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Volume 4-10

                                         

In This Issue
DOE prices
Sokolis Fuel Blog
Dear Sokolis
Vendor of the Month
Did You See Us In the News
Testimonial
Water in My Fuel Tank

Greetings!   

Let's talk about Project Earth and the Sokolis Group.

 

The Sokolis Group is a fuel management and consulting company with a staff of 7 professionals located in Warrington, PA. As a company we work with small and large companies nationally to help them with their fleet fuel buying, managing, auditing and process their fuel information better. Over the last year when fuel prices rose, we helped companies reduce their carbon footprint and how much fuel they consumed. These methods included:

 

  • Having them govern the top speed of their trucks
  • Truck engine shut down when loading and unloading to reduce idle time
  • Improving driver behavior
  • Better maintenance on trucks including tire pressure

While helping other companies reduce their carbon footprint, we realized that we didn't do a very good job ourselves.  As Earth Day approaches here are some of the things we have done over the last 2 years.

 

Our steps have been:

 

  • Energy Star office equipment
  • Hybrid American company car
  • Image storage on computer instead of printing
  • Printing on both sides of the 100% recycled paper when possible
  • Recycling paper, plastic, and cans in an office park which do not offer such services
  • Low flow toilets
  • Computer screen system shut downs
  • Energy efficient light bulbs, zoned lighting and temperature set at 78 in the summer months, 66 during the winter
  • Plants in all offices to provide oxygen and take away the carbons from office equipments, inks, and toners
  • Purchased carbon credits to offset what a typical office creates in carbon for a year at www.carbonfund.org
  • Electronic invoicing and receiving all of our bills electronically

As a company, we are not sure how it might separate us from our direct competition. In a world were everyone's business is cross compared to other industries, we feel we out distance ourselves with what we have done and continue to do everyday.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. 

 

Regards,

turkey 

Glen Sokolis 
President
  
  
If you have an idea or topic you would like to see discussed here or if you would like to contribute an article for future issues, please e-mail me at gsokolis@sokolisgroup.com.
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DOE  Prices
as of April 5th, 2010
 
 
US = $ 3.015
 
EastCst = $ 3.032 
 
NewEng = $ 3.054
 
CenAtl = $ 3.136 
 
LwrAtl = $ 2.986
 
Midwst = $ 2.989 
 
GulfCst = $ 2.978
 
RkyMt = $ 3.044 
 
WCst = $ 3.113
 
CA = $ 3.147
 
www.sokolisgroup.com 
 
Please visit our blog
 
Sokolis Group in the News
 
Your company can help lead the country in Environmental Stewardship with these 3 Golden Rules.
      -Recycle
      -Reuse
      -Reduce 
 
 
CarbonFund.org
 Reduce what you can. 
 Offset what you can't.
 
carbonfund.org
 
NPTC
 
www.nptc.org
 
 
Visit us at booth #145 at the Annual Conference
April 18-20
 Cincinnati, Ohio
Quote
 
 
In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.
Warren Buffett
 
Vendor of the Month
 In celebration of Earth Day

turkey

360Fuelcard will give you the choice of what fleet fuel card is best for you.  360Fuelcard helps your company Go Green with every fuel purchase. We are a company that cares about the impact CO2 from our vehicles has on our environment. We have partnered with Carbonfund.org and will contribute a percentage of each revenue dollar in helping to support 3rd party verified renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects that
fight global warming. www.360fuelcard.com
Efficient Backhauls, now that helps being Green.
We deal with several dozens of companies.  One issue a lot of our clients and even people who aren't our clients, tell us if they could only get more backhauls it would really help their operation.  We decided we would like to help our clients improve their business and the business of being GREEN, so we are going to start to play match maker.  If you have an interest, please send an email to gsokolis@sokolisgroup.com.  If you're not a client and would like to talk about this opportunity, please also email.
Be Worried About
Fleet Fuel Cost For This Year
 
Here are the facts why you should be concern and want to take action:
 
Today ( April 5) Oil is trading at a 18 month high over $85 a barrel
 
 
Refinery utilization is at 80% compared to 2008 when it was at 90% and diesel fuel was $4.76   
March 2009 to March 2010 diesel fuel prices increased 96 cents   
 
Experts are predicting 18 named storms during hurricane season this year   
 
OPEC just met and showed no signs of increasing production    
 
Oil is traded on the NYMEX in U.S. Dollar, the dollar is not in a strong position and looks to get weaker as we borrow more money to fund health care and other projects, this means it cheaper for other country's to buy oil     
 
Speculators like to trade hard when the U.S. Dollar is week as a natural hedge against inflation, this happened in 2008, when oil prices went to $147 a barrel   
 
