(ROTARIANS HEAR ABOUT CRISWELL PROPANE INC.)
Established in 2008, Criswell Propane is a customer service focused small business, says owner Charlie Criswell to the Grinnell Rotary Club on Tues., Jan 11.
Building a relationship with your customer is important to Criswell Propane. Charlie communicates with all his customers on a first name basis and is available to meet their needs 24/7 via his personal cell phone. He utilizes a computerized algorithm that statically calculates if a customer is going to be out of propane at a given point in time. It has proven to be effective tool in predicting fuel consumptions.
Criswell Propane specializes in Residential, Agricultural and Commercial Propane Services. Services cover home heating, forklift cylinder exchanges, crop drying, small grill cylinder exchanges, along with leases and filling of 250, 500, and 1,000 gallon propane tanks. Himself and one other employee are fully trained and certified in all government and state regulatory requirements for handling and delivery of propane gases, in addition to ensuring all tanks/regulators are appropriately inspected for leaks/damages. Taking note also of the dates stamped on the cylinders, addressing those which have expirations beyond regulatory requirements.
When asked, "What are some of the issues that the business faces in today's market?", Charlie replied by saying, much like many other business's, not enough trained employees, and supply shortages, specifically propane gas in my business. Criswell Propane on an average gets several truck loads of propane a week in order to keep his 30 thousand gallon propane storage tank full. You need trained truck drivers in order to meet the propane gas transportation needs. As cold weather moves into our southern states demand increases which results in decrease of availability for Iowa propane requirements thus driving up prices. During the Texas freeze that occurred last year had a direct affect on Iowa Propane Gas availability is just one example.
Criswell Propane offers fixed contract pricing at the beginning of the summer for the next calendar year, which variables in weather throughout the country can have a drastic affect on Criswell Propane available gas. Increase gas prices does not always mean increase profit margins. You need trained truck drivers in order to meet the propane gas transportation needs also. There has been a shortage of qualified employees in throughout the logistic communities.
Charlie was able to field numerous questions that Rotarians presented. He proved to be extremely knowledgeable of the Propane Market and sincerely has passion for his business. Charlie is available to field questions or concerns that you might have related to the Propane Industry. He can be reached by calling work number 641-236-3363 or charliecriswell@hotmail.com. He encourages you to drop by and meet him in person at Criswell Propane 322 Ewart Rd. Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Suggests to call first, he might be out delivering propane and does not want to miss meeting you.
Editor: Karla Sandell
(ROTARIANS HEAR ABOUT CRISWELL PROPANE INC.)
Established in 2008, Criswell Propane is a customer service focused small business, says owner Charlie Criswell to the Grinnell Rotary Club on Tues., Jan 11.
Building a relationship with your customer is important to Criswell Propane. Charlie communicates with all his customers on a first name basis and is available to meet their needs 24/7 via his personal cell phone. He utilizes a computerized algorithm that statically calculates if a customer is going to be out of propane at a given point in time. It has proven to be effective tool in predicting fuel consumptions.
Criswell Propane specializes in Residential, Agricultural and Commercial Propane Services. Services cover home heating, forklift cylinder exchanges, crop drying, small grill cylinder exchanges, along with leases and filling of 250, 500, and 1,000 gallon propane tanks. Himself and one other employee are fully trained and certified in all government and state regulatory requirements for handling and delivery of propane gases, in addition to ensuring all tanks/regulators are appropriately inspected for leaks/damages. Taking note also of the dates stamped on the cylinders, addressing those which have expirations beyond regulatory requirements.
When asked, "What are some of the issues that the business faces in today's market?", Charlie replied by saying, much like many other business's, not enough trained employees, and supply shortages, specifically propane gas in my business. Criswell Propane on an average gets several truck loads of propane a week in order to keep his 30 thousand gallon propane storage tank full. You need trained truck drivers in order to meet the propane gas transportation needs. As cold weather moves into our southern states demand increases which results in decrease of availability for Iowa propane requirements thus driving up prices. During the Texas freeze that occurred last year had a direct affect on Iowa Propane Gas availability is just one example.
Criswell Propane offers fixed contract pricing at the beginning of the summer for the next calendar year, which variables in weather throughout the country can have a drastic affect on Criswell Propane available gas. Increase gas prices does not always mean increase profit margins. You need trained truck drivers in order to meet the propane gas transportation needs also. There has been a shortage of qualified employees in throughout the logistic communities.
Charlie was able to field numerous questions that Rotarians presented. He proved to be extremely knowledgeable of the Propane Market and sincerely has passion for his business. Charlie is available to field questions or concerns that you might have related to the Propane Industry. He can be reached by calling work number 641-236-3363 or charliecriswell@hotmail.com. He encourages you to drop by and meet him in person at Criswell Propane 322 Ewart Rd. Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Suggests to call first, he might be out delivering propane and does not want to miss meeting you.
Editor: Karla Sandell