Butane-Propane News

"Sometimes the best ideas are right in front of you, but you can’t see them because you have ‘always’ done it a different way."

Josh Greene's story is in some ways representative of the propene industry at large. Through hard work and consistent dedication, Greene has steadily grown in his role at Arrick's Propane, eventually becoming the company's operations manager.

In his time at Arrick's Propane, Greene has sought to strike a balance between honoring and learning from those who have come before and giving himself and others space to grow in unexpected, new ways.

To learn more about Greene, take a look at his full profile below:

https://bpnews.com/people/josh-greene-operations-manager-arricks-propane

This year's Industry Innovators is sponsored by BASE Engineering and Tankfarm.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues occasional recalls that can have a big impact on the propane industry and a propane retailer's lack of knowledge might not stand up as a legal defense.

Attorney David Schlee reflects on some of the CPSC recalls of the past and the importance of propane retailers keeping an eye on the latest recall updates.

The CPSC Recall: Pitfalls for the Propane Retailer Attorney David Schlee takes a brief look at the history of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls that have impacted the propane industry. It is critical that propane retailers responsibly keep up to date with the latest CPSC recalled products.

"If we know we can build something better, we start right now."

For Nathan Roberts, president and owner of Fisk Tank Carrier, the best innovation is driven by the real needs that real people experience. Roberts has a knack for developing design improvements and creative solutions, a mark of a true innovator.

To learn more about Roberts and the ways he is blazing ahead in the truck design market, take a look below at his full profile:

https://bpnews.com/people/nathan-roberts-president-owner-fisk-tank-carrier

This year's Industry Innovators contest is sponsored by BASE Engineering and Tankfarm.

To successfully implement renewable propane, it will take a balanced approach that offers customers choices.

Pinnacle Propane LLC's Dinjeman Kooijman talks on the place that consumer choice plays in renewable propane's journey forward and the current renewable propane blends on offer in the market.

Pinnacle Propane’s Strategies for Renewable Propane Integration To learn more about how renewable propane can be effectively integrated into the current fuel economy, BPN heard from Pinnacle Propane's Dingeman Kooijman on the importance of maintaining consumer choice and implementing diverse value offerings.

Online meetings are convenient, but in-person industry events offer unique opportunities for collaboration and networking that are essential for the propane sector.

Jacqueline Piazza of the New Jersey Propane Gas Association shows how these gatherings provide a platform to strategize, share insights and address challenges like electrification, helping us strengthen our industry and build lasting relationships.

How In-Person Events Can Bolster Strategic Industry Connections Online meetings are convenient, but in-person events are vital for building connections and uniting the propane industry against challenges like electrification. These gatherings foster collaboration, advocacy and strategic networking that virtual meetings can't replicate.

"New problems deserve new ideas and solutions if we want to remain a strong industry.”

During her time at Anderson Propane — recently acquired by Tiger Fuel Company — Nicole Sullivan developed creative uses of technology to better engage customers. One example of this was her work in implementing an augmented reality app for fireplaces in the company's showroom.

Throughout her career, Sullivan has sought to create spaces for individuals to freely problem-solve and develop as innovators. To learn more about Sullivan's time in the world of propane, take a look at her full profile below:

https://bpnews.com/people/nicole-sullivan-fuel-operations-director-tiger-fuel-company

This year's Industry Innovators contest is sponsored by BASE Engineering and Tankfarm.

Safety in bulk propane plants can sometimes be left to the wayside, putting propane employees and surrounding communities in danger.

Brent Cammett with P3 Propane Safety shares some of the most common safety violations he observes at propane plants and gives some tips to easily avoid them.

Top Violations Discovered During Bulk Propane Plant Inspections The most common safety violations that take place in bulk propane plants are often times some of the most avoidable. Here are some quick tips to avoid the most prevalent breaches in propane plant regulations.

"If you're not growing, you're dying."

Ben Franger got his start in the propane industry as a teenager, mowing the lawn at the family business Franger Gas Co., washing trucks and filling cylinders. He has since made strides in advocating for responsible regulations around propane use and collaborating with local fire stations to create propane-powered live burn training for firefighters.