China
's just reported April 1 that their economy is growing it's fastest since 2004.  They will need more oil to handle that demand   
 
Over the last year according to the DOE, 2 refineries have shut down and several smaller plants have been idled, it would take a period of time to bring them back up    
 
Morgan Stanley projects close to $100 a barrel by the end of the year    
 
U.S.
economy is recovering which will increase demand for diesel fuel 
 
Fuel prices are going up
.  Does your company really want to be playing defense like you did in 2008? Without experts in fuel management & fuel cost reductions on your side that is what will happen?  Be forward thinking, be progressive, get your companies fuel program straight now.  gsokolis@sokolisgroup.com
 Did You See Us In The News!
 
 Interstate Distributor Co. (IDC) Extends Fuel Management Agreement with Sokolis Group
 

Interstate Distributor Co. announced today that it has extended its fuel management partnership with Sokolis Group to include fuel consulting services and fuel management services for Interstate's over-the-road and bulk fuel purchasing programs. As part of its expanded service to Interstate, Sokolis Group has incorporated the 360FuelCard, provided by Comdata, into the fuel management program to support Interstate's fuel transaction processing.

 

"We are pleased to have Interstate's confidence in our fuel management and fuel consulting programs," said Glen Sokolis, president of Sokolis Group. "Interstate is one of the country's top over-the-road truckload carriers with more than 2,000 trucks, so fuel management is extremely important to their success, especially in these difficult economic times."

 

"Sokolis Group is a seamless extension of Interstate's fuel procurement and fuel management program, with demonstrated knowledge and experience supporting the transportation industry," said Jim Tener, chief financial officer for Interstate. "They simply improve our bottom line."

 

While improving operations was an essential aspect of the partnership, Interstate also wanted to demonstrate that it cares about how their company does business in today's world. Interstate's eco-friendly focus allowed the Sokolis Group to identify the 360FuelCard as an ideal product for their fuel purchasing efforts. Comdata offers the card in an alliance with 360FuelCard.com, a company that works with Carbonfund.org to donate a portion of revenues to help offset the environmental impact of fuel used.

 

"Aggressive and effective management of the fuel purchasing supply chain is a critical component of our operations," said Jim Tener. "By working with Sokolis Group, we learned of the 360FuelCard.com program through Comdata. Interstate now has a program that is saving us money while showing our commitment to doing something about the environmental impact all companies have."

 

"Comdata's alliance with 360FuelCard.com represents a new approach to environmental fleet card products," said Steve Marshall, vice president of national accounts for Comdata. "Adopting this new way of managing their fleet operations will allow Interstate not only to reduce cost, but also to have a more positive impact on the environment."

 

"Our relationship with both Sokolis Group and Comdata has opened 360FuelCard.com up to companies such as Interstate," said Steve Fowler, vice president of business development for 360FuelCard.com. "With Comdata's superior platform, we are bringing awareness and helping companies do something about their environmental footprint. While using fuel is a reality in today's world, we help companies show they care about the world around them."

 

About Sokolis Group

Sokolis Group is a nationwide outsourced fuel management and fuel consulting company dedicated to providing its fuel clients with lower diesel fuel and gas prices for their fleet. Its staff of fuel experts use the resources needed to survey the fuel market, negotiate fuel pricing, analyze fueling-practices, develop money-saving fueling strategies and deliver comprehensive fuel management programs that improve its clients bottom line. More information on Sokolis Group fuel management and fuel consulting services can be found at www.SokolisGroup.com or (267) 482-6155.

 

About Interstate Distributor Company

Headquartered in Tacoma, WA, Interstate Distributor Co. is a leader in the transportation industry. With terminal and yard facilities located in all major markets throughout the United States, Western Canada and the Mexican border, IDC has grown to establish a national presence in the transportation industry. www.intd.com

 

About Comdata Corporation

Comdata Corporation is a leading business-to-business provider of innovative electronic payment solutions. As an issuer and a processor, the company enables more than $23 billion in fleet card, credit card, pay card and virtual card transactions annually. Over 1.8 million Comdata cards are issued annually, and active cards at any given time total approximately 1.5 million. With state-of-the-art technology and redundancy, Comdata captures and reports detailed transaction data, empowering its customers to analyze their spending patterns in order to gain unprecedented control of their expenses. Other Comdata solutions include truck stop point-of-sale (POS) systems, regulatory compliance programs, and receivables financing options. Comdata provides solutions to over 25,000 customers in four primary industries: fleet, aviation, construction and retail/hospitality. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee with more than 1,000 employees in the United States and Canada, Comdata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ceridian Corporation. www.comdata.com

