Haun Welding Supply
Though Haun Welding Supply was incorporated in 1958, its roots trace back much further than that. In 1930, Orval Haun began building welders for U.S.L Battery Co. of Niagara Falls. In 1940, U.S.L. sent Orval to set up welder manufacturing for the Syracuse Owen-Dyneto Co. However, around this time, Orval and a colleague discovered a better way to build welders that was both less expensive and allowed more control over the welder. When U.S.L. rejected that method of manufacturing, Orval saw an opportunity to build his own welders, which he did in his basement and began selling them on the weekends.
By 1948, Orval had started selling welding supplies and accessories to complement his manufacturing and, in 1955, he resigned from his job to open a full-line distributorship. Orval’s son, Ken, worked part-time building welders while attending Syracuse University and, after graduating with a degree in electrical engineering and serving in the Air Force, joined Haun Welding Supply full-time.
In 1957, the company discontinued manufacturing welders to concentrate on the growing needs of the welding supply business. In 1958, the company incorporated as Haun Welding Supply. Now celebrating its 65th Anniversary, the company is into its fourth generation of leadership, as Ken’s son, Mark Haun, serves as Chairman of the Board, and Mark’s sons, Josh and Erich service as co-presidents, with his other son, Kyle, serving in the sales department.
“The culture at Haun Welding comes down to four virtues: humble, heart driven, honest, and helpful,” says Co-President Josh Haun. “Those are the virtues we look for in our employees and we really focus on getting the right people in the right positions so that we can continue to be successful.”
Today, the company that started with three employees in a cinder block store that Orval and Ken had purchased now boasts 23 locations and 300 employees.
“To continue our father’s, our grandfather’s and our great grandfather’s legacy, something they poured their hearts and souls into, is a great responsibility,” says Co-President Erich Haun. “We don’t see it as a job, but a life responsibility.”
Concludes Chairman of the Board Mark Haun, “Our ability to be successful is based on people. There’s no substitute for having the right people. The people make all the difference. We’re about two years into a transition and succession plan, and Josh and Erich have made some amazing hires. We’ve reorganized, filled new spots and those successful decisions have us well-positioned.”
Congratulations to all GAWDA members celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2023.
GAWDA members represent the best-of-the-best companies in the gases and welding industries. Each year in the Summer issue, we recognize those GAWDA Members celebrating milestone anniversaries. In the Q3 issue’s President’s Column, GAWDA President Robert Anders explored the three C’s of longevity. We want to add a fourth C for this column: Congratulations to all those GAWDA members celebrating anniversaries this year! And if you have a milestone anniversary coming up in 2024 and would like to be featured in this column next year, please reach out today at steveg@gawdamedia.com