All of this and more demonstrates Franger's core innovation in the industry — finding thoughtful ways to put the good of his community first. To learn more about Franger, check out his full profile below:

https://bpnews.com/people/ben-franger-vice-president-franger-gas-co-inc

This year's Industry Innovators contest is sponsored by BASE Engineering and Tankfarm.

To highlight the latest updates in cylinder cages that could strengthen your cylinder exchange business, the American Standard Manufacturing team gave some feedback to BPN on what you may need to know.

Check out how these enhancements address rising theft concerns, helping to safeguard propane cylinders and ensure compliance with safety standards.

How Cylinder Cage Design Affects Security & Safety Cylinder cages are essential for securing propane cylinders, and recent updates focus on improving theft prevention. ASM has enhanced their aluminum cabinets with denser panels to increase durability and security.

How do you find the balance between your work and home life? Chances are it's a bit of a challenge.

Good news is you're not alone! In this month's Verbatim column, responders answer whether they "live to work" or "work to live." Take a look at their responses below.

Propane Leaders Answer: Do You 'Work to Live' or 'Live to Work'? This question, like many others previously posed here, has no right answer. However, it is one that tends to give people pause as they reflect on their own aspirations or careers. In this column, adopted from the familiar “Heard on the Street” format, we offer our responders a chance to answer t...

"My ideal future is one where we continue to have thriving businesses, many that are still family-owned, that provide a clean and safe fuel to people around the world..."

Like many in the propane industry, Industry Innovator Lauren Clark has deep family roots in propane. It wasn't until Clark branched out on her own that she returned to the family business, bringing with her the support of her family and the can-do spirit that she crafted through her educational experiences. She has since been implementing innovative solutions at Bergquist Inc and in the industry at large, empowering employees and peers to reach their highest potential.

To learn more about Clark and her various accomplishments throughout her career, read her full profile by following the link below:

https://bpnews.com/people/lauren-clark-president-ceo-bergquist-inc

This year's Industry Innovators contest is sponsored by BASE Engineering and Tankfarm.

The EV transition is gaining speed, but infrastructure delays and rural power shortages are major hurdles. Propane to the rescue! Reliable, cost-effective off-grid EV charging is a game-changer for electric fleets.

Propane marketers, now's the time to seize this golden opportunity and lead the way in sustainable energy! Learn more from Scott Bradley of Pioneer eMobility — eBoost in this article.

Propane Autogas: A Promising Solution to the Electric Fleet Charging Conundrum The transition to electric vehicles is accelerating, but infrastructure delays and rural power shortages pose challenges. Propane offers a reliable, cost-effective solution for off-grid EV charging, presenting a significant opportunity for propane marketers.

"People buy from people. It's kind of cliché, but it's all about trust and the relationships you build."

Since joining ROUSH CleanTech as the company's vice president of sales and marketing, Todd Mouw has been instrumental in advancing the place that propane autogas occupies on the energy stage. Through cutting-edge marketing strategies, Mouw has helped the autogas industry make significant headway into fleet market spaces.

View his full profile in the link below to learn more about Mouw and the ways he is improving opportunities for propane autogas.

This year's Industry Innovators contest is sponsored by BASE Engineering and Tankfarm.



https://bpnews.com/people/todd-mouw-executive-vice-president-sales-marketing-roush-cleantech

What goes into ensuring the security and safety of selling propane cylinders?

The design of cylinder cages and the different hardware features involved in protecting cylinders is a multifaceted process. American Standard Manufacturing touches in on the recent trends in cylinder cages and more.

How Cylinder Cage Design Affects Security & Safety Securing propane cylinders is a job that requires the right technology. BPN heard from American Standard Manufacturing about recent trends in propane cylinder cages and the innovations the company is making to prevent theft and damage to cylinder products.

BPN is happy to announce the 2024 Industry Innovators finalists. This year's finalists each demonstrate a willingness and capacity to explore, learn and improve the operations of their organizations and the lives of their team members and customers.