 

About Ceridian

Ceridian is a global business services organization that offers a comprehensive range of innovative solutions. From human resources and benefits to accredited employee assistance, work-life and health and productivity services, Ceridian helps organizations maximize their human, financial and technology resources. As a leader in payroll outsourcing, gift cards and controlled spending, Ceridian is also a driving force in payment innovation. Whether partnering to improve employee productivity, save money or minimize financial risks, Ceridian's business is to help organizations stay focused on their business. www.ceridian.com

 

About 360FuelCard.com

360 Fuelcard.com offers a new direction in the way companies manage their daily fuel purchases. Our programs are the most secure and cost effective means for a company to purchase fuel and service for their vehicles. The company was founded by veterans of the fleet card industry who have over 60 years of combined experience understanding the needs of the merchants who accept our cards and the fleets that come to their sites.

 

We believe that companies that sell or purchase fuel as part of their daily operations also want to do their part in helping our environment. 360Fuelcard has teamed with Carbonfund.org to offer an easy way for all environmentally conscious companies to make a difference. 360Fuelcard donates 10% of profits from the use of our programs to help build a cleaner earth. www.360Fuelcard.com or 877-360-FUEL (3835)

Testimonial

"Sokolis Group has done a wonderful job for our company.  Their knowledge of the fuel supply chain is unmatched.  They have been able to help us save a lot of money in our fuel procurement and improved our vendor services.  I would recommend them to any fleet that does not have a full time fuel manager or who needs additional help on fuel related projects." 

Charles Stevenson
Fleet Manager
Aqua America

 

April showers brings May flowers but you might already have water in your fuel tank!

Spring is in the air.....and there is water in my fuel tank!

This happens more than just in the spring time.  You may have an above ground fuel tank or the saddle tanks on your truck may sit in the sun all day long.  On your saddle tanks you have warm fuel running back through them, then what happens? At night time it gets cool and causes a little bit of a rain forest in your fuel tank.

The approach of spring seems to bring this problem of issues with water/moisture in fuel storage tanks the most. If your winter fuel supplier used an alcohol based winter additive (we hope they didn't) or a demulsifier to remove water from your diesel fuel the question you have to answer is, "Where did the water go?"

Well all of that water is now sitting on the bottom of your tank. So what are you going to do about it? You need to get that water out of your fleet fuel.

You have a couple of ways to take care of it.  It is smart just to have good housekeeping anytime you are talking about fleet fuel or gas.  A little extra effort put in on the front end saves you a lot of time and expense on the back end.

Option 1: Pump off the water. The best option but if you don't have enough water to pump off what are you going to do? How much is the cost to pump off the water and dispose of it?

Option 2: Forget about it. This could be very costly in the long run. ULSD has no natural biocide and eventually you will have an algae/fungus/mold outbreak that will stop your equipment or stop you customers, giving you a reputation for having "bad" fuel. The long term effects are tank corrosion and then tank replacement.

Option 3: Treat your tanks with a "drying" agent. Economical and can rid storage tanks of excessive water buildup with multiple treatments.

What type of drying agent to use? The use of an emulsifying agent will allow the water to move into suspension in the fuel and pass through the combustion process.

ULSD has more moisture than diesel fuels of old. Tank maintenance is now more important than ever. Tank maintenance is not just bulk storage either, equipment that sits for long periods can have the same issues of tank corrosion and "bugs".

The proactive approach of using a year-round fuel additive program can consist of two very effective programs:

Program 1: Early Spring-treat all tanks with a drying agent to remove moisture accumulation from the winter season. Follow up this treatment in late spring with a maintenance dose of an algaecide to prevent algae/mold/fungus growth as temps begin to rise. Follow up an additional drying agent treatment in late summer/early fall to remove excess water prior to cold weather to help fuel performance as temperature drop.

Program 2: Begin treating/using a premium package from your fuel supplier or purchase one yourself and treat your fuel year round. Some premium diesel packages have been shown to reduce emissions by as much as 45%, provide lubricity to critical fuel components for longer life, lower soot contamination in oil, and provide fuel economy increases all while helping to manage moisture in your tanks from bulk storage to individual units.

Like with most programs, you want to talk to someone who understands what you are trying to accomplish.  Be careful, not all fuel additives are the same; you don't want to be buying something that is snake oil.  If you deal with a professional fuel additive person or fuel consultant, you should get what you are looking for at a good price. Drive safe.

If you need help with this kind of fleet fuel program, we are happy to help.  Since we leverage our buying for fuel and fuel additive we can probably get you a pretty good rate.  lhermann@sokolisgroup.com