EDITOR'S NOTE
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editorial Office
EPG Media & Specialty Information
10405 6th Ave. N., Ste 210
Plymouth, MN 55441
Publisher
John Prusak
763/383-4402
jprusak@epgmediallc.com
Editor
Keith Reid
763/ 383-4406
kreid@epgmediallc.com
Editor-at-Large
Stephen Bennett
Columnists
Charles Bursey, Sr.
Shane Sweet
George Lanthier
List Rentals
Joanne Juda
jjuda-prainito@epgmediallc.com • 763/383-4401
Reprints
Robin Cooper
rcooper@epgmediallc.com
PRODUCTION
Production Manager – Karen Kalinyak
Associate Art Director – Andrea Schneider
ADVERTISING SALES
East – Dave Campbell, Associate Publisher
763/383-4457
dcampbell@epgmediallc.com
Central & South –
Rich Alden
763/383-4463
ralden@epgmediallc.com
Barbara Reynolds
763/383-4477
breynolds@epgmediallc.com
West – Ken Jordan
972/540-2122 Fax: 972/540-2127
kjordan@epgmediallc.com
MAIN OFFICE
EPG Media & Specialty Information
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Plymouth, MN 55441
CUSTOMER SERVICE
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Fuel Oil News
PO Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823
IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO BE THE EDITOR OF FUEL OIL NEWS since 2007. It
has been an honor to do my small part in maintaining a publication that has been suc-
cessfully serving the heating oil and, more broadly, the distributed fuel industry since
1935. I say "small part" because the magazine and those that came before me have been
so big. However, as the saying goes, I've received an "offer I can't refuse," and those of
you involved on the motor fuel side will likely become aware of that shortly. But enough
about that.
When I began editing FON my background had primarily been in motor fuels, and
though I was certainly familiar with the home heating oil sector of the industry I didn't
have any depth or nuance. What impressed me from the start, and continued to impress
me, was how dynamic heating oil dealers and marketers are in virtually all aspects of
their operations.
This is an industry that has adapted and overcome challenges that in many cases go
back to the days when a coal or ice delivery company had to make some tough choices
about a rapidly changing marketplace. Creativity and adaptability were further required
when natural gas pipelines started to snake throughout the country. In fact, the industry
has been so proactive and adaptable that even today, with the threat from natural gas
being greater than ever, the talk is not about "tough choices" so much, but about how to
maximize current opportunities and minimize the known liabilities.
I've met dealers in this industry that would be the epitome of a "mom-and-pop"
operation who took advantage of technology, creativity and thoughtful management
to solidify the future for the next generation. While some of their larger competitors
might enjoy economies of scale, these smaller marketers are not lagging behind where
efficiency and sophistication are concerned and are often taking advantage of acquisition
opportunities to make a more level playing field.
On the fuel front itself, the industry has remade its products to address competitive
challenges. Today's Bioheat blended fuel oil, for example, eliminates natural gas' claim to
being the environmentally clean fuel.
Where the adaptability I noted earlier is concerned, many dealers and marketers
in the industry have worked hard to diversify their operations. Some have moved into
propane, many have enhanced their HVAC operations and many have found numerous
ancillary opportunities to take advantage of the heating season business cycle or core
competencies. While some may fully transition from oil into one of these diversification
opportunities, by and large that is more of an option based on individual business met-
rics than some absolute requirement.
I could go on and on. But in a nutshell, this industry and its members have impressed
me in new ways with each issue of the magazine we have produced.
As for the magazine itself, it's been a pleasure to work with such a fine group of pro-
fessionals. From the editorial side, to sales to management I have both appreciated and
enjoyed being part of the FON family for the past nine years. I have absolutely no doubt
that this historic publication will continue to serve your needs moving forward with the
quality of information you deserve.
l F O N
Keith Reid
8 SEPTEMBER 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com
An honor and a pleasure