Founded in 1976, Mike Williams Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Sewer has been a trusted provider of home services across Central Illinois. With over 180 years of combined experience among its technicians, the company prides itself on delivering prompt, professional, and high-quality service to homeowners. As the team expanded, so did the complexity of managing employee expenses—especially with two separate systems: one for fuel and another for credit card purchases.
The Challenges
Outdated systems and fragmented controls
Before Coast, the team was using Wex for fuel purchases and Chase credit cards for job-related spending. This dual-system approach led to several operational challenges:
- Wex’s platform was outdated, slow, and difficult to use
- Managing two separate systems increased administrative complexity
- Reporting was cumbersome and lacked sufficient visibility
- Limited access to the Chase credit card system due to security concerns restricted efficient management
“We started with Wex when there was only a paper option. Their system was never really updated, and reporting was cumbersome,” Lewis Williams says.
The team began searching for a more modern, consolidated solution. When they heard about Coast through the Nexstar Network, the benefits were immediately clear: a single card that covers both fuel and field-related expenses.
The Solution
Coast offered exactly what Lewis’ team needed: a single card for both fuel and non-fuel purchases, combined with mobile-friendly features that gave managers real-time control without the risks of bank-level access.
“Now each employee has a company card, even those who didn’t before. They feel even cooler—like managers,” Lewis explains.
The transition to Coast offered several advantages:
- Unified Card System: Employees now have a single card for both fuel and non-fuel expenses, reducing the need for multiple cards and simplifying transactions.
- Employee Empowerment: Staff members who previously lacked credit cards now possess company cards, fostering a sense of trust and responsibility.
- Real-Time Controls: Managers can quickly adjust spending limits via text, allowing for immediate responses to changing needs.
- Receipt Management: The ability to upload receipts and add memos, such as purchase order numbers, ensures that all transactions are properly authorized and documented.
“We LOVE the ability to send receipts and memos so we know purchases were authorized,” says Lewis.
The Results
✅ Simplified card management by eliminating dual systems
✅ Greater employee ownership with more staff carrying company cards
✅ Improved accountability via receipts, memos, and PO tagging
✅ Better administrative security—no more bank access for multiple users
✅ More operational flexibility through real-time SMS controls
“It’s the ease, efficiency, and peace of mind,” Lewis says. “We were always hesitant to give multiple admins access to our Chase credit card platform. Coast gives us a safer, more controlled way to manage everything in one place.”
Mike Williams’ adoption of Coast has not only modernized their expense management but has also fostered a more efficient and empowered workforce.
Explore Coast’s interactive demo to see how you can streamline your expenses.
