Article

Proulx Oil and Propane

Family business of the year honored for financial, community successes

The foundation for Proulx Oil and Propane’s selection as the New Hampshire Small Business Administration’s Family Business of the Year was formed in 1996, when the heating oil dealer added propane to the company’s resumé.

“We learned along the way that there are a lot of hidden expenses as a propane retailer,” says Jim Proulx, who co-owns the third-generation company with his brothers, John and Tom. “Tanks, trucks and other equipment are just one side of the expenses of being in the propane business.”

To succeed, a retailer must stay current with continuing education, training and safety, and changing regulations; pay competitive wages; and participate in national and state associations, Proulx says. The company has focused on these areas while working with its lenders to maintain a strong balance sheet and income statement, and remain profitable.

In doing so, the family business met the award’s first criteria of financial success. Nominees for the award also were evaluated on increased employment opportunities and community volunteer efforts.

The company keeps employees year-round with its air conditioning installation and service business. It purchased and operates EVAC1, which specializes in propane tank evacuation services for other retailers.

Proulx Oil and Propane continues to meet community requests for financial support and encourages employees to participate in local events.

“Our recent addition of a pink truck through participation in the American Breast Cancer Foundation has been truly humbling, with the stories of survivors and the support we have gotten from our customers, community members and the media,” Proulx says.

A better understanding
The company plans to educate its customers on the financial, environmental and efficiency benefits of propane over other fuels – “for everything propane can do and applications propane already has, which our customer base just needs to understand better,” Proulx says.

Members of the Alliance Autogas partnership and distributors of the PRINS gasoline-to-propane conversion system, Proulx Oil and Propane considers motor fuel as having the greatest potential for substantial growth for the company.

The company says it offers “cutting-edge technologies, products and services.” That includes the EnerTrac remote monitoring system, which provides the greatest mutual benefit to customers, Proulx says.

Proulx Oil and Propane also sells propane-powered electric generators, supplying customers with a solution to frequent power outages known to blanket the Northeast.

TEAM: Pictured above, from left, the SBA’s Witmer Jones and Jeanne Hulit present John, Jim and Tom Proulx with the family business award.
LOCATION: New Hampshire offices in Newmarket, Epping and Center Conway
FOUNDED: 1944
EMPLOYEES: 39 combined full time and seasonal
CUSTOMERS: 4,000 propane (90 percent for residential applications; 10 percent for commercial)
PROPANE SOLD: 2.4 million gallons annually
ONLINE: www.proulxoilandpropane.com