Posts Tagged ‘Sokoils Group’
By Lisa Hermann - January 13th, 2010
In case you don’t fuel up with diesel fuel, let me tell you the surge in the less-refined fuel’s prices have nearly mirrored gasoline’s recent rise. In just the last month, prices have jumped by more than 14%, to average $2.61 per gallon.
Even scarier, prices have risen while diesel fuel demand has dropped. The country is calling for 17% less diesel fuel, yet the markets continue to add to the price.
Soaring prices would not be so bad if demand was rising and companies could make up the hit to their margins, but demand is far from what it was just a year ago. In fact, according to the American Trucking Association, trucking demand has dropped by about 13% from this time last year.
Rising costs and less revenues is a textbook recipe for disaster. So team up with Sokolis Group and lets work together for a great 2010!!
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Tags: diesel fuel, Sokoils Group
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By Lisa Hermann - January 4th, 2010
When the weather outside is frightful, it’s important that drivers make sure their vehicles are prepared for wintery weather conditions. Snow and ice can turn a normally safe road into a slippery hazard. According to the United States Department of Commerce, “70 percent of the fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.” Sokolis Group recommends a few vehicle maintenance and safe driving tips to help families stay safer on the road this winter holiday season.
Although it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together, winter weather often magnifies existing vehicle problems. It’s important to visit an automotive service provider to make sure a vehicle’s engine, battery, cooling and exhaust systems are in tip-top shape before the winter months.
If outside the snow is falling, drivers should check their tire inflation pressure and tread depth. A tire may lose one pound per square inch (psi) for every 10ºF temperature drop. Try to check your tire air pressure weekly. If a driver lives in a snowy area, he or she may want to consider buying a set of dedicated winter tires. Winter tires are designed to improve a vehicle’s stability and handling in adverse driving conditions.
When in the lane, snow is glistening, drivers should slow down to improve vehicle traction and be prepared for longer stopping distances. Abrupt braking, accelerating and turning can cause the driver to lose control of his or her vehicle. If a car or truck begins to skid, a driver should avoid slamming on the brakes; instead, he or she should gently take his or her foot off the accelerator and try to regain traction.
If over the river and through the woods, a vehicle gets stuck in the snow, kitty litter, sand, an asphalt shingle or gravel placed under the tires can help regain traction. Drivers should not spin their tires. This could cause the tires to overheat and cause damage.
Driving in a winter wonderland can be dangerous, but reviewing these simple vehicle maintenance and safe driving tips can help enhance your holiday season.
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Tags: Sokoils Group
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By Lisa Hermann - December 31st, 2009
Given the recent economic turmoil and fragile recovery, the old adage “time is money” has never been more relevant. In the context of the energy business, time is directly related to the rate of change. And, more importantly, an organization’s ability to either proactively address that change or risk competitive disadvantage through delayed reaction. As it relates to customers served by Sokolis Group, the rate of change continues to accelerate. We are seeing greater fuel price volatility, stricter environmental regulations, and increase in fleet fuel price changes year-over-year. So the question I encourage you to ask is whether your business, at a minimum, is prepared to adequately comply with the changing rules, rates and laws within the mandated timeframes, and then, to what degree is your business better instrumented to capitalize on change compared to peers.
At Sokolis Group, we strive every day to ensure our customers are being charged the correct rate, taxes and environmental regulations and capitalize on price changes by optimizing their fuel supply chain. Sokolis Group will put discount fuel deals in place with your fleet fuel vendors to help save on your fuel management program. We’re firm believers that the ability to accept change and harness it to your benefit can separate you from your competitors. So start your New Year off right with Sokolis Group on your team and let us help you save in 2010. For more information on how Sokolis Group and you can team up together, link to www.sokolisgroup.com. Contact us today for more information. Your 2010 fleet fuel budget will like you for it
Tags: fleet fuel, Fuel Management, Sokoils Group
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By Kelly Quigley - December 29th, 2009
With head splitting speeds the price for oil this past year has gone from $33 a barrel in early January of 2009 to tipping the $78 mark these few days. Having such a fluctuation in fuel can make any fuel management team dizzy. Many factors had contributed to the ups and downs of the fleet fuel world and a main one was the crude oil inventories. Crude oil saw a minimal decrease in September, while the rest of the year saw supplies increase to 375.83 million barrels at one point.
