Running a propane business means doing more than just keeping your tanks full and your deliveries on time. You’re also an important part of a larger community, full of people who need to know who you are and what you offer. One smart way to build those local ties is by joining your local chamber… Continue reading Fueling Local Connections Through the Chamber of Commerce
Safety checklists are one of the most important tools in any propane operation, but they often get a bad reputation. Many crews feel that checklists slow them down or get in the way of getting the job done. The challenge is finding a way to keep safety at the center of the work – without… Continue reading Fast, Simple, Safe: Rethinking Safety Checklists
Propane cylinders are a key part of many retail operations, especially when stored in outdoor cages. They’re convenient, accessible, and serve a steady flow of customers. But with that convenience comes multiple risks – cylinder theft, miscounts, and inventory mix-ups can quietly chip away at your profits. If you’re not watching closely, those losses can… Continue reading Locked, Logged, and Counted: Mastering Cylinder Cage Control
Running a propane business comes with constant pressure to manage rising costs while keeping service strong. You may have already taken the usual steps like tracking fuel spending and working overtime. Still, there are often hidden places where money slips away without notice. Finding and fixing these overlooked areas can do much to increase your… Continue reading Are You Missing These Cost Cuts In Your Business?
Even minor workflow improvements can make a big difference when propane businesses are short on time and stretched thin on staff. One of the most practical changes you can make is to offer a customer self-service portal. This doesn’t mean giving up personal service; rather, it involves giving your customers an easier way to do… Continue reading Let Customers Help Themselves: Why Self-Service Is the Next Smart Move
Serving rural and elderly propane customers takes more than just making deliveries. These clients often face challenges that others don’t – limited mobility, unreliable transportation, spotty cell phone or internet service, and tighter budgets. For many, propane isn’t just a fuel – it’s their lifeline, especially when cold weather hits. If you’re not making it… Continue reading Beyond the Tank: Serving Rural and Elderly Customers with Care
Power outages are becoming more common across the country. Whether it’s due to storms or grid failures, people are looking for reliable backup power they can trust. That’s where propane generators come in, and the demand for them is growing. If you’re in the propane retail sector, this increasing demand isn’t just a trend –… Continue reading Power Out? Customers Are Turning to This Reliable Solution
Keeping customers long-term is often more difficult than winning them in the first place. In the propane sector, customers want reliable service, fair prices, and a sense of trust with their provider. One smart way to build that trust and strengthen customer retention is through tank upgrades. While upgrades can create sales opportunities, their true… Continue reading Keep Clients Committed: The Role of Propane Tank Upgrades in Retention
Expanding your propane business into new areas is never just about delivering more gallons. It’s about making sure you’re providing them in the right places. Many business owners expand into new zip codes without fully understanding the shape of the local market. That’s where local market mapping comes in, and it might be the one… Continue reading Is Local Market Mapping the Key to Smarter Growth?
Accurate propane meter readings are critical to every part of your business. They guide your billing, help track product movement, and protect you and your customers from disputes. But if the readings are slightly off, they can throw off your records, cost you money, and lead to unhappy clients. Getting those numbers right isn’t just… Continue reading Trust the Numbers: Why Meter Accuracy Matters More Than Ever
When a customer meets your propane company for the first time, whether through a phone call, website, technician, or delivery driver, they decide, often without saying a word, if they’ll stay with you. That first impression sets the tone for everything that follows. And in this industry, where word of mouth referrals, trust, and reliability… Continue reading More Than Just a Delivery: What Customers Notice First
Running a propane company means dealing with many moving parts – equipment, delivery schedules, safety systems, fuel supply, and service. One of the most significant cost areas that often gets overlooked is vendor relationships. You rely on outside vendors, from tank suppliers to software systems, to keep your business running. But over time, even trusted… Continue reading Are Your Propane Vendors Costing You More Than You Think?
