Extra Gas Exploring New Lpg Avenues

Equal Response has come a long way in its 17 years and is now one of the fastest growing independent lp gas suppliers in the UK.

Karl Cooper, Andrew Cooper and Paul Holt founded independent lpg gas provider Equal Response in Manchester 17 years ago. Karl and Andrew were following in their father’s footsteps – Eric Cooper founded Manchester Gas in 1981.

In 1992, Equal Response took on the national suppliers in its local area and over the next two years increased its cylinder lpg sales to around 1,750 tonnes per year. The company began small by delivering lp gas cylinders in just two vans, and the trio worked 15 hour days, seven days a week to create a presence in Greater Manchester.

In 2001, Equal Response, trading as Extra Gas, moved into the bulk lpg gas market. Karl Cooper, the company’s managing director, said: “With our wealth of knowledge and experience of the lpg industry, it was a natural progression for us to move into the distribution of bulk lp gas. We’re one of the fastest growing independents in the UK lpg gas market at the moment and we aim to continue our expansion into the bulk market. We want to bring a more transparent pricing structure to the industry and create a more competitive marketplace.

“Within twelve months, our first 7.5 tonne tanker was becoming alarming busy, so we placed an order with Tasca Tankers for two new 18 tonne Scanias. A year later, we ordered two more 18 tonnes and a 7.5 tonne tanker from Tasca Tankers. We also have a 24 tonne and an arctic due early next year from Lakeland Tankers.”

Karl admits to a secret passion for obtaining private number plates for the tankers. To date, he has collected REFIL, T9NKS, VE55ELS, TOPIIP, GA57ANK and M13 GAS.

In 2003, Equal Response bought Harris Gas in Northwich, adding the company’s filling plant and delivery fleet to its own. Five years ago, Harris Gas built new offices, reconstructed its filling plant and began to refurbish all the company’s lpg cylinders.

In April, Equal Response created Extra Fuels, a national web based brand that offers customers the facility to book lp gas deliveries online.

Karl said: “We’re always interested in exploring new avenues, hence the addition of a web based company. Extra Fuel is designed to meet the needs and demands of our customers who prefer the ease and flexibility of an online service. We are transparent with our lpg gas prices, displaying them online and giving customers valuable information on how prices and the market are moving.”

In 2007, Extra Gas invested in a new bulk storage facility at its premises in Trafford Park that includes two 25 tonne storage vessels and a dedicated tanker reloading site, which also allows the company to offer top up facilities at any time. Karl says the company’s goal is to reach sales of 12,000 tonnes by next April.

He said: “The introduction of the Competition Commission order has had a huge impact on our industry, making it easier for customers to change lpg suppliers to suit their needs. We are confident that we can offer them the best price in the market. We fully expect this development to stimulate growth in both our local and national business.”

Contact Extra Gas on 0161 789 0000 www.extragas.co.uk

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