Operations

Cover Story KOSCO creates a unique, committed and successful service-tech training program A few weeks ago Fuel Oil News met with Alan Mercurio, named in 2005 as Associate Member of the Year by the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers. Also sitting in was Brian Pruiksma, the service supervisor for KOSCO in Kingston, N.Y.KOSCO, or the Kingston Oil Supply ...

Guest Column By Bob Hedden So far, as I write this on March 2, the 2005-06 winter has been a degree-day disaster. It’s true that February was pretty cold, but I don’t think March and April are going to make up for the tropical January.There are lots of disagreeable ways to deal with a lack of winter: cutbacks, layoffs, salary ...

Cover Story Tiff and Debbie Nevins, along with their dog Chappy, of McCandless Fuels in Conshohocken, Pa., near Philadelphia, had carried on the family tradition that began in 1897. In looking for a transition plan for retirement, the Nevins’s chose Griffith Energy Services. They felt that in addition to the financial considerations, they had an obligation to their employees and ...

Feature StoryCarlin, Dynatherm team to bring technician training to the masses Many years ago, this nation was founded by pioneers who traveled across the country and opened new horizons for all of us. Many of the wagons used by these stalwart souls were the venerable Conestoga wagon, a tried and proven product built in Pennsylvania. Last fall, a different type ...

Feature StoryInspection, testing, maintenance, repair and replacement are the ways to reduce liabilityby jonathon r. black, esq. A recurring question facing fuel-oil dealers is how to approach the issue of the homeowner’s fuel-oil storage tank. Some oil dealers accept responsibility for maintaining and servicing the oil tank in their maintenance contract, while others attempt to exclude responsibility for the tank. ...

Feature Story Attendance records could fall as 2006 AHR Expo visits one of its most popular destinations Based on the number of companies that have reserved space for AHR Expo 2006 in the North and South Buildings of Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, Jan. 23-25, as well as a number of planned show enhancements, the event promises to be one ...

Feature Story Summer of ’05By Lou Karl I guess that all the service managers are having lots of fun these days. I said it before, how I envy you guys with all that action going on with the air-conditioning jobs. I am sure for all the hard work you are doing during this “steaming” hot weather, your boss will surely ...

Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire marks four decades at annual convention Dozens of fuel oil and multi-fuel marketers rode the waves and enjoyed the ambiance of the Bay City, Portsmouth, N.H., from Sept. 20-22. Members and guests were entertained by Sprague Energy at the Axel Johnson Center on the banks of the Piscataqua River. And a genuine New England ...

Feature Story What is it, really, and who’s doing it? By James M. Burr The recent increase in volatility is causing a major shift in the marketplace. Accounts that five years ago swore that there was no need to learn how to hedge are attending classes. Marketers that scoffed at the idea that the age-old practice of midnight pricing would ...

Feature Story Going strong at 70Much like the industry it chronicles, FON has survived in challenging conditions By Chris Traczek When choosing a year to start a new entrepreneurial enterprise, there had to have been better choices than 1935. First of all, the country was still battling to shake the grip of The Great Depression, a battle that some would ...