Story ID: 352Avfuel
Avfuel Sees Strong First Half
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The Michigan-based aviation fuel provider has bolstered its network and rolled out new online customer engagement tools
Word Count: 635
Global fuel provider Avfuel has experienced what it describes as a banner first half in 2018. The company added 90 contract fuel locations, bringing it to more than 3,000 worldwide and 18 new branded FBOs, with its network totaling in excess of 650 facilities, in the first six months of the year. As a result of that growth, the company has added several sales representatives. “It’s crucial to match the growth of our company with the growth of our customers,” said Joel Hirst, vice president of sales for the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company. “Our customers choose Avfuel because of our operational solutions and personalized approach to support.”

To further that support, the company has launched an updated blog on its website, with a new modern interface to better connect with customers and facilitate the sharing of industry best practices. The Avclub, as it known, is open to all who wish to keep up on aviation topics from Avfuel network news to useful tips and advice for FBOs and flight departments, alike.

“We have an extensive amount of experts on a multitude of subjects in house at Avfuel headquarters,” said Marci Ammerman, the company’s vice president of marketing. “We feel it's our responsibility to share their knowledge to help facilitate best practices throughout the industry and also have a little av-fun while doing it.” Avclub subscribers will receive periodic updates on new blog postings to help them stay up to date on industry hot topics. In the few weeks since the blog’s introduction, it has already reached triple digits in subscribers, and to accelerate that pace, the company is offering Avtrip and Avfuel Network Rewards members 500 bonus points just for subscribing.

Through its online Avfuel Training System (ATS), the company features not only subscriber-based FAA-approved Part 139 line fuel service and supervisory fuel service training courses but also free fuel-safety lessons to help the industry address some recent fuel contamination issues. Both the subscription course and free fuel-safety program include training topics to help avoid such incidents, including an extensive course on the proper usage, labeling, storage, and handling of aviation fuels and additives, as well as additional comprehensive training focused specifically on fuel system icing inhibitors as well as their storage and handling.

“As a leading fuel supplier with a 30-plus-year veteran team of in-house safety experts, we have a very real responsibility to share all the safety knowledge at our disposal to help combat industry-wide concerns,” said Buffey Muth, Avfuel’s marketing manager. “This system allows us to more easily share that knowledge and more effectively strengthen our partners’ fuel safety training programs.”

Other topics in the ATS include fuel handling and fire safety, contaminants and fuel-testing methods, procedures for receiving a load of aviation fuel, aviation fueling components, fuel storage systems, mobile refueling equipment, aircraft fueling and general operations, including misfueling prevention, and record keeping best practices. To ensure the company’s vetted haulers have access to fuel safety training resources, the ATS is available to trucking companies as well as Avfuel’s branded FBOs and other fueling partners.

Avfuel is appearing in Orlando at NBAA’s convention, joined at its booth (2219) by a slate of more than 25 of its branded FBOs, among them Avflight, ACI Jet, Argos VIP, Castle & Cooke Aviation and Sheltair. While speaking with them and learning what those facilities have to offer, visitors can enter a drawing for grand prize of $10,000 worth of fuel, redeemable at any of the company’s branded FBOs or worldwide contract fuel locations. The winner will be drawn at the booth on Wednesday afternoon. Avfuel’s alternative fuels expert Keith Sawyer will also be at the booth to answer any questions about the company’s efforts to bring the product to market.