Understanding Current Propane Pricing Trends As of mid-2025, U.S. wholesale propane prices have experienced fluctuations due to various market dynamics. For instance, in April 2025, prices were reported at $0.97 per gallon, slightly higher than the previous year. However, prices have decreased by approximately 7.6% since the beginning of the year. These fluctuations are influenced… Continue reading Assessing Propane Purchase Timing Amid Market Shifts
In the evolving landscape of the construction industry, propane marketers have a unique opportunity to position themselves as indispensable partners. By aligning with the industry’s shift towards sustainability, technological integration, and workforce development, propane businesses can offer solutions that address the specific needs of construction professionals. Here are three innovative strategies to foster collaboration between… Continue reading Key Strategies for Fostering Collaboration with the Construction Industry
Every propane delivery company faces the same challenge. You want to grow but don’t want to waste time, fuel, or money doing it. That’s where route density becomes your secret weapon. While many think growth simply means gaining more customers, innovative propane businesses understand that where those customers are located matters as much as how… Continue reading When Every Mile Counts, Route Density Leads the Way
As weed resistance grows and the pressure to reduce chemical use intensifies, farmers are exploring better ways to protect their crops without harming the environment or the soil. One method gaining traction is propane-powered flame weeding — a modern twist on a time-tested approach that offers precision, sustainability, and reliability. Unlike herbicides, which can linger… Continue reading Flame Weeding with Propane: A Smarter, Cleaner Way to Manage Fields
The propane industry is currently grappling with a significant challenge: a shortage of qualified bobtail drivers. This issue, intensified by factors such as an aging workforce, stringent certification requirements, and increased demand during peak seasons, has led to delays in deliveries and increased operational costs. As the demand for propane remains steady year after year,… Continue reading Innovative Approaches to Mitigate the Driver Shortage
Expanding your propane business often means finding new ways to serve customers and increase sales. One option that more companies are considering is offering financing for propane equipment. Providing financing allows customers to purchase tanks, heaters, and other propane-powered appliances without the burden of paying the full cost upfront. This can make your services more… Continue reading Making Equipment More Accessible with Smart Financing Options
Safety is the highest priority in the propane industry, and having the right tools to help manage that vital need can make a significant difference in a retailer’s daily operations. As the sector continues to evolve, with new regulations and risks constantly emerging, having a reliable safety resource also ensures that businesses can adapt to… Continue reading Strengthening Safety: A Top Resource for Propane Companies
Rising interest rates are making waves across every industry – and propane is no exception. If you’re thinking about upgrading or building a new bulk plant, you’ve likely felt the pressure of tighter loan terms and higher monthly payments. Financing options today look very different than they did even two years ago. That’s why it’s… Continue reading Feeling the Pinch? Interest Rates and Plant Expansion
As more large corporations enter the propane industry and small businesses are bought up or merged into national chains, many local propane providers find themselves asking the same question: “How can I compete?” The answer may not be in size or scale, but in something you’ve already built – your local relationships. In an industry… Continue reading Your Local Advantage Is Stronger Than You Think
As a propane business owner, you are likely focused on the day-to-day challenges of deliveries, customer service, and keeping operations efficient. But there is a growing issue you should also pay close attention to: electric grid reliability. More states and utility companies are studying the future of the electric grid, and the results of these… Continue reading Turning Grid Struggles Into New Growth for Your Propane Company
In the propane industry, safety must always be a top priority. However, many companies struggle to get customers interested in paid safety inspections. While customers know safety matters, they often see inspections as something they can skip, especially when money is tight. So, how can you structure a paid safety inspection program that customers want?… Continue reading Selling Safety: Turn Inspections Into Must-Have Services
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) offers a comprehensive Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) program designed to assist individuals in obtaining their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME). This program aligns with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, which mandate specific training requirements for new CDL and HME applicants. Understanding… Continue reading Simplifying CDL and Hazmat Training: NPGA’s ELDT Program Makes Compliance Easy
In the propane industry, inventory levels play a crucial role in determining market prices. Fluctuations in supply and demand, influenced by various factors, can lead to significant price volatility. For propane businesses, understanding these dynamics is essential for strategic planning and maintaining profitability. The Role of Inventory in Price Determination Propane inventory levels are a… Continue reading Decoding the Impact of Propane Inventory Dynamics
When you think about growing your propane business, your first calls are probably to your banker, supplier, or marketing team. But one expert you should not overlook is your insurance agent. They play a bigger role in your success than you might think. Planning for growth without them can leave you exposed to risks that… Continue reading Planning to Expand? Bring Your Insurance Agent to the Table
The energy industry is shifting. What once was a transaction-based service – deliver, bill, repeat – is being slowly replaced by something more familiar to modern consumers: subscriptions. Just as consumers now pay monthly for streaming services, software, and groceries, many are becoming more open to subscription-based energy models. For propane businesses, this change might… Continue reading Is Propane Ready for Subscription-Based Energy?
In the propane industry, traditional marketing methods like direct mail, newspaper ads, and word-of-mouth referrals have long been the norm. While these approaches definitely have their merits, the digital age offers new avenues to connect with customers, enhance visibility, and drive growth. Transitioning to digital marketing doesn’t mean abandoning tried-and-true methods; it simply involves augmenting… Continue reading From Print to Pixel: A Practical Guide to Embracing Digital Marketing
In the competitive realm of propane sales, understanding the dynamics of the purchasing process is crucial. Often, sales efforts are directed toward individuals who are involved in the buying process but lack the authority to make final decisions. To enhance sales effectiveness, it’s imperative to identify and engage with the actual decision-makers within prospective client… Continue reading Empowering Sales by Engaging the True Decision-Maker
In the evolving landscape of the propane industry, private equity firms are increasingly seeking platform companies – businesses that serve as a foundation for growth through acquisitions. For propane business owners aiming to attract such investment, understanding what makes a company appealing to private equity is crucial. Key Attributes of an Attractive Platform Company Private… Continue reading Positioning Your Business for Private Equity Investment
