The Broco Energy® Emergency Response team has been called upon and activated for deployment down to Florida and the Carolinas ahead of this dangerous Category 4 Hurricane to provide emergency fuel support to the relief efforts. With Hurricane Dorian moving passed Florida, was reassigned to South Carolina and North Carolina to fuel up generators and emergency vehicles. The hurricane’s path is unknown, but our team is in position and working hard to take all preventative measures as we await the impact of the storm.
Emergency Response Team reassigned to South Carolina & North Carolina:
Emergency Response Team continuing to work hard topping off generators and emergency vehicles ahead of the Hurricane:
The Broco Energy® Emergency Response team has been called upon and activated for deployment down to Florida and the Carolinas ahead of this dangerous Category 4 Hurricane to provide emergency fuel support to the relief efforts. With Hurricane Dorian moving passed Florida, was reassigned to South Carolina and North Carolina to fuel up generators and emergency vehicles. The hurricane’s path is unknown, but our team is in position and working hard to take all preventative measures as we await the impact of the storm.
Emergency Response Team reassigned to South Carolina & North Carolina:
Emergency Response Team continuing to work hard topping off generators and emergency vehicles ahead of the Hurricane:
For more updates, please visit our Facebook Page!
Upgrades to Haverhill, MA facility will bring biodiesel-blending hub to the Northeast
AMES, Iowa (May 6, 2019) —Renewable Energy Group (REG) and Broco Energy® Company announced today a partnership to provide cleaner fuel options to heating oil dealers in the Northeast. The companies are working together to provide a state-of-the-art blending facility in Haverhill, MA.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a biofuels producer like REG to continue to grow our business,” said Robert Brown, owner of Broco Energy® Company. “We believe in the environmental and economic value that blending biodiesel brings to our business and our customers and we are passionate about providing a clean and sustainable fuel option.”
The partnership between REG and Broco is an agreement to provide Bioheat®* from the Haverhill location. Terminal upgrades will include rail improvements as well as infrastructure to allow for blending opportunities at the loading rack. The product at this location will be distilled biodiesel shipped from one of REG’s production facilities. REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC is a qualified supplier and wholesaler as part of the Massachusetts’ Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS).
“The partnership between REG and Broco is a great opportunity for both businesses to deliver a high-quality, cleaner fuel solution to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Barry Knox, Director of Blended Fuels for REG. “This partnership is aligned with our business goal of delivering blended fuel options to our valued customers.”
If interested in purchasing blended fuel or learning more about distilled biodiesel, please contact REG representatives Jeff Murdy, 603-498-8762, jeff.murdy@regi.com, or Marc MacLean, 603-812-1248, marc.maclean@regi.com.
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*Bioheat® is a licensed trademark of the National Biodiesel Board, used with permission.
About Renewable Energy Group
Renewable Energy Group, Inc., (Nasdaq: REGI) is leading the energy industry’s transition to sustainability by transforming renewable resources into high-quality, cleaner fuels. REG is an international producer of cleaner fuels and North America’s largest producer of biodiesel. REG solutions are alternatives for petroleum diesel and produce significantly lower carbon emissions. REG utilizes an integrated procurement, distribution and logistics network to operate 14 biorefineries in the U.S. and Europe. In 2018, REG produced 502 million gallons of cleaner fuel delivering over 4 million metric tons of carbon reduction. REG is meeting the growing global demand for lower-carbon fuels and leading the way to a more sustainable future.