A few contributing factors to an over abundance of supply included less traveling, low demand from consumers, online shopping and high unemployment. Consumers put in place their own fuel management programs it seems. Online shopping replaced the trip to the fuel pump for many during this holiday season. There was less travel throughout the 2009 year and that includes plane and automobile traveling. According to AAA travel will decline 2.1% this year from last. Unemployment led to a decrease on the roads as well. Fuel management was on the minds of all as the economy struggled to recover. Inventories were in such a mass that the floating storage of crude oil that at the end of January 2009 approximately 80 million barrels were a float. Refineries have even slowed production to decrease the supply. Crude oil inventories are expected to drop as cold winter weather hits parts of the U.S. and as the unemployment rate drops, down to 10% in November, not great but it wasn’t an increase. This is a true example of a cohesive relationship. Consumers will still rely on oil and oil will rely on the demand of consumers, the obstacle is fuel management. How can the consumers rely comfortably on oil without breaking the bank? Sokolis Group will be on your side to always find the best fleet fuel card, fueling locations or fuel management program.
Tags: diesel fuel, fleet fuel, Fuel Management, Sokoils Group
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By Joan Gottlieb - December 21st, 2009
Just this week I happily mailed to my client a $797 refund check obtained from their fleet fuel supplier. Last month, I happily mailed to the same client another refund check in the amount of $615 from the same fleet fuel supplier. Both refunds were the result of daily fuel audits that caught fuel pricing errors.
Not only is my client happy with his managed fuel program provided by Sokolis Group, they are even more gratefuel to know that Sokolis Group is always working to ensure fleet fuel savings. Tis the season to have great fuel management.
Tags: fleet fuel, fleet fueling, Sokoils Group
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By Kelly Quigley - December 17th, 2009
“Get your oil changed every 3000 miles” I can hear that clear as day from my late teens, it was my dad, drilling the most basic car maintenance and fuel management routine that a non fuel consulting expert can do. Right? Little did I know there was a lot more I could’ve done and still be doing to expand my fuel mileage out of my midsize SUV, and with prices these days it’ll feel like I have a fuel consulting expert in the passenger seat.
Aside from the basic oil change, the way someone drives can affect the mileage they get out of the car, for example staying below 60mph and not being aggressive will increase your mileage and fuel savings. When you do get that oil change be sure to have the tire pressure checked and the filter changed if necessary, not only does that extend your fuel use but it’s a safety issue to keep up with. Fuel prices are not necessarily our friend so it’s a good thing to try to get a little fuel planning on the brain while you can. Another simple way to help increase your fuel mileage is to reduce the weight of your vehicle. Take off that roof rack if you are not using it, get books (hello college students) and any clutter that will weigh your car down and force it to push harder using your gas. I recently and unknowingly drove around this past week with our metal Christmas tree stand in my trunk, here I though my husband had taken it out of my car immediately, tough luck for me, at least it wasn’t a months worth of hauling that extra baggage.
If those simple ways can increase your home fuel management system, imagine what Sokolis Group can do to improve your fleet fueling needs. From fleet fueling cards, to free audits and transaction analysis Sokolis Group will do what it takes to make sure clients get all the fuel discounts and fuel management guidance to create a customized fuel planning system just right for everyone.
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Tags: fuel consulting, Fuel Management, fuel planning, Sokoils Group
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By Glen Sokolis - December 15th, 2009
Ok, not exactly but let me tell you a story. The other day this fuel consultant was asked to be Santa Claus for a family reunion. Without thinking much about that day, I said sure, why not. I thought quickly in my head, I never played Santa Claus and playing in front of 20 kids under the age of 14 years old sounds like fuel, I mean fun. Fleet fuel and fun, you readers know I sometimes get the two confused. Anyway, as the day came closer, I started to think ‘what bigger role could you play but good old Saint Nick’. As one of the leading national fuel consulting companies in the country, I am asked a lot to guest speak and every time it is an honor and pleasure, please keep asking. I reflected, yes talking fleet fueling, fuel management and fleet fuel card planning to hundreds of people is rewarding and hopefully for them educational. What about being Santa and listening to all of their hopes, dreams and things they want. A few wrong words and you could really mess with a kids mind while playing Santa. Maybe I over thought the idea or maybe not (probably over thought it because well that’s Glen Sokolis), I guess we won’t know. As I put the red suit on it was exciting. Not the kind of excitement I get when Sokolis Group signs a new fuel management client but a different kind of excitement.
