Employee reviews are never easy when times are tough. Whether your propane business is facing high costs, short staff, or slower growth, having honest conversations with team members about their performance can feel harder than usual. But even in difficult times – especially in difficult times – clear and fair appraisals are still important. They… Continue reading What Tough Appraisals Can Teach You About Your Team
If you’re working in the propane industry, you already know how important details can be. Whether it’s a tank install, a service call, or a Proof safety check, there are a lot of moving parts – and a lot of ways things can go wrong if they’re not tracked properly. That’s where photo documentation comes… Continue reading The Protection of Photographic Proof
If you run a propane business, you’ve probably noticed how much prices and supply levels can shift, sometimes without much warning. You might be doing everything right on your end, but larger forces outside the country can still impact how easy it is to get propane, what it costs, and how you plan for the… Continue reading What Global Issues Are Shaping Propane Supply?
Accidents in the propane business can happen, even with all the right training and safety steps in place. When something goes wrong and a claim is filed, how you handle it can make a big difference. A smooth, fast response protects your customers, your team, and your business. But if you’re not prepared, it can… Continue reading Insurance Claims and Propane: Don’t Let Chaos Win
Propane tanks don’t wear out overnight. The process of tank deterioration happens gradually over years of use, wear and tear, and exposure to various kinds of weather. If you’re not keeping track of how long your tanks have been in service, you could be risking safety, unexpected costs, and lost company time. Each tank’s lifespan… Continue reading The Importance of Monitoring Propane Tank Lifespans
Building a strong team culture is one of the best ways to keep employees engaged, loyal, and productive. When people feel respected and included, they work harder, stay longer, and bring better ideas to the table. But creating a culture where everyone feels valued doesn’t happen by accident, and it can go wrong if you’re… Continue reading What Dangers Should You Avoid When Building Team Culture?
In propane delivery, safety and timing are everything. When a truck is too heavy, even by a small amount, it puts your drivers, your equipment, and your business at risk. Overloading doesn’t just cause wear and tear on your trucks; it can lead to serious accidents, breakdowns, and fines. You may not notice the cost… Continue reading Overloaded Trucks? Here’s How to Stop It Before It Starts
When you’re moving propane cylinder transport, Even a small mistake can lead to a big fine. These violations can cost you more than just money; they can hurt your reputation, delay deliveries, or even put your team at risk. That’s why it’s important to understand the regulations pertaining to this type of transport and make… Continue reading Rolling the Risk? How to Keep Cylinder Transport Compliant
Running a small propane dollar company means wearing a lot of hats. You may be handling sales, dispatching trucks, checking invoices, and managing customer calls all in the same day. But when it comes to finances, many small businesses still group all expenses into one big pot. That works for a while, but as your… Continue reading The Budgeting Fix That Helps Every Propane Dollar Work Harder
Fuel prices don’t just impact your personal vehicle – they shape the entire way goods and services move across the country. For propane businesses, especially those serving rural areas, higher transportation costs can mean tighter margins, longer delivery times, and difficult choices about how to keep routes efficient without letting down valued customers. When you’re… Continue reading The Road to Profit: How Fuel Prices Could Reshape Your Routes
Every workplace has risks. Whether you’re running a propane operation company, managing a service yard, or overseeing drivers and deliveries, hazards can show up when you least expect them. Some dangers are easy to spot – like a broken valve or a loose wire – but others build slowly over time, such as poor habits,… Continue reading How to Build a Hazard-Free Propane Operation
Hiring the next generation can be a challenge, especially in the Propane Company, where the work is hands-on and the pace is steady. Gen Z, a demographic made up of the people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, is now entering the workforce in large numbers. They grew up with smartphones/ tablets, fast… Continue reading Gen Z Is Looking for Purpose – Can Your Propane Company Offer It?
Fuel cylinders play a big role in the propane business. We rely on them every day to store and transport gas safely. But once they’ve reached the end of their life – or are damaged or unsafe – they can’t just be tossed aside. That’s where cylinder recycling and remediation come in. These are not… Continue reading Rusty Tanks, Real Risks: Why Proper Cylinder Recycling Matters
Farmers are often more than just customers – they can be neighbors, family friends, and even the backbone of your local community. If your propane business wants to grow in rural areas, it’s important to build real relationships with the people who depend on your product to keep their farms running. That starts with knowing… Continue reading Earning Trust in Boots and Barns: Marketing Propane to Farmers
When the peak propane season is over, it’s easy for employees to feel like they’re running on half-speed. The phones slow down. The deliveries stretch out. And suddenly, the fast pace that kept everyone busy is replaced by long, quiet days. If you’re not careful, this slower season can lead to boredom, low morale, or… Continue reading How Do You Keep Staff Engaged off Propane Season?