About Broco Energy®
Broco Energy®, Inc. is a Certified Veteran Owned, DBE, Massachusetts-based distributor of petroleum products, lubricants, and propane for commercial, industrial, marine, and residential applications. Established in 2007 by Robert, a U.S. Navy Seabee veteran, and Angela Brown, Broco currently has an active customer base of 15,000 commercial and residential accounts in the Greater Boston area, with specialty emergency and disaster relief services throughout New England and along the East Coast. Their Haverhill, MA headquarters offer two rail-served terminals capable of trans-loading petroleum, steel, and various other bulk liquids and dry goods. Broco Energy® is the proud recipient of the 2019 SBA Veteran Owner Business of the Year.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding the REG’s future growth and value creation. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change, and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: potential changes in governmental programs and policies requiring or encouraging the use of biofuels, including RFS2; availability of federal and state governmental tax incentives; unanticipated changes in the biomass-based diesel market; competition in the markets in which we operate; technological advances or new methods of production or the development of energy alternatives to biomass-based diesel; our ability to generate revenue from the sale of fuels on a commercial scale and at a competitive cost, and customer acceptance of the products produced; unanticipated construction constraints; and other risks and uncertainties described in REG’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and other reports subsequently filed with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and REG does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements based on new developments or changes in our expectations.
BOSTON – The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Broco Energy® the 2019 Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year for Massachusetts.
Broco Energy® earned the recognition for successfully expanding as a government contractor with designations as a SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise). Broco Energy® sells and distributes petroleum products to an active clientele of over 15,000 commercial and residential accounts in the Greater Boston area.
“As a U.S. Navy Seabee veteran, Mr. Brown gained an understanding of the unique constraints involved with emergency response and large constructions jobs, “said SBA Massachusetts District Director, Robert Nelson. “We congratulate Mr. Brown for taking his military experience and turning it into a successful business that is supporting other veterans and the local community.”
Brown started Broco Energy® in 2007 with a $25,000 SBA loan he used to purchase an old fuel truck for $7,000, renting a parking space for $100 monthly. Banks would not approve him while he was just starting out as a young entrepreneur and he had no collateral to secure a loan. Today, Broco Energy® has a fleet of over 35 trucks, 50 employees and 4 commercial locations.
“The SBA not only provided me the $25,000 small business loan to get Broco Energy® started in 2007, but also provided me resources to assist in state and federal government contracting opportunities.” said President and CEO, Bob Brown. “I am beyond grateful and humbled to be named “Veteran Owned Business of the Year” by the SBA. It’s an honor to be recognized among the other amazing Veteran Owned businesses throughout the Commonwealth.”
Brown began receiving counseling from Len Green at the Procurement Technical Assistance Center to prepare his business to handle the capacity required of government contractors.
In 2017 a major event occurred – Broco Energy® was called upon by a FEMA prime contractor to assist in the national emergency response of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Without hesitation, Brown deployed his disaster response team to assist with the situation, earning his company recognition as a qualified small business applicant. One month later after submitting his first federal contract bid, Brown received notification that Broco Energy® had been awarded a significant contract with the Department of Defense for ground fuels in the New England and Tri State area.
This year, Brown is also breaking ground on a new rail-served, bio-diesel facility that intends to significantly lower the carbon footprint for local oil heat consumers. As a result, two old railroad switches in Haverhill which had been dormant for over 50 years were also reactivated; providing a new opportunity for many local small businesses to cut down on emissions and freight costs. This has opened up new business activities within an SBA HUBZone, spurring new economic development activity in the Haverhill area.
Brown is member of NEFI, MEMA, and the North Shore Oil Heat Association. Brown also enjoys mentoring other veterans and working as a Fire Captain at his local firehouse.
The company was nominated by Peter Cokotis, Program Manager for UMass Isenberg School of Management/MSBDC.
Robert J. Brown will be honored at the annual SCORE Boston / SBA awards luncheon along with other 2019 Massachusetts Small Business Week winners at Assumption College on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
These days it feels like all businesses are the same. You can never directly reach the person to whom you’d like to speak, and there is always someone else doing the work for them. It almost seems impossible to figure out who is actually behind the operation. Come see the difference with Broco Energy®.
Many of you have inquired as to whether we do our own work or sub it out. The Broco family works together to provide you with the best service possible. We have our own in-house service division, and work alongside our own family members at SM Brown. Every day we work shoulder to shoulder in the same building. We split our territory right down the middle so that the technicians at Broco Energy® and at SM Brown can better reach our customers. Our technicians are interchangeable; you’re getting the same quality service no matter who shows up at your door. It’s just a matter of efficiency. We want the closest technician to respond to your call and give you fast, reliable service.
