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Originally published in the January 2026 issue of Fuel Oil News Magazine. As we begin 2026, the lending landscape remains challenging for many small and mid-sized businesses in the delivered fuels and HVAC sectors. Interest rates have declined modestly but remain elevated by historical standards. This has kept capital costs high and deal activity muted … Read More

Notch Capital Delivers Tremendous Value for Two Northeast Energy ProvidersAs we enter a new year and all the opportunities and challenges the winter season brings, the Notch Capital team is thrilled to announce a recent dealin southeastern Pennsylvania that we facilitated involving our long-term client, Harris Comfort. Throughout 2025, our team advised Harris’s leadership as … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the November/December 2025 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. We’ve all heard the old adage that “If you take care of the small things, the big things will take care of themselves.” There is wisdom in those words, but that’s not the whole story – especially if you’re a … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the September/October 2025 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. Those of us who have logged many years in the fuel distribution and HVAC industries have seen our share of volatility in one form or another. I suspect that, just like many business owners and managers in our space, you … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the July/August 2025 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. As we move into the summer planning season, business owners in the fuel distribution and HVAC industry commonly focus on growth either organically or through acquisition, improving profitability, or preparing for external financing. Whether you’re talking to banks, private capital … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the May/June 2025 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. At the risk of dating myself, I often recall the absurd early 1980s movie Time Bandits when a unique business opportunity presents itself.  The movie featured a ragtag group of thieves who used a magical map to locate time portals … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the March/April 2025 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. For the first time in recent memory, we’ve had an honest-to-goodness winter. And for the first time in just as long, my conversations with my advisory clients and other fuel companies have been focused more on operational challenges brought about … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the January/February 2025 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. The re-election of Donald Trump and the GOP’s control of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives signals a fundamental economic and regulatory shift is likely on the way for the third time in eight years. With unified control … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the November/December 2024 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. Business owners in the consolidating fuel and HVAC market are frequently engrossed in the day-to-day pressures of running their operations, meeting payroll and responding to a host of market pressures. So, even if an owner is contemplating a sale because … Read More

Originally published as a featured column in the September/October 2024 Issue of Indoor Comfort Marketing. Fuel company acquisitions continue to succeed or fail based on the same core principles as they always have. But several factors have changed the playing field. It’s still a nine-inning ballgame, but the outfield fences have been moved back. While … Read More