OVERLAND PARK, Kan.,
March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With a
company motto of "First to serve, first to care," it's clear where
customers rank with Wright & Filippis. By converting several of
its delivery vehicles to clean-burning propane autogas, the company
is now demonstrating a strong commitment to environment in the
communities it serves.
Founded in Detroit, Michigan,
in 1944, Wright & Filippis is the nation's largest family-owned
provider of home medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics,
respiratory services, and medical supplies. Working with nationwide
propane provider Ferrellgas, the company recently introduced seven
Roush CleanTech liquid propane injected Ford E-350 cutaways into
its fleet.
According to Wright & Filippis' Tom
Hopkins, Department Head-Central Warehouse &
Distribution, the company could not be more pleased with the
performance of the propane autogas-powered vehicles.
"We had targeted 12 vehicles for conversion by the end of 2011,
and we are certainly on pace to accomplish that," Hopkins said. "We
are already having discussions about expanding our propane fleet
beyond the initial 12, and are exploring where it may make sense to
add propane-powered vehicles within our next distribution
model."
Hopkins said there are a number of factors that led Wright &
Filippis to make the jump to propane autogas. "I don't think there
is just one glaring reason," he said. "I think that when you look
at all of them, a case can be made for each alternative fuel. But,
when we considered the entire package, propane autogas just made
the most sense for our fleet. The cost of fuel is certainly a
factor, being 30 percent to 40 percent more cost-effective than
traditional automotive fuel. When you also look at the positive
environmental impact, the availability of propane, the fact that
our refueling infrastructure is on site, the vehicle performance,
and the positive effect propane autogas has on engine life, you
make a pretty easy case."
Propane is the most widely used alternative fuel today, powering
more than 15 million vehicles around the world. Operating costs
typically range from 5 percent to 30 percent less than those of a
gasoline-powered fleet, and, on average, create 20 percent less
nitrogen oxides, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide and fewer
particulate emissions, according to the Propane Education &
Research Council (PERC). Federal tax incentives are available
through 2011 for new alternative fuel vehicles, vehicles converted
to run on an alternative fuel, and alternative fuel infrastructure.
Many states also offer additional incentives.
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. is a Fortune 1000 company and, through
its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves approximately
one million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Ferrellgas employees indirectly
own more than 20 million common units of the partnership through an
employee stock ownership plan. More information about the company
can be found at www.ferrellgas.com and www.ferrellautogas.com.
Contact:
Scott Brockelmeyer, Media Relations,
913-661-1830
Tom Colvin, Investor Relations,
913-661-1530
SOURCE Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.