Reliable Energy Partners Acquires Economy Propane

NEW YORK — Dec. 11, 2025 — Reliable Energy Partners (Reliable), a growth platform targeting residential and commercial customers in the highly fragmented propane distribution sector and backed by Soundcore Capital Partners, LP (Soundcore), has announced its acquisition of Economy Propane, LLC (Economy). 

Economy, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is a leading bulk-propane distributor that provides service to residential and commercial customers in the Mid-Atlantic region. With this acquisition, Reliable extends its operational footprint to four states and strengthens its strategy of driving growth in high-potential metropolitan areas across the Northeast, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. 

“Economy has a well-deserved reputation for delivering bulk propane safely and efficiently,” said Sean Daugherty, CEO of Reliable. “By bringing Economy into the Reliable family, we’re not just growing — we’re diversifying strategically. This marks our entrance into the bulk propane business and opens a new avenue to serve commercial and residential customers in an important region. We look forward to working with Josh McKnew to uphold and expand on the legacy cultivated by owners Doug McKnew and Bobby Perry.” 

“We founded Reliable to build a best-in-class, multi-regional propane distribution platform,” said Michael Khutorsky, senior managing director at Soundcore. “The acquisition of Economy reflects a critical prong of our strategic plan to become a supplier of choice, complementing our previous cylinder exchange acquisitions and positioning Reliable for robust growth across residential, commercial, and industrial end markets.” 

Josh Garfunkel, vice president at Soundcore, added, “Economy represents another example of Soundcore’s ability to partner with founder-owned business. We look forward to supporting the Economy team on their organic and inorganic growth initiatives.” 

Cetane Associates (Cetane) served as the sole arranger for Economy Propane. Cetane advised on the sale, including an initial valuation opinion, marketing the business through a confidential process, assisting in negotiating the final deal terms and coordinating the due diligence process. Team members Joe Rosengrant, Barrett Conway, Ford DuBose, Fred Lord, Whitney Parsley, Dalton Brooks and Jack McMurchie managed the transaction.