JWK Overstock Online Specials Update!

Black Knight Mechanical Tank GaugeOver 100 Products from Dozens of Manufacturers2018 First Quarter Overstock Specials

We have added a number of products to our online OVERSTOCK SPECIALS at drastically reduced prices, ranging from 30% to 75% off manufacturer’s suggested list price, more than a few well below our cost!

Save big on anything from overfill prevention valves, lighting products, dispensers, pumps, meters,  containment products, repair kits, graphics, replacement electronic boards and more from brands such as, APT, Bravo, Fill-Rite, Gasoline Advertising Products, Gilbarco, Husky, Evertite,, LSI Lighting, NOV (Ameron & A.O.Smith), OPW, Scully, Veeder Root and others.

The BJ Enterprises 99″ Black Knight liquid level tank gauge w/ horizontal float with a list price of $233.17 that we typically sell online for $163.20, ONLINE NOW FOR ONLY $136.00*!

Check back constantly as we are always adding to our overstock specials and reducing prices throughout the year.

And here are just a handful of the current special deals you’ll find on our
OVERSTOCK SPECIALS Page:
Item List
Price
Regular
Online
Price
Now
Only
Discount
381 Nation Spencer Barrel Pump 381 National Spencer Barrel Pump $47.70 $33.71
$11.93*
75% Off
List Price!
346DI Morrison Brothers External Emergency Valve 346DI-0600AV
Morrison Brothers 3″ Ductile Iron External Emergency Valve
$604.05 $463.91
$145.20*
75% Off
List Price!
LSI Lixington Decorative Pedestrian Area Light 580207 Crossover Lexington Decorative Pedestrain and Area LED Light Fixture $1,600.00 $1,280.00 $800.00* 50% Off
List Price!
CWSVH45BL CWS Service Station Vacuum 15' x 2" Hose CWSVH45BL CWS Service Station Vacuum 15′ x 2″ Hose $66.20 $22.07 $16.55* 75% Off
List Price!
M01047A007 Gilbarco Right Nozzle Boot Assembly w/ Lift To Start Lever M01047A007 Gilbarco Right Nozzle Boot Assembly w/ Lift To Start Lever $189.32 $143.88 $94.66* 50% Off
List Price!
*While supplies last

If you have any questions about any of the products you find on our overstock specials page, feel free to call us at 1.800.238.1225!

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

JWK USA Logo

Things to Seriously Avoid at a Gas Station

Things to Seriously Avoid at a Gas StationThere are a number of flammable gas and petroleum based fuels in a gas station. Although we only stop at a gas station for a few minutes, we should be careful when we are refueling our tanks.

Disaster can happen within seconds and you may never know what went wrong.

Here are the things that you should always avoid doing at a gas station:

Not turning off the engine

The engine should never be ignited while refueling, as it can cause a fire. All ignitions should be off, including cooking units, pilot lights and tanker heater.

Light a cigarette

Never smoke at a gas station or light a match. Keep your lighters safely tucked in your pocket. There are fuel vapors in the air, and even a little spark from your lighter can cause a fire.

Reenter your car while refueling

Reentering your car while refueling can build static energy, especially in cold and dry weather. Any spark from static energy, combined with gasoline fume, can cause a mini explosion.

If you really must get back in your car, make sure to discharge all the static energy by touching something metal.

Use your cell phone

Although there is no evidence to support the possibility of cell phone sparks being the culprit behind fires in gas stations, it is still safe not to use them.

There is lots of traffic in the gas station with cars standing bumper to bumper, so the best thing to do is avoid using cell phones.

Breathe vapors

If you feel that that the odor of fuel is too strong, this means that there are a lot of vapors in the air. You shouldn’t breathe in these vapors for more than a few seconds as it can cause some serious respiratory problems.

Cover your mouth and nose while filling or move to an area with fresh air. Try to go to gas stations that have wide open spaces.

Overfill the tank

Overfilling the tank can cause spillage of oil on the ground, which can be dangerous for you and others. Most gas pumps stop automatically when the tank is full.

Let your children out

Your children may be really fascinated about cars and gadgets, or could be curious to learn how a gas pump works. But you should never let your children out during refueling.

