SOURCE | Spring 2022 23
Refined Fuel Storage under construction in Laurel , Delaware .
Operations Manager Mark Adkins , Dagsboro , Delaware .
“ I couldn ’ t do anything here without our whole group , especially Carolyn ( French ) and Dora ( Smith ),” adds Reilly .
With a renewed focus on the “ front door ” of the business , both locations expect to add many new customers in the next year .
The GROWMARK FS Advantage = New Residential & Commercial Customer Opportunities
There are fewer service and repair provider options for people in the Delmarva area than other GROWMARK member company regions . This is mainly due to the acquisitions of small LP businesses by larger national companies in recent years . In this void , GROWMARK FS has excelled by retaining qualified techs capable of both repair and clean installation work . This has attracted displaced customers and built positive brand recognition , with 60 percent of new business coming from the competitions ’ former customers . This commitment has built the overall value realized by customers working with GROWMARK FS .
“ We don ’ t want to be the lowest priced provider ,” says Schatz . “ We want to be the company that delivers excellent service 100 percent of the time .”
The value proposition includes a dedication to timely and quality service , plus competitive installation , and product pricing , all coupled with a friendly approach and dependability .
Ambitious New Construction Expected to Pay Fast Dividends
Under construction in Winter of 2022 is a new refined fuel storage field in
Laurel , Delaware . The bulk storage space is expected to be complete in May and significantly increase not only storage capacity , but also efficiency .
Located adjacent to the GROWMARK FS Laurel Agronomy plant , the project was designed to share space between both sector operations . By leveraging the same dike system surrounding the Ag chemical storage and tapping into the existing electrical infrastructure , significant savings have been realized on the project . Upon opening , the new plant is projected to save $ 0.07 to $ 0.12 per unit of fuel .
This enhanced storage will also support a more centralized location for operations . Currently , there are a limited number of strategic bulk storage locations in the Delmarva area , which has restricted the ability to tap into some of the target rich pockets of bulk diesel opportunities that exist beyond the current market territory .
“ Having our own storage will also allow us to contract products in advance , which should translate to additional margins in most cases ,” adds Schatz .
Dagsboro , Delaware Leads with Experience and Innovation
Market Operations Manager Mark Adkins , with his 31 years of experience in the Delaware energy market , has been instrumental to the growth and success of the location . His contacts are plentiful , and many of the former Southern States employees have followed him to GROWMARK FS .
The location is busy year-round with diesel sales and service . The market for this location is primarily fleet trucking , such as landscaping dump trucks using clear diesel . Customers can access full service here , and premium diesel fuel packages to help lower maintenance costs and boost fuel efficiency . Over 500,000 gallons of clear diesel , plus 200,000 gallons in dyed diesel , flow to customers from Dagsboro each year , and the volume is on track to reach one million gallons .
To grow capacity , plans are underway for additional tanks for each type of fuel . Propane sales add another 30,000 gallons in volume . The location has experienced tremendous growth in just 15 months of ambitious planning .
Developing Opportunity with New Tank Rental Program
One sector of the market fueling new regional business is the landmark tank rental program . Designed for large companies with multiple diesel-powered trucks , GROWMARK FS provides an onsite tank at no charge , and fuel service to fill it . Drivers can fuel up before leaving the yard , eliminating time wasted at filling stations and avoiding retail fuel prices .
The program provides a unique service not previously available to the region .
“ We didn ’ t compete for this business , we created it ,” says Schatz .
In a sample business model for a dump truck operator with five Triaxles , using 60 - 70,000 gallons per year , an on-site tank program can save an estimated $ 14,000 in lost time each year . Plus , the customer pays less than retail pump prices , and the equipment is provided at no charge to