Supagas plans for growth in LPG, customer service, and sustainability

Under the leadership of Managing Director Erol Arican, Supagas is expanding its national footprint, modernising operations, and paving the way for a lower-emissions future.

As a new Japanese financial year begins – and the Australian one nears its end – businesses across the country are reviewing their performance, refining their strategies, and preparing for the future.

For Supagas, this means reinforcing the pillars that matter most: listening to customers, solving problems directly, and maintaining a competitive edge in an evolving gas market.

Now in his fourth year as Managing Director – and twelfth year with Supagas overall – Erol Arican has guided the business through a phase of rapid growth and regional expansion.

Heading into FY25, with economic uncertainty on the horizon, Supagas’s strategic priorities are clear: improve efficiency, remain cost-conscious, and continue to invest in its people.

Navigating uncertainty in the gas industry

When asked about the biggest pressures on Australia’s gas sector, Arican doesn’t mince words: volatility in supply chains, tighter regulations, and a more cautious economic climate.

“Trade tensions, inflation, shipping delays, the rising cost of raw materials – all of these are impacting our sector,” Arican says. “We’re seeing customers pause large projects or delay investments, which can affect long-term demand. So, we’ve had to adapt.”

Following the 2023 gas policy reforms in Victoria, many end-users assumed LPG would be phased out. But as Arican notes, that was never the case.

LPG remains “a fully viable, flexible solution – especially where natural gas infrastructure is limited.”

With the Victorian Energy Minister confirming that gas will remain “a critical part” of the state’s energy mix, the outlook for LPG in Victoria and beyond remains strong.

That means Supagas is focusing on efficiency, logistics, and customer reliability – while still managing costs.

“Our logistics need to be both cost-effective and dependable,” Arican says. “So, we’re focused on building systems that can do both.”

While challenges persist, new avenues for growth are also emerging. Supagas is developing alternative energy offerings, growing its CO₂ product range, and pursuing carefully selected acquisitions.

“Last year we acquired Kleenheat in WA, which gives us a springboard for regional expansion,” Arican says. “It’s about geographic coverage and product diversification – making sure we can offer our full range everywhere we operate.”

Sustainability and the shift toward carbon-neutral LPG

A major area of investment for Supagas is sustainability – with a focus on verifying and certifying its core LPG products.

“We’ve been working behind the scenes to validate our baseline data and submit for certification,” Arican says. “Once complete, we’ll offer customers the option to ‘opt in’ to carbon-neutral LPG, similar to how green electricity programs work.”

Participating customers will pay a modest fee, which Supagas will use to purchase verified offsets. The result: certified reductions in emissions from gas use.

“It’s a simple, transparent model,” he explains. “And it gives environmentally conscious customers a way to reduce their impact without changing suppliers or infrastructure.”

Looking further ahead, Arican is enthusiastic about the development of renewable LPG – produced from waste-derived inputs like SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) by-products.

“If we can get even a blended form of renewable LPG into the market, that’s a big step forward,” he says.

Modern systems and a growth mindset

Supagas is backing its expansion with internal investment. From safety system digitalisation to upgrades in fleet tracking and HR technology, the company is modernising from the inside out.

“We’re launching new systems to support our people and reinforce a culture that prioritises safety, reliability, and performance,” says Arican.

At the heart of that culture is the long-standing “Yes We Can” mindset – a phrase that’s more than a slogan for Supagas.

“It’s how we approach challenges, how we serve customers, and how we work across teams,” Arican says. “And it applies to everyone we come in contact with – our staff, vendors, suppliers, and end-users.”

A people-first vision for national LPG supply

While Arican remains focused on operations, he’s especially passionate about fostering the right workplace culture.

“I want my team to speak up and challenge ideas,” he says. “That’s how we grow and grow safely.”

Safety, of course, remains foundational. “‘Think, Live and Work Safe’ isn’t just a motto – it’s a mindset,” he says. “Safety is built into everything we do, on site and beyond.”

With national acquisitions now well underway, internal systems going live, and a laser focus on customer service, Arican believes Supagas is well-positioned for its next chapter.

He’s also clear-eyed about the importance of maintaining flexibility as the company scales.

“We’ve grown a lot, but we still need to act with the urgency and flexibility of a smaller business,” Arican says. “That’s what customers value. That’s what keeps us competitive.”

The results speak for themselves. Supagas’s Net Promoter Score – an index that reflects how likely customers are to recommend the brand – sits above the national average.

According to Arican, that reflects “a strong service culture and pride in performance.”

“Anyone can deliver gas,” he says. “What makes the difference is how you deliver for the customer. We take extreme pride in our service, that’s where Supagas stands apart.”