LP Gas, July 2014
CORPORATE CAPAbiliTiEs Energy Distribution Partners Opportunity Knocks for Propane Owners E nergy Distribution Partners believes the opportunity is greater than ever for quality propane operators who know how to manage efectively to meet customers changing needs After four recent acquisitions from California to the Ohio Valley EDP is well funded and open to operators seeking transactions that beneft employees communities and the owners Who is Energy Distribution Partners A newer company in Americas fastchanging energy landscape Energy Distribution Partners EDP has created a leadership team of propane industry veterans with a deep understanding of retail and commercial propane sales operations and finance Tom Knauff CEO brings 30 plus years of executive operations and transaction experience in the industry After Knauff Young serving Ferrellgas as a wholesale division manager and retail marketing director Tom co founded Propane Continental making 34 acquisitions before selling to Cornerstone Propane in 1998 He then affiliated with a Chicago middle market investment bank and continued his entrepreneurial focus in the energy industry In 2003 Tom cofounded Liberty Propane ran its operations during the start up period and served on its board until 2009 In 2012 Tom co founded Chicagobased Energy Distribution Partners He teamed up with long time industry veteran Marlo Young to run the operations as executive vice president of retail propane More recently Brett Krause joined as head of corporate development for EDP Strategy for Acquiring Propane Businesses Energy Distribution Partners takes a long term view of the propane industry acquiring quality businesses and operating them for the long haul The company is funded by private individuals and family offices with long term investment objectives so EDPs approach is very different from some consolidators in the industry who focus on short term gains for their investors EDPs commitment to the future of propane also extends to employees of distributors and the communities they serve The EDP team is looking for quality operators who understand the business have hired good people and know how to serve propane customers When EDP acquires a company the operating philosophy is to preserve local management and delegate to our people in the local community EDP doesnt have a bureaucratic central planning structure When operating decisions are made locally employees are more engaged and responsible so everyone performs at a higher level Customers know the difference too EDPs branding strategy is multilocal meaning that each operator keeps its own name personnel and locations This creates an attractive situation for local owner operators Track Record as an Attractive Partner Already Energy Distribution Partners has built a track record as a partner of choice for propane operators seeking well structured tax efficient transactions EDP has carried out four transactions so far Lindens Propane in LaGrange Ohio Ludwig Propane in Grand Rapids and Fremont Ohio Expo Propane in Los Angeles California and BrightStar Propane Fuels in Columbus Ohio Going forward EDP is seeking additional opportunities in well run single or multi location retail propane operations as well as midstream businesses The companys focus ranges from smaller family owned businesses to transactions with a 100 million plus valuation For more information reach out to Tom Knauff CEO at 312 254 5951 or tknauff@ edplp net or Brett Krause head of corporate development at 312 254 5954 or bkrause@ edplp net Energy Distribution Partners 200 West Madison Suite 980 Chicago IL 60606 Phone 312 254 5950 Website www edplp net 62 LPGas July 2014 2013 www LPGasmagazine com
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