As will be clear in these finalists, innovation can mean many things, from digging into the weeds of the latest technology available to the industry to thinking outside the box to better engage employees in the workplace culture.

Click the link below to read more about how each finalist is making waves in the propane industry:

https://bpnews.com/people/bpns-2024-industry-innovators

This year's Industry Innovators contest is sponsored by BASE Engineering and Tankfarm.

Leading the charge at Tansley Associates! As the new president, Kathleen Tansley’s driving growth through product excellence, market expansion and sustainability.

Read about how she's excited to optimize mercaptan delivery, uphold safety standards and break gender barriers in the industry.

President of Tansley Associates Environmental Sciences Inc. As president of an odorant company, she focuses on product excellence, market expansion, sustainability, and customer satisfaction while optimizing mercaptan logistics and promoting gender equality.

New code changes are in the pipeline for the industry, set to take effect in 2026.

The Handbook 130 regulations will impact propane metering — and by extension, the entire propane industry. Gary Bozigar with Bergquist Inc is here with the lowdown on what you need to know about the upcoming regulations.

How New Handbook 130 Regulations Will Transform the Propane Industry Starting in 2026, new meter code changes will take effect, significantly impacting the propane industry. The new code requires small liquid propane meters will require automatic temperature compensation.

Want to learn more about how tank monitoring technology can streamline your operations?

In this webinar, sponsored by InSite Platform Partners Inc., now's your chance to learn about the most recent advances in tank monitoring and how the latest monitoring technology can improve your inventory management, safety operations and more.

Register for free here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4640184/BE4EF7E675432DB3D6EC76FD70F4DC51?partnerref=social

Fueling New Revenue Streams: How Tank Monitoring Solves Common & Costly Pain Points Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM Central Daylight Time. During this panel presentation, participants will delve into the myriad benefits of current tank monitoring technology and how it addresses changes in the industry. Propane marketers will discover how modern technology solutions do so much mor...

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) proudly sponsored a contest at the 2023 FFA Convention, won by Dayton High School for their innovative use of propane in agriculture.

Michael Newland from PERC talks about how students are gaining hands-on experience in ag tech and sustainability.

Propane’s Impact on Youth in Agriculture The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) sponsored a contest at the 2023 FFA Convention, won by Dayton High School for their innovative use of propane. Agriculture influencer Rob Sharkey visited the school, inspiring students and emphasizing propane's role in agriculture.

While you might know that it is important to maintain compliance with the industry's latest regulations, you might not have thought about the impact compliance plays on your company's insurance policy.

Frank Thompson with PT Risk Management Insurance Services talks on the place that compliance occupies from an insurance carrier's perspective and how you can better prepare in the event of a surprise loss control visit to your business.

Complying With an Insurance Carrier's Loss Control Requirements When it comes to maintaining a good relationship with your insurance, making sure that your propane company is in compliance with the latest codes and regulations is vital. Frank Thompson with PT Risk Management lays out what you need to know about compliance and how to prepare for possible loss con...

Struggling with weather unpredictability, price volatility and safety concerns? Optimize your fuel inventory management to gain control, ensure efficiency and maintain customer trust.

Learn how to secure the right solutions, manage your entire fleet, leverage data analytics and educate your team for success in this article by Mike Procopio of PDI Technologies.

4 Steps for Propane Retailers & Wholesalers to Optimize Fuel Inventory Management Optimizing fuel inventory management helps propane businesses navigate weather unpredictability, price volatility and safety concerns. By implementing the right solutions and training, businesses can ensure efficiency, maintain customer trust and enhance their reputation.

What comes to your mind when you think of 'tank monitoring'?

In this webinar, sponsored by InSite Platform Partners Inc., learn how the technology that is available within current tank monitoring infrastructure not only allows you to read propane levels in a tank, but actually opens doors for your company to streamline inventory management and improve safety.

Register for free here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4640184/BE4EF7E675432DB3D6EC76FD70F4DC51?partnerref=social

Fueling New Revenue Streams: How Tank Monitoring Solves Common & Costly Pain Points Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM Central Daylight Time. During this panel presentation, participants will delve into the myriad benefits of current tank monitoring technology and how it addresses changes in the industry. Propane marketers will discover how modern technology solutions do so much mor...

