Tackling the Cash Crunch

Fuel dealers have been facing some unprecedented conditions this summer which have a real potential to strain cash availability during the 2022-23 heating season should they persist.  The primary factors impacting the industry of late include: Historically high commodity costs Basis blowout Rising tank & equipment costs Supply chain issues (difficulty building equipment inventory) Slowing…

To cap or not to cap…

There are several situations occurring now that we haven’t seen in a long time (maybe not ever), and they are leading to some questions that need to be addressed – now! Russia/Ukraine Iran/Venezuela Supply shortages Basis Blowouts Empty storage tanks Rising interest rates High Inflation Confusing messages from political leadership Severe backwardation in the futures…

Basis Blowouts: Here to stay?

Is a “steady basis” a thing of the past? Will it return to normal? When might it happen? What if my supplier doesn’t offer me a fixed diff? What if I don’t want one? All of these questions are “top of the mind” as we plan for next winter. Visit us at our EEE booth…

Prices spiked (again). Now what should you do?

On the last day of 2021 the price of WTI crude oil futures closed at $75/bbl.  About 10 weeks later, the price had risen to over $90/bbl., and then just 10 days after that, prices traded over $130/bbl.  In a 10-day period in February, ULSD futures rose from $2.85/gallon to over $4.50/gallon, an increase of…

Suspended Reality

Though usually not at a loss for words, what has happened in the past week defies logic and almost defies reality – except that it actually happened.  We know the impetus – almost entirely the Russian invasion of Ukraine, along with “supporting actors” of Iranian nuclear talks, supply chain disruptions, interest-rate movements, and several “political…

The Results Are In

In 2020 we told you ADEPT ™ would improve your deliveries, and your profits. We were not guessing, and we were not wrong. Today, we are sharing ADEPT results. It’s happening. Hope you’re sitting down… Disclosures Results from January 2022 *All the deliveries by ADEPT clients in Jan ‘22 into 275-gallon tanks (>81% of all ADEPT HO tanks) that were…

Deliver more with less

We have been in this industry for over 30 years.  In that time, we have worked with hundreds and hundreds of heating oil and propane dealers of all different sizes and shapes.  Our clients have been multi-state public companies, they have been mid-size regional operators, they have been multi-generation local dealers, and they have been…

Everyone is desperate to hire drivers, but do you really need them?

We have been in this industry for over 30 years.  In that time, we have worked with hundreds and hundreds of heating oil and propane dealers of all different sizes and shapes.  Our clients have been multi-state public companies, they have been mid-size regional operators, they have been multi-generation local dealers, and they have been…

What number is compelling enough for you to change your behavior?

Is the number 1%, as in the chance of winning a raffle? Is the number 51%, as in the winner of a presidential election? Is the number 82%, as in the effectiveness of a vaccine against disease? Is the number 90%, as in the chance of rain before you take an umbrella? How about 100%?…