Firstly, their lungs are more vulnerable to gas fumes. Secondly, any splash from the nozzle will happen right at their face level, which is even more dangerous.

Are you a gas station owner? Post these safety guidelines at your gas station!

 

We are the one of the leading the fuel station and pumps equipment suppliers in the country and provide a complete range of products for setting up a gas station and making necessary upgrades. Have a look at our product range from some of the best brands in the business.

Lights Will Guide You Home—Can Proper Lighting Help You Attract More Customers?

Lights Will Guide You HomeProper lighting in a gas station is necessary for the safety of customers and staff. However, proper lighting is also imperative for gas stations in order to create an attractive retail environment so that more and more customers are drawn towards it.

Gas stations are something that can be found in almost every end of a busy street. With such cut-throat competition, gas stations can’t ignore the importance of investing in lighting to boost their business.

Exterior lighting

Customers aren’t likely to pull over to a gas station that is dimly lit for several reasons:

  • There is an increased risk of accident or injury because of a gas leak or spill
  • There could be a security risk, as mugging is common in poorly lit places
  • They will face difficulty in refueling their vehicle and inspecting it

Adequate exterior lighting with flood lights, and other illumination solutions is imperative for any gas station during the night, in order to make customers feel secure. Almost all motorist look at the forecourt before entering, and if the station isn’t adequately lit, they are likely to turn back and look for another.

Interior lighting

Interior lighting is more of a marketing tactic in order to increase sales. Through indoor lighting, gas stations are able to create an aesthetically appealing retail environment for their customers. This is particularly important if there are several gas stations nearby.

Interior lighting is particularly important for the convenience stores. Attractive product displays with bright interiors can entice motorists to go inside the convenience store and shop.

However, proper lighting isn’t enough to boost sales. If you’re investing in lighting, so is every other gas station. Read on to find out some more tactics that can complement your attractive lighting display.

Advertising

You shouldn’t be afraid to sell your gas station customer service and products to the customers. Putting up signs of offers and promotions can really be the differentiating factor that your gas station needs.

Window displays on the convenience stores is also a good idea to promote the products being sold inside the convenience store.

Customer service

Customers aren’t likely to return to a gas station which provided very poor customer service the last time they visited.

Customers should be cared for when they visit your gas station, and if they feel valued they are likely to come back. A great way to improve customer satisfaction is to have customer feedback system in place, which will allow you to get feedback directly from the customers, while also letting them feel heard.

For all kinds of upgrades and equipment for your gas station, you can visit our website or contact us through 1-800-238-1225. We supply petroleum equipment and gas station pump parts throughout the States at very reasonable prices.

Patriot Capital: Is Equipment Financing Right For Your Business?

Patriot Captial - Is Equipment Financing Right For Your Business?You have options in how you finance your fueling and convenience store equipment. Adding new EMV gas pumps, POS, LED’s, storage tanks or EMV upgrades? View the short video below to learn how business equipment financing and leasing for your convenience store compares with other loan and borrowing options.

Feel free to give us a call at 1.800.451.4021 if you would like to finance your next equipment purchase or visit Patriot Captial’s Equipment Financing Learning Center to learn more.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

JWK USA Logo

Making a Gas Station Safe – The Inspection Checklist

Making a Gas Station SafeRegular inspections are necessary in gas stations to provide both the stakeholder and customers a safer environment to do business. Individual situations may vary, but safety inspection for a gas station will generally include the following things:

Emergency Procedures

There should be emergency procedures for fire, spillage, accidents an equipment failure. These emergency procedures should be reviewed every month and updated as per necessity.

All the employees must be trained and aware of these procedures so that they can be carried out in a timely manner.

Emergency Numbers

A list of emergency numbers that includes, fire brigade, ambulance and the police, should be prominently displayed at the central console, near the phone.

Emergency Stop

There must be a main emergency stop that cuts of power to all dispensing units. This emergency stops should be in an accessible place and must not be blocked with racks or shelves.

The emergency stop must be labeled prominently and should be tested once every month to make sure that it is functioning properly.

Safety Equipment

The most important safety equipment in natural gas stations is fire extinguishers.

