Federated Co-ops News

Federated Co-op’s Mora propane office—and its delivery crews at Mora, Glen, and McGrath, MN—deliver liquefied gas to a variety of users.

On the northern end of this delivery chain, the Glen customers are a mix of retired residential users on the lakes and seasonal commercial users like restaurants and resorts. Thirty miles southeast of Glen, at McGrath, Federated delivers propane mostly to residences occupied all year round. Thirty miles south of McGrath, on Highway 65, the co-op’s Mora location serves both farmers and residents of this Twin Cities bedroom community.

At all three locations, Federated provides propane delivery, tank setting, leak testing, and light service work, such as converting natural gas appliances to burn propane. However, the priorities of the customers vary from location to location.

For retired residents, convenience is very important. “A lot of them moved to the lake from the Metro or from Duluth where they were served by natural gas,” says location manager Jim Gutzwiller.

“They didn’t have anything to watch other than making their monthly payments and they don’t want to wake up in the morning and find out by taking a cold shower that they’ve run out of propane.” If propane is their main source of heat, Federated’s scheduled delivery program is a perfect fit.

“It doesn’t cost them any extra to have our delivery people automatically show up with more gas when the tank reaches 20%,” says Jim. “It’s simple, and as long as they keep their account current, they don’t need to worry about a thing.”

For businesses like restaurants and resorts, which serve recreational customers like fishermen and snowmobilers, making sure LP gas is delivered promptly at a competitive price makes all the difference. Likewise, farmers use a lot of gas in the fall to dry their crops. “Having the manpower and product to take care of these high-demand customers in a timely manner is most important.”

What all customers appreciate
Whether seasonal or residential, there are certain aspects of Federated Co-ops propane supply program that keep customers coming back. “One thing all of our customers appreciate is that we do not charge them any hidden fees or delivery charges,” says Jim. “Our price per gallon is their only expense.”

Customers also appreciate the training and experience of Federated propane employees. “Many have been in the business for 10, 15, or even 30 years,” says Jim, noting that this says something about their satisfaction and eagerness to please.”

Federated Co-ops employees are local and very much involved in the communities where they work. “Our employees volunteer on the fair board, the school board, the township board, Pheasants Forever, and many other community organizations,” says Jim, noting that two of his employees, a man and a woman, are gun safety instructors in their communities.

“Price and service being equal,” states Jim, “people still buy from people they know and trust.” That’s Federated Co-op’s brand promise: “People who care. Products you trust. Value for life.”

Five years ago, Scott Laboe started selling Coolster ATVs out of his garage because he recognized their appeal to kids AND their parents. His own kids wanted an ATV, but he wasn’t about to pay the brand name prices, so he started looking around. “Parents don’t want to spend a lot of money on machines that their kids will outgrow,” he explains. That’s when Scott found Coolster, whose ATVs for kids are less than half the price of the brand names—but similar in quality. He liked the ATVs so well he decided to sell them.

Today, Scott is selling Coolster ATVs at Federated Co-ops’ Isanti Country Store, which has decided to handle the line. “We have ATVs for kids as young as 4 years old,” says Scott, “but we also have machines that will satisfy the adult market—up to 700cc UTVs and ATVs.”

Isanti also carries a full line of SSR dirt bikes. “The ATVs and dirt bikes start as low as $699,” says Scott, who notes that Coolster adult ATVs run around one-third the price of the nationally recognized brands.

“Coolster ATVs for kids are affordable fun,” states Scott. “It’s much better to give them something that gets them out in the fresh air, rather than playing video games.”

“We’re also handling parts and servicing these ATVs and dirt bikes,” adds Scott.

Interested in Coolster ATVs or SSR dirt bikes? Scott suggests you call and talk with him personally at 763-439-1417. Or stop by Federated Co-ops’ Isanti Country Store. “We’ve got a good selection of ATVs and dirt bikes on the show floor,” he states.
 

Coolster ATVs for kids

SSR Dirt Bikes

Coolster UTVs and ATVs for dad and mom

By Mark Grave, Propane Division Manager
mgrave@federatedcoops.com, 218-273-4850

Americans did an about-face last year. Excess spending took a back seat to conservative spending and wise use of limited resources. We’re looking to save wherever possible—including heating costs. Federated Co-ops, Inc. offers programs to help you stay within budget and weather volatile energy markets.

Our Propane Budget Program and our Propane Pre-Buy Program saved Federated propane customers thousands of dollars last year, and we’re offering these two programs again for the 2010-2011 season.

Budget Program
Chop big gas bills down to size. Spread next season’s estimated propane bill over 11 equal monthly payments, qualify for scheduled delivery so you never have to worry about running out of gas, and guard against price spikes. Sign up for our Budget Program and we’ll throw in a price cap that saved Federated Co-ops customers over $61,000 last season.

Pre-Buy Program
Avoid in-season market spikes by pre-buying your 2010-2011 gas at a fixed price you can live with. Buy once or multiple times, whenever you feel the markets are in your favor. Take delivery of your gas any time between August 1, 2010 and April 15, 2011. Federated Co-ops pre-buy customers realized savings of over $1.3 million last season.