You already know how important family is to us. All of our technicians share the same core values; caring for our family, and for yours. This bonds us together and helps us keep our priorities straight. It is all too easy for businesses to lose sight of the more important things and sacrifice quality for bigger business. Not us.
We offer all the services you may need for heating your home. Our annual burner cleaning service keeps your system well maintained and up to date so there are no troubles when the winter season rolls around. Of course, living in New England always comes with surprises. So our emergency service is at your beck and call. All of our technicians are fully licensed and trained so there’s never anything to worry about.
Broco Energy® is a company you can count on, day in and day out. As our business grows, we make sure that our values grow in conjunction with it. We’ll never lose sight of our customers as individuals and take the time to make sure each one is accounted and cared for. Stick with us, and we’ll stick together!
Broco Energy® & Columbia Gas: Still Working Hard & Working Together in Lawrence
For the citizens of Lawrence, the long road to recovery isn’t over yet. At Broco, we aren’t just your oil suppliers, we are your friends and family. When others have gone back to their normal routine, and the camera crews have stopped rolling, we are making sure that our customers, and the families affected by the Columbia Gas incident, are taken care of until the end.
During Thanksgiving, 16 Broco Energy® trucks worked round the clock to keep generators up and running. Over 500 generators were serviced 24/7 by Broco Energy®. Nearly 7,500 residential and business properties have been affected by the incident. However, the end is in sight but
columbiagas.com recently released the following statement on December 12th: “Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and state and local officials today announced that restoration of gas service to residences and businesses in the Merrimack Valley is substantially complete. With natural gas service restored to 98 percent of residential and business customers, the project has reached a major milestone and is in the process of entering the next phase of the restoration effort.”
This has been a long and tough time for the people who have been affected, and we understand. We are happy to work with our community to help those individuals, feel safe and cared for, and keep them warm & with power during these next few cold months. Broco Energy® offers both routine and emergency generator fuel services and we are always ready to mobilize, organize, deploy, and manage emergency fuel services.
Our goal at Broco is to provide affordable, safe, and reliable services so that your family can have a worry free winter, and focus on what’s important: time together. Now more than ever we all realize how precious quality time with our families are. Broco Energy® is here every day, working hard to keep your family warm. And when disaster strikes, you can bet Broco Energy® will be there without hesitation, doing all we can to help.
Call us today for more information about who we are, the services we provide, and the great prices at which we offer those services. Become part of the Broco family!
Family Values: Why They Could Make Or Break Your Business
As time goes on, technology gets smarter, homes get bigger, and cars get faster, there is one thing that remains steady: the importance of family values. With industry seeming to get taller and taller, we may feel trapped below, scrambling for something we are familiar with. We delight in the sight of a small, family-owned business, who knows how to take care of us. It’s always been true that “mom and pop” shops have the best feel, and the best intentions.
At Broco, we strive to keep family at the helm of our business. We believe that it’s what makes us successful and strive for better quality service for our customers. How exactly does it work?
Family means strong commitment, teamwork, respect, communication, trust, industriousness, and goals. Based on mutual love and respect, we have a commitment toward one another, and toward our customers. We treat all our loyal customers like family, quick to respond when they need help. Our sense of teamwork helps us to work together to provide you with information, regular maintenance, and emergency response. We help each other to improve, which means you benefit from an efficient, caring business.
Because we are a family, we respect what it means to provide for our own, and for others. You will always deal with a professional, polite Broco employee who wants you to feel respected and safe. We pride ourselves on effective communication, both within the company walls, and with our customers. If we are well informed, then so are you, and your family will always be comfortable and warm.
In today’s world it’s hard to trust anyone, let alone a large company who has goals larger than you. Broco Energy® keeps our promises and always gives you the most up to date oil news and prices.