Pleasure, pure pleasure is how I would descript my Santa time. Kids hugging this fuel consultant nut, not knowing Santa does fuel management during the day and plays this red and white costume gig once in a lifetime. I can’t tell you all of the things kids asked for because that would be against the Santa Clause in sharing private information. I can tell you in was a very good time and when I left the room, I could have sworn I heard a reindeer say, “Good job fuel consultant Santa, I will glide you fuel planning anytime!”
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Tags: fleet fuel, Fuel Management, fuel planning, Sokoils Group
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By Conor Proud - December 14th, 2009
When December comes around it’s all about holiday cheer for most people, and even here at Sokolis Group we spread the joy. Green is our favorite color. Whether it’s our company’s Ford Fusion Hybrid car, or putting up an artificial tree at our office and even homes, we like being green. The environment is important, and we try to be proactive in making it a priority to have a carbon free footprint.
Just by decreasing your speed to 55mph from 70mph you can increase your fuel efficiency by 23 percent, and with our Ford Fusion Hybrid our top salesman averages about 40 miles per gallon in city! That’s a great fuel management tip right there, free of cost! Instead of buying that Christmas tree every year and going through the stress and hassle of it, try a one time purchase of an artificial tree. Most fake trees look just as good as the real ones, without the cleanup, gas wasted to drive to pick it up each year, and issues that you have with a real tree. Just think if you didn’t buy and cut down a Christmas tree each year all the trees you would save throughout your lifetime! Wow, talking about lowering a carbon footprint. No, I am not a tree hugger (not that there is anything wrong with that) I just care about carbon offsetting today and a better tomorrow.
There are tons of other ways to be green such as recycling, energy saving light bulbs, and eliminating major use of harmful beauty and cleaning products, but we’re not environment experts here, we are fuel management and fuel consulting experts. We can give great fuel advice on being green when it comes to anything fleet fuel related, and we’ll leave the rest to the environmentalists. It’s a great way to save money and the environment, and everyone likes saving money especially us. We save fleet management people money on their fleet fuel purchases every day. If you think or have a feeling that you too could possibly be paying too much on your fleet fuel, then contact the Sokolis Group and start saving some green. Green is Good! How are You Fueling Today?
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Tags: fleet fuel, fuel consulting, Fuel Management, Sokoils Group
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By Lisa Hermann - December 10th, 2009
Tired of not having the time to check more into those fleet fuel invoices? Are you just signing off on them to get them off your desk? You really should be checking them twice! What about those fuel taxes that you are being charged on those fleet fuel invoices; are they correct? There are countless deferred and non-deferred fuel taxes in the U.S. that change based on where you purchased the fleet fuel, how you transported it, what type you purchased, and where it was delivered. So how are you reconciling your fuel supplier invoices to ensure they invoiced the correct taxes?
What I see in the industry are a lot of companies manually looking at a fuel invoice and guessing it is right, or their back office ‘reconciles’ the volume and prices but assumes taxes are correct. Assuming the supplier has discovered the secret to taxes can be dangerous and costly. You could be “tipping” your fuel supplier by 15% – on accident.
Best practice is to automatically audit supplier invoices through reconciliation to ensure the correct fuel taxes are on the invoice without having to pull out a calculator and manually figure it out. One way to do this is to hire Sokolis Group. Let us help you make sure you are getting the correct rates and audit your invoices for you monthly. We will check them twice not just this time of year but all year round. There are additional services provided as well when you have Sokolis Group on your side. Things like fuel management, fleet fuel programs, fuel panning, fuel consulting and so much more in Santa Sokolis bag. For more information go to www.sokolisgroup.com and contact us today!
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Tags: fleet fueling, fuel consulting, Fuel Management, Sokoils Group
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