LP Gas, February 2019

JOSH SCHMOLL DRAEGER PROPANE The essentials Age 32 serves as general manager at Draeger Propanes Rhinelander Wisconsin location Years in the propane industry 20 LP GAS RISING LEADERS How did you get your start in the propane industry I have been around the propane industry my entire life I saw my father run the Rhinelander Wisconsin location for Great Plains Gas when I was a child in the early 1990s That is where I was first exposed to the industry In 1995 my father left National Propane and joined two other partners to start up a propane company from scratch That startup happens to be the company I am with today What is your vision for growing your company and how can you achieve that vision I am old fashioned in the sense of making quality service a top priority for not only our current customers but for new prospective customers as well I still believe in positive word of mouth to be the most effective marketing strategy you can have as a business to enhance organic growth However I also understand how important being the low cost leader is in the Midwest We will have to continue to balance both in order to continue to grow I want to take huge strides in the autogas market as there is potential for huge gallon growth I want to continue to offer and expand on emerging technology for our customers Online bill pay growing our social media presence tank monitors etc We will have to continue to adapt to technology and global markets in order to achieve success How can the propane industry prosper in the coming years There has to be increased education to the public in regards to what propane is and its benefits The successful implementation of autogas as a major player in vehicle refueling across the United States will be huge for the industry As propane competes head to head with gasoline and wins the industry can rebuild lost gallons In order for this to occur major car manufacturers in the United States have to develop and offer propane powered technology at dealerships across the country Also bi fuel conversions have to be offered at more locations across the country for existing vehicle owners Propane retailers need to be accessible and knowledgeable for refueling purposes If this can happen across the country on a consistent basis consumer confidence in propane autogas will continue to swell As propane continues to be exported from the United States we have to set up strategic reserves or export restrictions must be put in place when domestic inventory levels reach dangerously low levels What does your generation offer to the propane industry that previous generations did not My generation is always looking for a better way of doing things when it comes to technology and marketing With our customer base becoming younger every year phonebook advertising has become a very ineffective way to reach customers With the emergence of smartphones having a strong social media presence and having great efficiency for your website has become important factors in reaching younger demographics However previous generations in the propane industry cultivated relationships better with customers My generation can learn from previous generations in that regard Sometimes personal face to face contact with your customers either at the office or in the field is more meaningful than using technology to connect with them What specific technologies are you using or plan to use to support business operations We are using the Bolletta bill payment platform with Heartland Payment Systems to process our online credit card payments through our website We are looking into using tablets in our delivery trucks to improve delivery efficiencies Tank monitors are also being considered for tanks with heavy or inconsistent usage and for tanks on the outskirts of our service area We are also interested in different software systems to support our office operations What propane industry associations are you involved with at the state and or national level I am a board member for the Wisconsin Propane Education and Research Council I am serving a twoyear term that started in July of 2017 Is there anything else youd like to tell us about yourself your company and or the propane industry We started our company from scratch in 1995 and today we sell 3 million retail gallons between two locations We sell an additional 1 million wholesale gallons through our propane transports All with under 10 full time employees I am cross trained in every position at our company something I take great pride in I am proud of our growth and of the way we run our business I am passionate about growing our industry and look up to my father for his 40 years of experience in the industry 28 LPGas February 2019 LPGasmagazine com