We work hard so you don’t have to. We know that family life is busy and full of surprises! If we can provide you with a well-heated home, at prices you can afford, and certain aid in an emergency, we can make your life a little bit easier!
forbes.com agrees, “The values of the family are often instrumental in creating a strong sense of identity for family businesses. These values are regularly foundational to running family firms. Strong family values can prove extremely productive in business. They can stabilize the structure and dynamics in the family. As such they can substantially influence the way the family business is organized as well as the way both family members working in the firm and those who do not interact with each other around company decisions.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/
Come be part of the Broco family!
Converting from Gas to Oil: What you should know
In light of recent events in the news, we have been getting many inquiries about changing from gas to oil. Many people are thinking about how they heat their homes and whether they are doing it in the safest and most cost-effective way. We would like to just give some information on the differences. Your safety and that of our environment is our main concern. With that in mind, we’d like to take a minute to discuss the benefits of heating your home with oil.
Experts across the board agree that heating oil is a great, safe way to heat your home. Heating oil is not explosive. It only ignites when its temperature reaches 140 degrees. It must be vaporized before it will ignite, and will not burn in a liquid state. Dropping a match into heating oil is the same as dropping it into the water.
How about the environmental benefits? As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, the popularization of Ultra-low sulfur content fuel means your fuel burns cleaner. This reduces the number of dangerous emissions, as well as reducing sulfur buildup in your tank, meaning a more efficient burn. This is better for you and the environment, drastically reducing the amount of pollution released into our air.
With Broco Energy®, you have choices. You tell us when and how much oil to deliver, and your supply is stored at your home. Typically, natural gas limits your choices, coming from one provider.
With the use and maintenance of your heating oil system, you are in control. Our technicians provide any services you may need. Broco is always quick to respond, and always here to make sure your systems are up and running the way they should be!
If this is something you are still interested in learning more about please inquire with us as to how to switch from gas to oil if you haven’t already. We’re here to keep you safe! The winter season is creeping up on us, this isn’t the time to wait! Call us today to answer any questions you may have, or to schedule a routine check-up for your system.
Whistle While You Work: Why Refusing to Top Off Your Oil Tank is Safer!
It’s a fact of life- we’re all trying to get the most bang for our buck. Our time, space, and money are valuable! We’ve all been pumping gas into our cars and, usually while simultaneously reading the “DO NOT TOP OFF” sign, are trying to get that gauge to read a nice clean, round number. (Admit it… we all feel a little defeated when the screen reads $30.01!) But there’s a reason those signs exist!
At Broco Oil, our mission is to provide you with a clean, safe service. Topping off your heating oil tank could be very dangerous for you, and the environment. Why do we say this? Often times your tank may read 7/8 full after a fill up. This is because during a fill up, oil foams and vapors build pressure and it takes time for those to disappear.
How do we know when it’s safe to stop filling the tank? A whistle!
A tried and true method for oil tank delivery, is through the use of a whistle. Your fuel oil tank is equipped with a whistle located in the vent pipe. As oil enters your tank, the air that is present inside your tank is being displaced through a small vent. As this is happening, a steady whistling noise is produced. As long as your tank is whistling, the oil keeps flowing. When the whistling stops, oil flow is immediately stopped.
Think of it like a soda can being poured into a glass. As the soda rapidly enters the new container, bubbles and foam immediately collect at the top. Before you can pour the whole can, you have to wait for the bubbles to disappear. You know that once those bubbles are gone, you can fill more soda into the glass. But if you continued pouring before they were gone, your counter is suddenly flooded with a sticky mess. Same with your oil tank. If you were to top off your tank before the vapors and foam have dissipated, your tank could overfill and leak causing major issues for you, that are highly unsafe for the environment.
Broco Oil is on top of it! Our trained professionals have your best interest in mind and know how to properly fill your tanks so you can get the most out of every fill-up. If you’re tired of worrying about your oil tank levels, ask us about automatic delivery and we’ll take care of it for you!
