LP Gas, January 2019

industry UPDATE INDUSTRY NEWS NUMBERS Expanded showroom demo kitchen part of Georgia retailers renovation C onger LP Gas is going old school with new technology hoping to show other propane retailers how to thrive into the future against competing energy sources The company celebrated the grand opening of its new Tifton Georgia location in early December with a two day event that drew more than 800 people President and CEO Dan Richardson says The event featured a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Ti f ton Ti f t County Chamber of Commerce as well as cooking demonstrations a cylinder fill special door prizes and more While the Conger staff successfully promoted the event Richardson says We have made it a concentration to get our name out there over the last three years to increase our brand awareness That has been a big part of it In a smaller community like this people know you they want to support you and they did The new location features a 1200 sq ft showroom Congers old office was no more than 1600 sq ft with fireplaces and gas log sets Holland grills and an interactive Rinnai tankless water heater display enabled with Amazon Alexa Conger also expanded its product line and now offers grilling and cooking products and gas appliances including cooktops free standing ranges and washer dryer sets Richardson says he wanted Conger to expand into clothes dryers after a personal experience of having to wait three weeks to receive a gas model from a large appliance retailer Any appliance you put in your home we can now get and most will be out on display says Richardson noting how local contractors can bring in their customers who need gas appliances for a new or remodeled home The new location also has a classroomstyle demonstration kitchen with Wolf and SubZero appliances to host cooking seminars with chefs from the region With the renovation Conger is showing how propane retailers have the unique ability to provide customers with gas appliances and the many side services while also supplying their propane People are always talking negative things about the propane industry our gallons are going down and were obsolete Richardson says No were not We have an opportunity in the propane industry that other people would kill for Brian Richesson ACQUISITIONS SALES Continued on page 10 ACQUISITIONS SALES TIMELINE NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1 Gibson Energy Calgary Alberta Canada sells wholesale propane assets 2 Energy Distribution Partners Chicago acquires Sunrise Cooperatives propane operation near Lancaster Ohio 3 Quarles Petroleum Fredericksburg Virginia acquires Revere Gas Hartfield Virginia 4 Tech Air Danbury Connecticut acquires Scully Welding Supply and Propane Service Collingdale Pennsylvania 5 Fratelli Pettinaroli Italy fully acquires Jomar Group Warren Michigan 6 Ferrellgas Liberty Missouri acquires Co Op Butane Bush Louisiana The acquisitions listed here were made public and or reported to LP Gas magazine To report your companys acquisition email brichesson@ northcoastmedia net 8 LPGas January 2019 LPGasmagazine com PHOTOS COURTESY OF CONGER LP GAS ISTOCK COM JENNAWAGNER 1 GIBSON ENERGY SELLS WHOLESALE PROPANE ASSETS Gibson entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its non core Environmental Services North assets with closing expected to occur during the first quarter of 2019 subject to receipt of all necessary approvals and satisfaction of customary conditions The companys exit from the NGL wholesale business includes the sale of certain assets and inventory to a third party and the winding down of remaining inventories Gibson reports The disposition of the wholesale propane business was expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions with the remaining inventories expected to be fully liquidated in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019 2018 deals reported 54 2017 deals reported at this point 45 Conger LP Gas expanded its product line offering grilling and cooking products and gas appliances