There must be at least two-powder type fire extinguishers in the gas stations. The minimum rating of the fire extinguishers should be 2A 60B(E). The fire extinguishers should be adequately labeled and should be placed in a place from which they can be accessed without any danger in case of emergency. They need to be serviced every 6 months so that they remain effective.

Other safety equipment includes a spill kit. Oil spills are dangerous as a fire can spark in no time. They must be dealt with immediately, which is why spill kits are very important in a gas station for safety.

A first aid safety kit should be present at the convenience store and the office. Read more about service station safety tips.

Site plan and Risk assessment

A site plan and risk assessment should be prepared and maintained regularly. This will include the inventory of the goods on the site, especially the dangerous goods, such as combustible gas and flammable liquids.

A risk assessment ensures that the property owner is aware of all the potential dangers that are present on the site and all the steps are being taken to mitigate those risks.

These are all DIY inspection and safety tips that can be done by the station owners themselves. But what about the safety of the fuel tanks and gas pumps? For that, a professional inspection of the gas station must be conducted regularly, so that any potential dangers can be taken care of beforehand.

Call us today for a professional inspection of your gas station at 1-800-238-1225. We also provide on-site repairs for all gas station equipment, so that any problem is resolved within no time.

Choosing a Location for Your Gas Station – The Sense and Science Combo!

The Sense and Science Combo!There are three things that make a gas station successful: location, location and location.

Whether you are planning to build a new gas station or acquiring an already running one, the location is something that must play the most important part in your decision making.

However, choosing the right location is not as easy as it seems. There are several factors that need to be considered and a lot research needed; after all, gas station is a significant investment.

Here are some important considerations to have in mind:

Level of competition

Assessing the level of competition can be quite tricky. While investing in an area where there is low competition and adequate demand is a good strategy, it does not mean potential success. Investing in a busy road of New York, San Francisco or Boston, with cut-throat competition, will prove to be a better strategy than an area with low competition.

This is because no one likes to wait for getting gas, especially on a busy day. So as far as the customers go, the more gas stations there are in the area, the better; as waiting in a line is a nuisance. So in a tough completion like this, the winner is the one who can drive out traffic as quickly as possible.

Accessibility

The gas station should be easily accessible. This means that cars should be able to easily enter and exit the gas station. Drivers will avoid turning into a gas station which makes it a hassle to work around.

Make sure that the location is easily accessible to heavy traffic and goes with flow. The side of the road can also make a huge difference. One side may have more traffic than the other, especially during rush hours.

Future Projects

Construction of overhead bridges or buildings could hamper the accessibility of the gas stations in the future. This is why proper research is important before making an investment. A steady stream of traffic could reduce to a trickle if a project is started anywhere near your gas station.

History of the site

It is very important to know and understand the property laws that are prevalent in the State. Also learn about the history of the site to see if there have been any legal complications pertaining to this site in the past. You will also need to learn about any safety hazard that is present in the area, such as a gas leak.

The last thing you want is the government to shut down your station due to safety hazards or a dispute.

 

If you are looking for supplies for your new gas station, then you don’t need to look further than John W. Kennedy Company. We provide a whole range of gas station equipment, like gas pumps, gas station pump parts, petroleum equipment and fuel management equipment, with over 70 brands in our catalogue. Visit our website for more details or contact us by dialing 1-800-238-1225.

This Way Please! How to Drive More Customers to Your Gas Station

This Way PleaseYou, as a gas station manager, may be pressed to bring in more customers.

Reduced pricing is one way, but fuel sales already have very low margins. Engaging in a price war with other nearby gas stations is only a race down to the bottom, where everybody is a loser.

However, there are other ways to attract new customer and make current customers return.

Here are four ways you can drive customers to your gas station:

Differentiate

‘Differentiate or Die’ goes a very old branding concept. You want more customers in your gas station, but so does everyone else. What are you doing differently?

Find a niche that no other gas station nearby is aware of, which might attract traffic to your gas station. If you are located near a stadium, stock your convenience store with fan merchandise and jersey’s. If you’re station is located near a river where people go for boating and fishing, have baits and flies stocked in your stock.

Find anything that goes well with your area and makes your gas station stand out from the crowd.

Improve Appearance

First impressions are vital when attracting customers. Drivers usually look at the forecourt when entering, even if they do not need gas. Therefore, the gas pumps, fuel oil nozzles, buttons and displays should be clean and in tip-top condition.

