Year: 2018

Linde Purchase of Praxair Inc. Finalized Linde has announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to acquire Praxair, Inc., clearing the last hurdle in the estimated $90 billion-dollar merger. With over 80,000 employees in more than 100 countries, this makes Linde the largest company in the global industrial gas business. In order to receive approval, Linde agreed to sell its U.S. bulk business as well as certain carbon monoxide, hydrogen and steam methane reforming businesses. The divestitures must occur by January 29, 2019, and until then, Linde and Praxair will continue to operate their businesses…

GAWDA Comments on FMCSA Hours of Service Rulemaking GAWDA filed comments on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on driver hours of service regulations. On Aug. 23, 2018, the agency published its ANPRM in response to widespread Congressional, industry, and citizen concerns over the HOS rules. See 83 Fed. Reg. 42631. The notice sought feedback from the public to determine if HOS revisions may alleviate unnecessary burdens placed on drivers while maintaining safety on our nation’s highways and roads. The four specific areas under consideration for revision are: Expanding the current 100 air-mile “short-haul” exemption for…

Atlas Welding Reports Two New Hires Atlas Welding Supply Company recently added two new employees to its sales team. Ryas Esdale has joined the sales team as an inside sales representative and marketing associate. Ryas will increase communication and sales with clients as well posting relevant information via social media and Atlas’ website. Ryas is originally from Birmingham, AL, and graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in marketing. Patrick Visintainer has also joined the Atlas sales team. Patrick will strategically manage and grow all medical and scientific gas accounts. Patrick is originally from Birmingham, AL and graduated…

CGA to Offer Technical Webinars The Compressed Gas Association has announced its first series of technical webinars on the history of acetylene and its properties and handling calcium carbide. The series begins with three one-hour webinars on: General History of Acetylene and Its Properties, Part 1 (October 18) General History of Acetylene and Its Properties, Part 2 (October 25) History and Current Practices for Handling Calcium Carbide (November 1) The cost is only $25 per person/per webinar. Register for all three and save 20%. Save even more if your company registers four or more employees. Audience level: Non-technical/entry level (little…

Phoenix International Offers New Flux Oven Phoenix International is now offering the latest in flux oven technology — the 250FX. Phoenix flux ovens are designed for long-term storage of bulk flux to provide a consistent flux temperature throughout the oven chamber. This new product offers a modern design that ensures easy dispensing. Dick Wilkinson, managing director, described the 250FX as “a new option for submerged arc welding.” The 250FX has a 250-pound flux capacity and a temperature range up to 750 degrees F. It offers a digital thermometer and adjustable digital thermostat. The 250FX is 3,000W, 110/220V and has a…

Phoenix Teams Up with JMC to Expand Presence The Phoenix Company, parent company of Phoenix International, has announced a new partnership with JMC Capital Partners of Boston, Massachusetts. George Wordingham, president and fourth-generation owner of Phoenix has announced his retirement and confirmed the sale of his share of the company to JMC. “I’m happy to be putting Phoenix in a position for long-term growth while also preserving the importance of its history in the industries we’ve served for decades. The trust our customers have in us is something money can’t buy, so it’s important to everyone to keep this story…

FMCSA Issues Final Rule on Drivers with Diabetes The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a final rule to permit individuals with a stable insulin regimen and properly controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) to be qualified to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. See 83 Fed. Reg. 47486 (September 19, 2018). Previously, ITDM individuals were prohibited from driving CMVs in interstate commerce unless they obtained an exemption from FMCSA. This rule enables a certified medical examiner to grant an ITDM individual a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA–5876, for up to a maximum of 12 months. To do so, the…

Weldcote Metals Introduces Low-Manganese Stick Electrodes Weldcote Metals, Inc. has introduced WCM low-manganese emission shielded metal arc welding electrodes. The new patented Weldcote line has a unique flux composition that supplies weld metal with a significantly lower manganese content, decreasing manganese vapor emissions by as much as 60 percent in comparison to standard electrodes. The WCM low-manganese product line is available in three AWS classifications: E-6011, E-6013 and E-7018. “Our low manganese product lines are the answer that the industry has been looking for,” said Joe O’Mera, CEO, Weldcote Metals. “This solution is in response to the increasingly demanding environmental safety…

AWISCO Hires New CFO AWISCO has hired Ibrahim Abdelsayed as the Chief Financial Officer. Ibrahim is Certified in Management Accounting (CMA) and Certified in Financial Management (CFM) from Villanova University. He comes to AWISCO with over 20 years of financial executive experience, with a strong focus on operations and growth. “I am very excited to have Ibrahim join the AWISCO team. I am confident his experience and expertise will play an integral part as AWISCO continues to grow and expand,” said Lloyd Robinson, AWISCO president.

By: Jack Hercik, Asterisk, LLC A recent series of advisories and safety alerts have been issued by various government agencies and industry associations warning of the risks associated with products prepared with liquid nitrogen at the point of sale. (See references, below.) These include confectionery products marketed as ‘Dragon’s Breath’, ‘Heavens Breath’, ‘nitro puff’ or other similar market names. These products include cereals, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks infused with liquid nitrogen that emit a misty fog like vapor simply as a novelty. These applications have resulted in a growing number or reports of serious injury to unwitting consumers…

It’s been a busy quarter for the GAWDA team, and we’ve accomplished quite a bit. Below, I’ve summarized some of our activities: AIWD Convention In April, John Ospina and I had the opportunity to present at the Association of Independent Welding Distributors (AIWD) Convention in Louisville, KY, about the value of a GAWDA membership. Our message seemed to resonate, as we gained seven new members in the weeks after the convention. I extend my thanks to John and Mike Dodd, as well as Stephen Hill for his follow-up efforts. Spring management conference in St. Louis We had 678 — a…

GAWDA Media is now into our third year of serving the membership by producing Welding & Gases Today and the GAWDA Connection, as well as supporting the GAWDA headquarters staff in delivering the annual meetings. We had a steep learning curve to climb getting started in 2016, especially on the editorial side. This effort was led by Editor in Chief Diane Stirling, who established a high standard for excellence through her strategic planning skills and attention to detail. Recently her alma mater, Syracuse University, lured her back to produce a magazine about the research projects being done by university staff…

GAWDA is pleased to announce the hiring of Andrea Levy as director of membership services and programs. In this position, Andrea is responsible for directing the membership recruitment and retention operations of the association, including the development of membership campaigns, member services and affinity programs. Before joining GAWDA, Andrea served in various sales and digital media positions. In the news media industry, Andrea most recently worked for Tronc’s South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper. She has also been part of Advance Digital’s corporate product team working with their leading newspapers across the country, including the Portland Oregonian, Cleveland Plain Dealer and New…