Propane marketers have a lot of safety regulations to consider when selling propane to farmers. At times, this might feel like a burden for marketers.

But what if instead of being an obstacle, prioritizing propane safety for agriculture customers was seen as an opportunity to deepen customer relations? Chris Wagner with the National Propane Gas Association talks on what this might look like for the propane industry.

Fostering Collaboration Between Farmers & Propane Marketers Propane marketers are sometimes overwhelmed by the many safety dynamics that exist in agricultural contexts. However, what can be seen as safety obstacles on a farm could be new opportunities for the propane marketer to provide meaningful customer service.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has reversed a multimillion-dollar jury verdict in the Johnston v. Ferrellgas Inc. case. It was claimed that a defective propane cylinder valve caused a flash fire, leading to burns. Originally awarded $7M (reduced to $1.7M), the appellate court found insufficient evidence of a defect at the time of sale.

Read more on how this ruling underscores the critical need for rigorous inspections and safety measures in our industry in David Schlee's article.

Appellate Court Reverses Texas Grill Cylinder Verdict The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed a $1.7 million verdict against Ferrellgas Inc. in a flash fire case, citing insufficient evidence of a defective cylinder when it left the company's possession. The case involved burns suffered by Sidney Johnston from a barbeque grill incident...

What is one thing you feel like is missing in your life?

That's the question in this issue of Verbatim. Tune in as responders bare their hearts on their sleeves and share what they wish they could have back and adventures they hope to pursue going forward.

Propane Leaders Answer: What Is Missing in Your Life? We have all lost or regretted not doing something. In this issue's Verbatim column, your friends across the propane industry answer what it is that is missing in their lives.

Cheers to smooth vineyard operations! Suburban Propane fuels essential functions like frost protection, crop drying and heating, keeping vineyards running efficiently year-round.

From powering essential equipment to maintaining the perfect temperature, check out this article on how they're ensuring vineyards thrive in every season.

From the Vine to the Bottle: How Propane Powers Vineyard Operations & Ensures a Fruitful Crop Suburban Propane supplies vineyards with propane for essential functions like frost protection, crop drying and heating. Their efficient and eco-friendly energy solutions support smooth operations and sustainability in the agricultural sector year-round.

Happy Fourth of July! Yesterday, you might have had family gathered around a propane grill, celebrating each other's company — a great image of the way propane can bring people together.

We hope you enjoyed a day spent with friends, family and fireworks — and some grilled food made with love and propane!

This year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from June 17-20, Rural Computer Consultants, Inc. - Fuel Distribution System (RCC) hosted its 26th annual Customer Seminar.

The event is a mashup of educational sessions, vendor networking opportunities and plain, old fun times. Click the link below to learn more about RCC's inventive seminar and consider some takeaways as you think about how to better engage your own customers.

https://bpnews.com/news/rural-computer-consultants-hosts-26th-customer-seminar

July marks BPN's coverage of propane in the agriculture sector.

To kick off the month, join us as we hear from Paige O'Dell — EDP's Central Region vice president — and her thoughts on some of the current challenges and opportunities of growth trending across the agriculture industry.

Pain Points & Lessons Learned for Serving Agriculture Customers in 2024 Paige O'Dell with EDP analyzes some of the challenges and main takeaways for propane marketers working alongside the agriculture sector. From the growth of the ma*****na market to the conversion of farming land into solar panel fields, here are some things you should know about to better serve your....

Mike Walters — vice president of Safety & Fleets at Superior Energy Systems, Ltd. — is BPN's June Industry Insider!

In this issue of Industry Insider, Walters talks on the 'electrify everything' movement, his most important lessons in providing safety solutions and his prized classic Chevy.

Mike Walters Reflects on Safety Lessons Throughout His Career Mike Walters, Superior Energy Systems' vice president of safety and fleets, is featured as BPN's Industry Insider for June. Take a look to learn more about the lessons Walters has learned through his time in the propane industry, as well as his experience responding to the Loma Prieta earthquake in....