Needless to say, bathrooms should be spotless. Multiple bathroom cleanings should be scheduled each day.

Advertisements

No advertising is like waiting for the customer to come to you, rather than reaching out to them. You shouldn’t be afraid to sell your products and brand if you want more traffic.

Put up signs to display your prices and discounts that you’re offering. Have window signs to promote products that are being sold in the convenience store.

Customer Service

It doesn’t matter how good your gas station is and how attractive deals you offer on your convenience store, customers will never return if the customer service is bad.

A top business guru in the world, Tom Peters, calls excellent customer service as the biggest secret of business success. Nothing will make customers return to your gas station like good customer service.

Customers must feel valued and cared for when they enter your gas station and your employees should be courteous to them as well. Establish a customer satisfaction feedback system, so that you can also receive customer feedback and recommendations directly from the customers on how to improve your service.

 

If you need any repairs or upgrades in your gas stations, contact us at 1-800-238-1225 or visit our website. We are a leading gas station parts supplier in the US, and cater to every need of gas stations and convenience stores.

Fuel Management System Buyer’s Guide

Fuel Management System Buyer’s GuideThose of you new to the game might be asking what fuel management system is, and why do you need one for your gas station.

So, before we walk you through the key considerations to make when buying a fuel management system, we would like to address your questions at hand.

What is a Fuel Management System?

Simply put, a fuel management system is a reporting software, hardwired to your fuel dispensers and storage tanks, enabling you to monitor your fuel stock.

Why do you need one for your gas station?

By keeping a record of how much fuel has been consumed and how much fuel remains in your storage tanks, a fuel management systems ensures greater accountability and visibility of fuel stocks, allowing for convenient management to prevent stock shrinkage, theft and outages.

Now that you know what a fuel management system is, and about its importance in a fuel dispensing setting, let’s get into the details of what to consider when buying a fuel management system.

Buying a Fuel Management System – Key Considerations to Make

A fuel management system is a big-ticket item. As such, an uninformed decision exercised in the purchase of the equipment, can lead to a futile investment if it does not comply with the station-specific deployment requirements.

How to avoid such scenario and make sure your investment delivers on the purpose that it has been made for?

Ask these questions to yourself and in the light of the answers, make an informed purchase decision.

Question #1: How Much Accurate Do You Want It to Be?

No fuel management system is designed to yield 100% reporting accuracy. Period.

The higher end versions usually have a reporting accuracy of +/- 0.25%, while the lower end systems offer an accuracy of up to +/- 0.5%.

Now every gas station owner would want their fuel management systems to be as accurate as possible, but for that it also means that you will have to invest in more expensive solutions.

So, in the end make a choice that is financially feasible—both in the short and the long term.

Question #2: Does the Retrofit Solution Complies with Your Existing Refueling Hardware?

When buying a fuel management system, you have two options. You can either buy a complete system—refueling hardware incorporated with a fuel management system. Or, you can buy a retrofit solution to go with your already installed dispensers and storage tanks.

When you are buying a retrofit solution, it’s important to ensure that the standalone system can be easily integrated with your existing fuel dispensing and storage points.

Question #3: How Do You Intend to Access the System Data?

The basic models limit the accessibility of fuel stock data to an on-site model, meaning, that if you want to access the system data, you need to physically access your fuel management system. This could be a problem for owners who run their operations at multiple locations.

The high end models, on the other hand, allow the system data to be automatically synced with a cloud storage platform, which allows you to conveniently manage your fuel retail operations from anywhere, at any time. Some modern systems also allow accessibility through mobile apps.

By keeping these key considerations in mind, you can make a better decision when it comes to purchasing a fuel management system and choose a solution that best fits your needs.

Buy Fuel Management Systems Online

At John W. Kennedy Company, we stock quality brands fuel management systems, designed to provide gas station owners with all the reporting features necessary to make sure their fuel stocks never run low or exhaust.

You can order service station equipment and gas station supplies online and we will deliver it to you at your doorstep.

Graco Safety Alert – Vented Air Ball Valve 110225

GracoSAFETY ALERT

Between January 1, 2017 and January 10, 2018, Graco 110225 ball valves were not manufactured correctly  by Graco’s supplier! 

