Cahaba Media Group Completes Acquisition of Butane-Propane News

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (February 2, 2021)—Cahaba Media Group (cahabamedia.com) announced today the acquisition of the assets of Butane-Propane News (bpnews.com), a leading trade publication for the propane industry founded in 1939. 

The products under the Butane-Propane News brand—encompassing a print magazine, digital issue, website, newsletters and social media platforms—offer industry professionals timely news and relevant business advice on the propane market. These professionals include wholesale distributors, marketers, suppliers, fleet managers and more.

Current President and Publisher Natalie Peal and Vice President Nanette Dougall took ownership of the brand in 2005 from their father, Bill Clark, who acquired the business in 1969. Natalie and Nanette have led the brand through numerous periods of growth, economic fluctuations and changes to the industry.

“After nearly 52 years as a family-held company, I’m excited to see where the Cahaba Media Group team will take Butane-Propane News. I feel they share the same business ethics and customer service that we have held dear during our tenure,” Peal said. “To our propane family, especially our advertisers and readers, thank you for your support and being such an important part of the Clark family’s lives. Your friendships have enriched our family more than you know.”

The acquisition of Butane-Propane News aligns with Cahaba Media Group’s strategy to serve business-to-business and industrial audiences with the news and business content they need to thrive in their respective industries and to connect solutions providers to end-to-end users.

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Cahaba Media Group was founded in 2002 and will add Butane-Propane News to its growing lineup of brands: Pumps & Systems, Construction Business Owner, and HomeCare. Elizabeth Manning, previously managing editor of Construction Business Owner, will lead the Butane-Propane News brand, and Anjana Kallarackal will take on the role of associate editor. Landen Franklin has been promoted to account executive and will lead advertising sales for Butane-Propane News.

“Cahaba Media Group has an established reputation for providing the expertise and news businesses and professionals need to keep moving forward. I’m excited to lead Butane-Propane News—another robust brand with a rich history and loyal audience—and build strong relationships in a new industry,” Manning said.

“We love a good story at Cahaba Media, and Butane Propane News is an incredible one, much of which is wrapped up in the history of Bill Clark and his wife Barbara—the magazine being where the two met and married and later passed the brand on to their two daughters, Natalie and Nanette, who have been terrific stewards of Butane-Propane News,” said Matthew Conroy, president and chief executive officer of Cahaba Media Group. “As publisher, Natalie has run the business consistent with the core values we strive to achieve at Cahaba Media—working with integrity, focusing on thrift and modesty, delivering value for customers, being a good customer, and making the business a great place to work. We are excited to bring this brand and its readers and advertisers into the Cahaba Media Group family, and we will continue that legacy for many years to come.”

“When Matt Lyons and I acquired Cahaba Media Group last year, a niche brand like Butane-Propane News was exactly the sort of acquisition we envisioned for the future, and we are thrilled to be executing on our own dual strategy of investing in organic growth and acquiring additional brands to grow our business in Birmingham and provide opportunities for emerging leaders like Elizabeth, Anjana and Landen to grow their careers,” Conroy continued. “We’re excited about broadening our brand portfolio into the energy sector. The propane market is going through significant change, and we will continue to be a reliable source of information and quality analysis for our readers and the industry.”   

Regions Financial provided financing for the acquisition and Maynard Cooper & Gale PC served as legal counsel to Cahaba Media Group. Butane-Propane News was exclusively represented by Jeff Gruenhut of Grimes, McGovern & Associates. Valensi Rose PLC served as legal counsel to the seller. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Cahaba Media Group

Founded in 2002, Cahaba Media Group (CMG) publishes trade magazines, websites and newsletters for various industries. CMG has been voted one of the “Best Places to Work in Birmingham” in the Birmingham Business Journal. The company was also voted “Top 10 Best Publishing Companies to Work for in America” by Publishing Executive Magazine and has been named to the “Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies” four times. Visit cahabamedia.com.