Year: 2020

Those of you who know me or who have read my previous columns know that I spent my entire career working in my family’s bidness (that’s how we say “business” down where I’m from in Texas). That doesn’t make me special among GAWDA members. Lots of our members are family businesses. And those who work in family businesses know that it can be the most rewarding experience in the world, or it can be a disaster that has the potential to not only destroy the business but possibly ruin family relationships. I have been asked by many companies to come…

By Paul Banuski As we all find ourselves in an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19, we know many employers are asking their employees to work remotely whenever possible, whether as a best practice to maintain social distancing or to comply with a state order regarding essential businesses. Working from home was already a growing trend prior to the pandemic, and many organizations are finding that there are some roles that may not require a physical presence at an office or jobsite at all. So, whether it’s a short term accommodation due to circumstances or part of a broader…

Is your sales team making these four mistakes that could make it more difficult to sell during an economic downturn? Here’s how your company can adapt by Jay Spielvogel, Venator Sales Group, LLC. A colleague recently asked me, “What are the top mistakes salespeople make when the economy begins to slow down?” I explained that during great economic times, most companies tell me their salespeople are good at closing business with existing accounts, bidding on inbound budgeted projects in new accounts or prospecting on smaller “quick-hit” opportunities. On the flipside, the challenge during recessed economic times is that while the phones…

The coronavirus outbreak has reminded us all that with adversity comes the challenge to find new ways of approaching our day-to-day lives. This is especially true in our jobs, which often require personal interaction. I am a sales consultant to a machine tool distributorship that has seven salespeople who are now unable to make face-to-face contact with their customers and prospects. The company asked me to help find effective ways for its sales reps to utilize their time in this shelter-in-place world. Stickiness Malcom Gladwell in his book, The Tipping Point, describes times of change, like the one we are…

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an incredibly trying time for our nation and our industry. Though many GAWDA members remained open in some capacity throughout the crisis as “essential businesses,” there isn’t a single person or company who hasn’t been affected in one way or another. Even the association has been impacted, as the difficult decision was made to cancel the Spring Management Conference as well as all 2020 Regional Meetings in an effort to keep members safe. Through it all, GAWDA members have been there to lend a hand to those in need during the crisis. The following are…

The gases and welding industry is an integral part of our everyday lives. Of course, GAWDA members already understood that. But now it has been officially codified by the United States government and other governments around the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic started to become more wide-spread, the entire business landscape changed. Some businesses had to shut down completely. Others, deemed as “essential services,” were forced to figure out, on the fly, how to operate in a way that allowed them to continue to service their customers without putting their staff in danger. Many GAWDA members have had to deal…

On March 27, 2020, the American Welding Society’s (AWS) Board of Directors announced Gary Konarska II as the organization’s new Executive Director and CEO. Konarska succeeded Ray Shook, who held the position for 15 years and who agreed to remain as Executive Director Emeritus for an interim period to ensure a seamless and successful transition. Konarska brings 20 years of experience in the welding and cutting equipment industry, where he worked with Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio. Most recently, Konarska served as Vice President, Global Automation, where he was responsible for 13 automation sites around the world and…

This year is a milestone year for GAWDA, as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary. Throughout 2020, we will be celebrating our roots, all while looking forward to ensuring that the next 75 years are as productive and impactful as the first. In the 1st Quarter 2020 issue of Welding & Gases Today, we ran a “Trip Down Memory Lane” 75 Years of GAWDA timeline on pages 50 and 51. In the 2nd Quarter 2020 issue, we revisited the formation and official founding of the National Welding Supply Association (NWSA), which would later become GAWDA, as well as looked back at…

F&M MAFCO is founded on the values of G.R.I.T. GRIT stands for: Goal Oriented, Responsibility, Integrity, and Teamwork. Those timeless values remain unchanged since the company’s founding in 1945. Those simple values, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit that still lives on in the company today, helped propel F&M MAFCO from two men in a garage re-selling Army Surplus supplies to a distributorship that today encompasses nearly 300 employees in 10 branches around the world. In September 1945, Robert McKenna, Sr. was discharged from the Army Air Corps. following World War II. McKenna and his wife, Mary, moved in with her…

Read the full press release below or on the company’s website. We announce the acquisition of Todays Gases in Springfield, KY. Starting August 1st, their current location at 1090 Bardstown Rd. Springfield, KY 40069 will be under the Holston Gases name. We are very pleased to bring the Todays Gases customer base and product lines into the Holston family. Other August 15 Connection Items: In Memoriam: James McGarry McKenna Jim O’Connor Retires from Norton Company EspriGas Promotes Schrantz, Expands Role of Sawyer Butler Gas Products Opens New Location Holston Gases Acquires Todays Gases A COVID-19 Update from Haun Welding Supply…