Article from the Boston Herald by
Emergency response is in the Brown brothers’ blood.
Both military men and firefighters, Bob Brown of Andover and his brother Shane of Stoneham are sending trucks from their family-owned oil company to the Carolinas filled with fuel ahead of Hurricane Florence.
Bob has seen firsthand the devastation left behind by hurricanes. He was serving in Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7, stationed in Gulfport, Miss., when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005.
“I saw how important fuel is in an emergency like that,” Bob said. “You don’t realize how important fuel is — having a steady flow of fuel to support and continue the rescue operation. … I’ve always been drawn to emergency response and providing for emergency situations like that.”
When the Browns heard about Hurricane Florence, they got eight of their trucks prepped for hauling, filled them with gas and diesel fuel and have four now en route to the Carolinas in coordination with FEMA. Another four are ready to go if they are called on.
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HAVERHILL, MA. – SEPTEMBER 12: Shane Brown, Director of Emergency Response for Broco Oil at the company headquarters on September 12, 2018 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Patrick Whittemore/Boston Herald)
Shane, a Cambridge firefighter, also serves as a U.S. Army Reserve firefighter, but helped his brother organize the initiative.
“When something like this comes up, when people need help and you can do it, it’s really a no-brainer,” Shane said. “At the end of the day we can hang up our hat and know we made a difference.”
Last year, they offered up their trucks for hurricanes Harvey and Irma as well.
The fuel trucks are staged around priority facilities, such as hospitals, and when the power goes out they keep those facilities up and running. They also travel with rescue response teams to fuel their vehicles as they move through disaster zones.
FEMA will reimburse operational costs, but the Browns foot the bill for expenses, food, lodging and fuel to and from the site.
“I didn’t even inquire about (reimbursements) last year, I just sent them down to help,” Bob said. “It’s not one of those situations where you say, ‘What’s covered, how much money is it for us to go down,’ the mentality should be, OK, whatever you need, we’ll provide.”
Direct Link to the article http://www.bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2018/09/brothers_help_fuel_emergency_response_to_hurricane
Photo Credits:
HAVERHILL, MA. – SEPTEMBER 12: Shane Brown, Director of Emergency Response for Broco Energy® monitors Hurricane Florence at the company headquarters on September 12, 2018 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Patrick Whittemore/Boston Herald)[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Ronnie’s Oil was established in 1918 and was acquired by Broco Energy® Inc in 2017
Ronnie’s Oil is a full-service oil company serving the Merrimack Valley and Southern NH since 1918. We offer prompt and efficient service, with outstanding value. Our dedicated employees provide over 150 years of combined experience. Broco Energy® is excited to bring our top-notch service and reputation back to Ronnie’s Oil. We will keep everyone posted as we update the website, service system, and facility.
Our additional location also has a Fuel Farm! Our Fuel Farm/ Storage facility features a gas station, bulk fuel storage farm, fuel loading rack(s), and our very own railroad switch which enables us to receive products directly from US and Canada oil refineries. Being able to receive petroleum products directly from the oil refineries by railroad enables us to purchase oil at a reduced rate when compared to market competitors, and pass those savings off to our customers.
A natural disaster such as a hurricane is a prime example of how our storage facility benefits our oil customers. An unexpected disaster, in most cases, will spike oil and gas prices. We are able to fill the oil terminal before the price increase, and maintain a low price of heating oil and diesel fuel for a time, because of the large storage capacity.
We will now be servicing the following service areas: Andover, Burlington, Lexington, Lynnfield, Melrose, Middleton, North Reading, Winchester, Woburn, Peabody, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Wakefield, Wilmington, Medford, Boxford, Bradford, Byfield, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimac, Methuen, North Andover, Rowley, West Newbury, Atkinson, Danville, East Kingston, Hampstead, Kingston, Newton, Plaistow,
Salem, Sandown.
This is an exciting time for us and we are happy to serve all our customers!
