In Memoriam: Dirk Van Dongen
GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Dirk Van Dongen, the esteemed former CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), who passed away. The NAW announced the passing of Dirk in a press release on its website.
“I often told Dirk Van Dongen that he was a living legend. Throughout his four-decade tenure, he transformed NAW into a powerhouse in Washington. Dirk mentored generations of trade association leaders, including myself,” said Eric Hoplin, CEO of NAW. “He played a pivotal role in electing hundreds of members of Congress, all while advising them on the importance of free enterprise. His office walls told the story of his influence, adorned with photos of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and countless leaders of the House and Senate. When he passed the baton of NAW leadership to me, his graciousness and generosity were unparalleled. Dirk was not just a mentor but a friend to me and many others. While he will be deeply missed, the impact he made will resonate for generations.”
To read the full release, click here.
American Welding & Gas Acquires Speed Industrial Gas
American Welding & Gas, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of Speed Industrial Gas with locations in San Antonio, Taylor, and Pleasanton, TX.
The Taylor, TX location is located northeast of Austin, TX near the exciting developments in that area. We welcome our new teammates who have built a strong business, in the rapidly growing Central Texas area. AWG’s new Central Texas locations will be aligned with our existing Coastal Welding Supply and AWG operations in Texas and Louisiana, reinforcing our growth in this region.
This acquisition provides yet another example for owners in our industry that they have an alternative; a family-owned peer that takes great care in protecting their organization’s legacy.
AWG, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, is one of the nation’s largest independent producers and distributors of industrial, medical, beverage, and specialty gases. AWG operates over 100 retail locations and 25 gas fill plants in twenty-three states stretching from Montana to Florida and from Pennsylvania to Texas.
General Air Service & Supply to Host Denver Grand Reopening on June 21st
According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn page, General Air Service & Supply will host its Grand Reopening of its Denver branch on June 21st. “Come see how you can do more with less at General Air. Join us for an unforgettable day filled with prizes, demos, free food and swag!”
The reopening will include a who’s who of manufacturers as well as General Air Pros including its welding academy, mobile training rig, safety and fall protection and industrial vending. It will have fun for the whole family!
Maine Oxy to Host Open House in Hermon, ME on June 21st
Maine Oxy will host an Open House event at its Hermon, Maine location on Friday, June 21st at 10:00 a.m. The event be an exciting day allowing attendees to explore Maine Oxy’s products, capabilities and promotions.
“Come meet our team, explore our facility, and learn more about our products and services. Whether you’re a long-time customer or new to the world of welding, industrial supplies, gases for medical, food and beverage, or industrial, this event is perfect for everyone. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect with us in person and see what Maine Oxy is all about. We can’t wait to see you there!”
nexAir Launches new eCommerce Platform, nexAir Now
According to a post on its LinkedIn page, nexAir has launched a new e-commerce platform called nexAir Now.
“Dubbed nexAir Now, the platform is designed to enhance the purchasing experience for customers. It allows users to track and manage current and past orders, in addition to supporting the making of new requests.
Bill Proctor, President of nexAir said, “nexAir Now is more than just a platform; it’s a new tool to streamline processes and increase productivity around the clock.”
AWISCO Hosts 2024 Trade Show
AWISCO hosted its 2024 Trade Show. According to the company, “AWISCO was thrilled to bring back the Trade Show for 2024! We missed interacting with all of our amazing customers, students, and vendors and this year was an exciting and highly anticipated return. With great weather, food, and a fun baseball theme, the show was better than ever!
Thank you to all who visited the show, had some food, checked out the specials, and met with our vendors. We hope you all had a great day! If you missed the show, we hope to see you at our next one. Thank you for being a part of our AWISCO family and contributing to the success of the event!”