Haun Welding Supply is again offering welding courses. Read the full update below or on the company’s website. In response to the coronavirus pandemic: -Weld training has restarted. For more information, click here. -For available PPE and disinfectant options, click here. -Our drivers are no longer entering medical facilities. We will coordinate an exchange location at your facility. For non-medical customers, please contact your local store if you would like to make alternative delivery arrangements. -We are offering curbside service for order pickups. Please call ahead with your order or you can call when you arrive to arrange this. -We will not…

The following is an excerpt from the GAWDA Safety Organizer, a monthly newsletter sent to GAWDA members. For more information on the GAWDA Safety Organizer, or to read past issues, visit the GAWDA.org Members-Only Section. This month’s bulletin is to remind people of the hot months of summer and the problems of overfilling LPG cylinders. This bulletin is not meant to provide all the details of proper filling and storage of LPG cylinders. Hot Summer Days The extreme heat of the summer months will cause overfilled cylinders to begin venting product and this venting product can be liquid, which expands…

The following is an excerpt from the GAWDA Safety Organizer, a monthly bulletin sent to GAWDA members. For more information on the GAWDA Safety Organizer, or to read past issues, visit the GAWDA.org Members-Only Section Hazards exist everywhere: Viruses, noise, chemicals, falling objects, slippery surfaces/uneven surfaces and sharp objects. Employers are required by regulation to protect employees from known and potential hazards in the workplace. The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), requires employers to furnish to each worker “employment and a place of employment, which are free…

How COVID-19 has impacted GAWDA members and what will need to be done as businesses reopen. By Steve Guglielmo, Tom Badstubner, Marilyn Dempsey, Michael Dodd and Rick Schweitzer By the time that this issue hits your desk, it might feel like the COVID-19 pandemic has lasted forever. It may even be that the economy in your state has largely reopened. But the fallout from this crisis will last far beyond the initial lockdown and reopening. And, though businesses may have returned to some semblance of normalcy, the virus has not been eradicated. We may deal with a “second wave” or,…

By Dylan Sherwood Educators always want to learn what they can do better in the classroom for their students. Salina Tech and Airgas is making that possible for agriculture and technology teachers by offering a free two-day welding class for those teaching that subject. Educators as far west as Colby to as south as Sublette and as far east as Bonner Springs made the trek to Salina. Click here to read the full article from The Hutchinson News. Other August 15 Connection Items: In Memoriam: James McGarry McKenna Jim O’Connor Retires from Norton Company EspriGas Promotes Schrantz, Expands Role of…

A-L Compressed Gases of Spokane A-L Compressed Gases of Spokane is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2020. The company was founded in 1990 by Shan and Barbara Bush. The company began when Air Liquide divested its retail hardgoods and small cylinder business and established the ALNET distributor network. Shan Bush had held several positions with Air Liquide throughout the 80s and decided to go into business for himself. “A-L Compressed Gases has grown through the hard work and dedication of all of our employees, both past and present,” says President Brady Bush. “This includes Ken Wilson, our longest tenured employee.…

EQUIGAS EQUIGAS was founded 35 years ago in Venezuela by Antonio Arvelo. Antonio was working in the Lubricant and LP-Gas distribution business when he identified the need for a more reliable equipment distributorship. He founded EQUIGAS as a way to help provide that reliable equipment to the industry. As time went on, Antonio added a separate division devoted to service, delivery, technical training and engineering projects. Rafael Arvelo joined the company in 1990, at the age of 20, as a sales representative. At the time, it was just his father, Antonio, a secretary and Rafael. Rafael worked his way up…

Worthington Industries Worthington Industries is celebrating its 65th Anniversary in 2020. The company came from humble beginnings. Founder John McConnell saw an opportunity for custom-processed steel and purchased his first load of steel by borrowing $600 against his 1952 Oldsmobile, and then used that money to start Worthington Industries in Columbus, Ohio. Today, Worthington is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WOR). But from its humble beginnings through its continued run of success, Worthington has always operated on the Golden Rule. Its mission statement says, “We treat our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders as we would like to…

Mathey Dearman, Inc. When Mathey was established in 1935 by Frank Mathey, the company not only did pipe beveling machines, but also wireline units and measuring tools that would be used in the drilling and exploration of well sites. The company prides itself on being the world’s foremost authority on preparing pipe for joining together by welding. Mathey was a family-owned business until 1985, when it was purchased. However, the company still operates as a family-style business. In 1997, the company purchased Dearman Products, becoming Mathey Dearman and expanding its portfolio to include the clamping and fit up of pipe.…

Generant Company Generant was founded in 1930 by Albert Simon, an engineer and business owner. He started the company with a line of needle valves, filters, lubricators and pressure regulators. Generant held the original patent on the Air Pressure Regulator and began to assemble and market these products to industry. In 1966, Albert retired and sold the business to his accountant, Paul Buren. In 1968, Buren acquired Generant’s largest supplier, Reliable Screw Machine Products. Reliable was a job shop screw machine company. Then, in 1972, the company further expanded the Screw Machine business with the acquisition of Automatic Screw Machine…