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
The competition between propane and fuel oil has been going on for decades, especially in colder regions where both fuels are used for home heating. As a propane provider, you can gain new customers by showing the advantages of switching from fuel oil to propane. However, the way you do it matters. If you come… Continue reading From Oil to Opportunity: Making the Switch Easy for New Customers
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
Many propane companies focus their time and energy on finding new customers. But often, the most significant growth opportunity is right before you – the customers you currently serve. These customers already know your brand, trust your team, and rely on your services. That puts you in a strong position to increase your revenue without… Continue reading When Growth Doesn’t Mean More Customers—Just Better Service
Running a propane company means making daily decisions – route changes, service calls, deliveries – but how often do you stop to think about your company as it would be five years down the road? While it’s tempting to focus only on the next quarter or busy season, propane businesses that build long-term stability take… Continue reading Propane Growth Isn’t a Sprint – It’s a Five-Year Climb
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
The popularity and growth of tiny homes has proven to be a steady shift in how people choose to live. From retirees downsizing to younger families looking for affordable housing, these homes offer low overhead and financial independence. But, they still need reliable, efficient energy, and that’s where propane can shine. If you’re not offering… Continue reading Tiny Homes, Big Opportunity: Are You Fueling the Movement?
For propane companies, staying tax compliant is about protecting your margins, avoiding audits, and keeping your books clean year after year. Tax rules for propane businesses can get tricky, especially with fuel credits, depreciation, inventory tracking, and state-specific requirements. One mistake might seem small, but it can snowball into penalties, lost deductions, or even missed… Continue reading Overlooked and Overcharged: Tax Errors Propane Companies Keep Making
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
In the busy realm of the modern workplace, employee happiness and engagement have become pivotal to organizational success. Companies that prioritize these aspects often experience increased productivity, reduced turnover, and enhanced overall team performance. Let’s explore some actionable strategies that will serve to cultivate a positive and engaging work environment for your company. Creating a… Continue reading Practical Strategies for Today’s Workplace
In the competitive propane industry, fostering strong customer relationships is paramount. One effective strategy to achieve this is by offering propane price protection plans. These plans not only provide customers with financial predictability but also strengthen their trust in their propane suppliers. Understanding Propane Price Protection Plans Propane price protection plans are designed to shield… Continue reading Enhancing Customer Loyalty Through Price Protection Plans
Running a propane business takes more than good equipment and loyal customers. It also requires a strong team that shows up, follows through, and takes responsibility. But what happens when an employee misses the mark? Holding someone accountable is necessary, but it’s easy to unintentionally do it in a way that causes tension, frustration, or… Continue reading Correct Without Conflict: Accountability That Works
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?
If you’re running a propane company, the start of your work week can set the tone for everything that follows. But getting pulled in many directions is easy – calls, deliveries, invoices, and staff issues can all crop up as soon as the week is underway. That’s why it helps to begin your Mondays with… Continue reading The Three Monday Reports That Keep Your Propane Business Profitable
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?
Establishing a propane manufacturing plant involves a detailed understanding of production processes, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics. Propane, a clean-burning fuel, is primarily produced as a byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Its applications range from residential heating and cooking to industrial uses, making it a valuable energy source. Understanding Propane Production Propane… Continue reading Setting Up a Propane Manufacturing Plant: Key Considerations
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
Keeping your fleet in top shape is essential when running a propane business. Trucks that run well ensure smooth deliveries, safer operations, and lower costs. On the other hand, ignoring minor issues can lead to big problems. That is why regular reviews of your fleet’s health matter. Checking your trucks every quarter clearly shows where… Continue reading Avoid Costly Surprises: Quarterly Fleet Checks That Save You Money
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
Your top customers are the backbone of your propane business. They provide the steady demand that keeps your trucks rolling and your operations running. While it may be easy to assume that everything is fine with these long-time clients, consistently staying in touch with their needs and habits is essential. Regular audits are not about… Continue reading Why to Audit Your Top Ten Propane Customers Every Year
No propane company wants to pull a tank and lose a client, but sometimes, leaving equipment on an inactive property costs more than it’s worth. Tanks take up space, tie up capital, and can become a liability. Pulling a tank too soon – or doing it without care – can damage the client-company relationship and… Continue reading Innovative Ways to Free Up Tanks Without Losing Customers
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
Running a propane company comes with various risks – some of them legal, financial, or tied to unexpected accidents. As a business owner, you’re naturally focused on day-to-day operations, and it’s easy to overlook how your personal savings, property, and investments might be in danger. If the company is sued, hits financial trouble, or faces… Continue reading Protect What’s Yours: How to Keep Personal Assets Safe in a Risky Industry
The propane industry has long relied on traditional billing and payment systems. Still, new technology could change how businesses handle transactions. Blockchain, a digital record-keeping system, has gained attention in many industries for its ability to improve security, accuracy, and efficiency. While it is mainly linked to cryptocurrency, blockchain can potentially impact propane transactions in… Continue reading Blockchain Technology is Transforming Fuel Transactions
