Article

Linden’s Propane Inc.

It’s been a good winter in Northeast Ohio for propane marketers, yet it’s been a tough winter. Heavy snowfall at times has led to road closures and headaches for Linden’s Propane of Lagrange, located about 35 miles southwest of Cleveland.

“All in all, we’ve 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.

Linden’s Propane reaches those customers in a fleet of seven propane-fueled bulk trucks built and maintained by mechanics John Linden and Eric Linden – Philip’s sons. Linden’s 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 efficient truck. They get more gallons per mile delivered than most trucks are able to accomplish. They pump faster and fill faster.”

That progress inside the garage makes a difference in the field. It builds on a philosophy that Philip Linden held when he launched the business more than 50 years ago. It’s based on good service, fast delivery and a fair price.

“The biggest reason for Phil’s 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. It’s 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, “We’ve never solicited a customer door to door like other companies. The only business we get is when somebody calls us.”

Linden’s furnishes all equipment outside the customer’s 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 that’s in addition to having a low price, while other companies are charging up to $6 a gallon, Philip Linden says.

“Our price is $2.20, $2.30 as of right now, and we haven’t been higher than that all winter,” he says.
Holly Linden calls Linden’s 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 efficient in their deliveries; and the experienced office workers.

“Our employees are extremely knowledgeable,” Holly Linden says. “We provide the training so they can handle the customer, take care of the customer and solve the customer’s problem. If a customer has a problem, they don’t get caught up in red tape, phone messages or an answering service. You’re talking to people answering our phones every day. There’s a person on the other side.”

Linden’s Propane also runs an ammonia business during the spring and summer, keeping employees busy in propane’s off-season.

TEAM: Co-owners Philip and Holly Linden
LOCATION: Lagrange, Ohio
FOUNDED: 1958
EMPLOYEES: 15
CUSTOMERS: 6,000
PROPANE SOLD: About 6 million gallons per year
ONLINE: www.lindenspropane.com