LP Gas, March 2010

C O M P A N I E S T O W A T C H Shot Snap Lindens Propane Inc Ohio retailer believes building own trucks adds effi ciency to operation BY BRIAN RICHESSON Senior editor I ts been a good winter in Northeast Ohio for propane marketers yet its been a tough winter Heavy snowfall at times has led to road closures and headaches for Lindens Propane of Lagrange located about 35 miles southwest of Cleveland All in all weve been able to keep up says Holly Linden who co owns the company with her husband Philip That means making up the time if necessary on another day or the weekend to ensure customers tanks are full Lindens Propane reaches those customers in a fl eet of seven propanefueled bulk trucks built and maintained by mechanics John Linden and Eric Linden Philips sons Lindens also operates two transports They build the trucks from the ground up the tanks engines transmissions Holly Linden says We feel they are a better truck a much more effi cient truck They get more gallons per mile delivered than most trucks are able to accomplish They pump faster and fi ll faster That progress inside the garage makes a difference in the fi eld It builds on a philosophy that Philip Linden held when he launched the business more than 50 years ago Its based on good service fast delivery and a fair price The biggest reason for Phils success is his attitude toward service Holly Linden says He started the company and worked at the company all these years wanting to help people and service people Its about helping one person at a time and meeting their needs We pride ourselves on having the best service in the area Philip Linden adds Weve never solicited a customer door to door like other companies The only business we get is when somebody calls us Lindens furnishes all equipment outside the customers house builds its own concrete tank footers and paints tanks an aluminum color that makes them the best looking tanks in the whole area And thats in addition to having a low price while other companies are charging up to 6 a gallon Philip Linden says Our price is 220 230 as of right now and we havent been higher than that all winter he says Holly Linden calls Lindens 15 employees the best in the industry providing the best service in an area that includes about eight competitors She points to the mechanics who keep their trucks running the drivers who are effi cient in their deliveries and the experienced offi ce workers Our employees are extremely knowledgeable Holly Linden says TEAM Co owners Philip and Holly Linden LOCATION Lagrange Ohio FOUNDED 1958 EMPLOYEES 15 CUSTOMERS 6000 PROPANE SOLD About 6 million gallons per year ONLINE www lindenspropane com We provide the training so they can handle the customer take care of the customer and solve the customers problem If a customer has a problem they dont get caught up in red tape phone messages or an answering service Youre talking to people answering our phones every day Theres a person on the other side Lindens Propane also runs an ammonia business during the spring and summer keeping employees busy in propanes off season LPG 80 LPGas March 2010 www LPGasmagazine com