The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
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50 JANUARY 2016 FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com BIO: Charlie Bursey began his long career in the oil heating indus- try in 1963. He has delivered coal, kerosene and oil and serviced heating and cooling equipment. He has also man- aged service departments, worked for a manufacturer and currently works with F.W. Webb, Warwick, R.I. He is a recipient of the Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals' prestigious Hugh McKee Award for making an outstanding contri- bution to the fuel oil industry; having had an understanding and cooperation with his/her fellow man; and having unselfishly aided the industry in education and related activities. CONTACT: ChasBursey@aol.com Charles Bursey, Sr. SERVICE l F O N O ver the past few weeks, I have talked to several contractors who sell oil, LP gas, pellets and heating equipment. During these conversa- tions, they all seem to have a standard question for me: When are we going to get the cold weather? As I have stated many times, my crystal ball broke a long time ago. However, I do realize that we have about 4.5 months to get those degree days converted into gallons of either LP or oil delivered along with boilers and furnaces installed. Think about your supplier who has millions of dollars in inventory pre- bought in anticipation of the seasonal cold winter, like we had during the winter of 2014, which has yet to arrive. I know that there are still some LP and natural gas companies installing new underground LP tanks and gas lines, when normally they are ahead of schedule in preparation for frost and snow. This should be a banner year in fuel sales, due to the fact that oil prices have declined to a more affordable price and fuel oil is more in line with LP gas. In some areas, gas equipment rebates still hold the upper hand and some contractors are still taking advantage of the sales opportunity. TECHNICIAN SHORTAGE Another concern that I hear far too often is, where do the contractors find the new technicians that will allow them to take on more work? My answer, to start with, is simple—reduce the amount of time between the classroom and OJT in order for new techs to get the required license sooner. Most states require an appren- tice to serve two years before taking the Journeymen's test that would allow the candidate to work legally. Keep in mind that some HVAC technical training programs cost in the area of $20,000 per year for a two-year pro- gram. Why? WHERE ARE FACTORY REPS? Many of you will remember the times when if we had an equipment issue we could call the local direct factory representative, who seems to have begun to disappear over the past couple of years. As recently as a week ago I heard that another manufacturing company has decided to eliminate the direct factory representative positions. Some reps that I have worked with for many years are gone. This is not to say the new rep agencies taking on these lines won't do a good job, but the tradesmen have brought their concerns about these missing connections to my attention. They are asking who the replacements are and if they will get the support and promptly when needed. I always tell contrac- tors they need to give the new reps a chance to prove their worth. I, like many in this profession, have worked with reliable representatives and with great success. On another note, I recently visited a manufacturing company located in Connecticut that is now under new ownership, and recently restructured. This was done not only to take their products to new heights, but to awaken a sleeping giant. As I see it, the owner, as part of the restructure plan, put in place factory representatives who understand and relate to their customers' needs and concerns. All of these people came with many years of trade related experience and drive, which I'm sure were prerequisites. Another concern that comes up frequently in conversations is the insufficient length of product warranties. For many years, most products have had a one- or two- year warranty. However, on a very posi- tive note to address the missing long term warranty issue, a major burner manufacture is now adding a 5-year program on every part attached to their burner. The missing labor allowance will always be an issue, but I have heard that in some special circumstances there have been some labor concessions. Remember the old saying, that a half a piece of pie is better than none! In closing out 2015 and moving into 2016, may you all have a happy, healthy and successful New Year! Some Thoughts as We Begin 2016