy, heating and home services provider, has announced the acquisition of Ideal Bottle Gas Inc. Star Group will operate out of the current Ideal Bottle Gas facilities in Bellport, NY.

Anthony Silecchia Jr., vice president of Star Group, said “We believe that our partnership with Ideal Bottle Gas is a great opportunity for our company and are excited to welcome their team to the Star Group family. This acquisition will be seamless for existing Ideal Bottle Gas customers, and we look forward to taking care of their propane needs on Long Island.”

Otodata has appointed Guy Lanrezac as sales director for Western Europe. In his new role, Lanrezac will focus on extending Otodata’s leadership to fuel distributors and driving business development opportunities in the region.

Prior to joining Otodata, Lanrezac was CEO of SilentSoft, a Swiss tank telemetry provider. He also has experience the telecommunications industries, where he served as general manager of Motorola Mobile Devices France and head of strategy at Wavecom.

CAI Capital Partners (CAI) has completed the sale of the operating assets of Canadian Heating Products Inc., doing business as Montigo Fireplaces (Montigo), to Empire Comfort Systems (Empire Group). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

NATIONAL — Emerson Bernard Deese Jr., former Gas Equipment Co. employee and longtime propane industry consultant, passed away Aug. 17, 2023, in his home of Cary, North Carolina.

The following was taken from his obituary on his tenure in propane: 

WHIPPANY, N.J. (Aug. 30, 2023) — Suburban Propane Partners L.P. and Suburban Renewable Energy LLC announced it will sponsor the Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) World Final in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the RE+ Expo, September 11-14, 2023. 

RICHLAND, Wash. (Aug. 18, 2023) — Christensen Inc. has announced its debut on Inc. Magazine's annual 5000 list – the most prestigious compilation of the nation's fastest-growing and most successful private companies. Securing its place at No. 4586, Christensen boasts impressive three-year revenue growth of 90%.

LIBERTY, Mo. (Aug. 24, 2023) — College students across the country will begin their fall semester this month. Fourteen students are doing so through the help of scholarships from Ferrellgas.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — UGI Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a process to evaluate potential strategic alternatives with the intent to unlock and maximize shareholder value. In consultation with financial and legal advisors, the strategic review, focused on the LPG businesses, will consider a range of strategic, operational and financial alternatives.

During the latest mid-month period, prices at Mont Belvieu, Texas, decreased as summer begins wrapping up. The posted prices decreased 3.167 cents/gal, from July mid-month to August mid-month while the spot prices decreased 3.75 cents. Conway, Kan., postings remained flat at 68.748 and spots decreased 0.5 cents over the month.

Canada's primary underground propane inventories increased by 18.94% in August, according to the Canada Energy Regulator. The total represented a month-to-month increase of 220.1 Mcm. Compared to a year earlier, stocks were lower, with 30 Mcm, or 2.12%, less product on hand.