Selling your propane business is a big decision. After years of building your company, managing customers, and keeping operations running, you’ve earned the right to think about the next step. Whether you’re ready to retire or just want to explore new opportunities, selling to a consolidator might sound like the easiest path. But before you… Continue reading Selling to a Consolidator Sounds Easy – But Is It Wise?
Running a propane business means more than just deliveries, installations, and service calls. You’re part of a larger industry that’s being shaped every day by lawmakers, regulators, and shifting public opinions. What happens in your state capitol can affect your prices, your operations, and your future. That’s why staying involved in propane advocacy is more… Continue reading Your Voice Counts: Join the Propane Push in Your State
If you’re like most propane business owners, your time is split between service calls, deliveries, and day-to-day challenges. With everything on your plate, it’s easy to wonder if something like a digital newsletter is still worth your time. But the truth is, e-newsletters continue to be one of the best ways to stay connected with… Continue reading From Quiet to Top-of-Mind: The Power of Newsletters
When you work in a family-owned or long-standing propane business, your name carries meaning. It’s not just about the trucks, the tanks, or the logo. It’s about the people who built it, the values they lived by, and the trust they earned. Carrying that legacy forward is something to be proud of, and it’s something… Continue reading More Than Fuel: Why Your Propane Legacy Matters
When you’re running a propane company, one of the hardest things to let go of is dispatching. It’s the brain of the operation, controlling where trucks go, when deliveries happen, and how problems get solved in the field. If you’ve been making most of those decisions yourself – or checking up behind everyone – it’s… Continue reading Turning Your Dispatchers Into Confident Decision-Makers
Propane is widely used for heating, cooking, and powering equipment, but high summer temperatures can create challenges for its safe storage and handling. When temperatures rise, propane tanks experience increased pressure, which can affect safety if not properly managed. Understanding how summer heat impacts propane storage and taking the right precautions can help prevent accidents,… Continue reading How Summer Heat Affects Propane Storage and Safety
In the propane industry, safety and efficiency go hand in hand. While many companies have well-documented policies and procedures, too often, these manuals end up completely forgotten – stored away in a binder or a digital file that no one regularly reviews. But in a business where compliance, safety, and customer service are critical, keeping… Continue reading Keeping Policies and Procedures Alive
Propane professionals often work in environments where written safety codes meet unpredictable real-world situations. While the NFPA 58 code provides a solid framework, on-the-ground scenarios sometimes demand flexibility, interpretation, and communication to maintain both compliance and safety. Changing Dispensers, Changing Safety Zones As propane equipment evolves, so does the way we define safety boundaries. With modern… Continue reading Bridging the Gap Between Propane Codes and On-Site Realities
On July 2, 2025, Ohio’s governor signed House Bill 96 – a provision embedded in the state’s funding legislation extending through fiscal year 2027 – that allows commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders aged 18 to 20 to receive a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) for intrastate propane transport. Background on HME Requirements Until now, Ohio was among… Continue reading Ohio Lowers Age for Hazardous Materials Endorsement to Support Propane Transport
The off-season may feel like a break, but it’s one of your best chances to get ahead. While things are quieter, you have more time to give your equipment, trucks, and systems a full checkup. It’s much easier to catch small problems now than deal with expensive and inconvenient breakdowns during the busy season. Regular… Continue reading Off-Season, On Guard: Safety Checks That Save You Later
Hiring contractors can be a smart way to get jobs done without expanding your full-time team. But when something goes wrong, you might be surprised to find yourself responsible, even if the contractor isn’t your employee. That’s where vicarious liability comes in. It’s the legal idea that a business can be held responsible for the… Continue reading Protecting Your Business from Contractor Mistakes
Running a propane business means you’re always wearing more than one hat. You’re trying to grow your sales, take care of your customers, and still have time to handle service calls, installations, and safety checks. Some days, the sales side pulls you in one direction, while the service side demands your time somewhere else. If… Continue reading Don’t Let Sales or Service Slip – Here’s How to Balance Both
Propane prices can swing quickly. That’s why many propane business owners look to futures contracts as a way to protect themselves or improve their profits. But there’s a big difference between trading futures for a profit and using them to hedge your costs. If you’re considering propane futures, you need to know which approach fits… Continue reading Hedge or Hustle? Choosing the Right Propane Price Strategy
Storage tanks are a major investment for any propane business. Whether you’re growing your customer base or replacing older equipment, these tanks are key to keeping your operations running smoothly. However, buying tanks doesn’t have to break your budget. With a smart plan and careful timing, you can bring costs down while still getting the… Continue reading The Savvy Buyer’s Guide to Propane Tank Savings
Across the propane industry, one issue continues to demand attention: a growing shortage of qualified bobtail drivers. As demand for propane stays steady and, in some regions, even rises, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain reliable delivery schedules. The reasons are many – an aging workforce, fewer people entering skilled trades, and tough… Continue reading Keeping the Wheels Turning: Smart Fixes for the Driver Shortage