The incorrect valves do not have a vent hole, and as a result will not vent pressure when turned to the closed position. Air pressure can then become trapped downstream of the valve potentially causing serious injury due to unexpected movement of equipment. 

Here is a a list of affected products:

Part Number Description Part Number Description
110225 VALVE, VENTED, TWO-WAY, ½ 246669 SYSTEM, WASTE OIL PUMP TRENCH
 244680  SYSTEM, BULK ANTIFREEZE/WWS  244648  SYSTEM, BULK GREASE 
 244847  SYSTEM, BULK OIL  246672  SYSTEM, WWS PUMP
 244628  SYSTEM, BULK OIL  244679 SYSTEM, BULK ANTI-FREEZE/WWS  
 244846  SYSTEM, BULK OIL  246657  SYSTEM, AIR DROP
 246659  SYSTEM, AIR DROP & TIRE CHANGER  244646  SYSTEM, BULK GREASE 
 244641  SYSTEM, BULK GREASE    

Your safety is Graco’s and our highest priority. All incorrect valves in inventory and in use must be removed, quarantined and replaced.

 

Graco 110225 Ball Valve AlertThe correct valve has a vent hole and is marked with a directional arrow and the number 250.
The incorrect valve does not have a vent hole and the markings are different.

If you have identified that you purchased any of the affected valves and/or equipment packages between 1/1/2017 to 1/10/2018, here are the required actions to follow:

  1. Inspect the valves and packages for the incorrect valve
  2. You must REMOVE or QUARANTINE the incorrect valve
  3. If you can not remove the valve from use immediately, it is extremely critical that you find a method to relieve trapped air pressure before cleaning, inspecting or servicing the equipment
  4. Contact  us at 1.800.451-4021 to replace the incorrect valves
    1. A warranty claim will be created
    2. the incorrect valves must be returned to Graco to receive credit for the incorrect valves
    3. UPDATE as of 2/8/2018 – Graco WILL reimburse for labor on a case by case basis!

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  If you have any further questions or require assistance, please call us at 1.800.451.4021.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

JWK USA Logo

Features to Look for When Buying a POS System for Gas Stations

Features to LookLooking for a POS system for your gas station but don’t really know where to start?

Don’t worry. We have compiled this brief guide to help you find the right solution for your service station, one that makes filling of vehicle tanks a total breeze for your customers, while also allowing you to manage your fuel retail operations conveniently.

So, let’s get started!

Compliance with ATEX Regulations

When buying a fuel POS system, the first thing that you need to make sure is that the system complies with many different industry specific requirements—the most important being ATEX regulations. These set of regulations govern the design standards of a POS system so as to make its operation safe in a potentially explosive environment.

It Should Enable Short Transaction Times

Gas stations receive high volume of customers every day – around the clock. As such, you cannot afford to spend too much time processing a sale, with the queue of cars adding up and customers honking their discontent to let you know they are getting late. Your POS system should accommodate faster transaction times with easy to access sales information and quick-to-process system functionality.

A User-Friendly Interface

The best fuel POS systems are designed for intuitive operations, having a user interface that is easy to navigate and interact with. The easier the system is to use, the greater the time savings it will offer—otherwise expended to train your staff—and the lesser the encountered human errors while processing a payment.

Designed to Accommodate Multiple Modes of Payment

Consumers today expect retailers to accommodate multiple modes of payment when they are making a purchase.

Fuel retail and convenience store purchases are not exempted. Therefore, your POS system should be able to accept payments in cash, credit and debit—while also offering discount coupons and fleet cards integration.

A Convenient Inventory Management

Fuel retail operations are resource exhaustive. As such, stock levels need to be continuously monitored to minimize outages and shrinkage—not to mention the disappointed maneuvers as customers lap the leagues to look for an alternative.

A fuel POS system should offer inventory management to ensure uninterrupted supply of gasoline to the customers.

A POS system having these 5 key features should be able to support your fuel retail operations holistically.

Buy Fuel POS Systems Online

At John W. Kennedy Company, we stock high quality service station equipment and gas station supplies, providing everything you need to run your business smoothly, efficiently and safely. You can place your order online and we will deliver it to you at your doorstep.