By Robert Roth, AWS
When I stepped into this interim role, my primary focus was to ensure that AWS remained the premier advocate and technical resource for welding and allied processes. Our mission is clear: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes.
However, achieving our mission requires not only technical excellence, but operational precision. Those who know me, know I am a long-time practitioner of the Toyota Production System, and I brought that mindset to AWS to improve our business processes. I quickly identified areas where AWS needed to refine its internal practices to better serve its members and the industry at large.
Over the past 21 months, our team streamlined operations, focusing on efficiency and member experience. For instance, we reduced the average processing time for certification applications from eight weeks to just seven-and-a-half days. This change is more than just a statistic; it’s a commitment to the livelihood of our members, whose careers often hinge on timely certifications. Similarly, we’ve slashed customer service response times. When you call AWS, the average wait time for a human response — by an AWS staff member — is just over one minute. These improvements may seem small, but they represent a shift toward a more member-centric organization, which is a critical step for maintaining trust and relevance.
A Mission Bigger Than Ourselves
At its core, AWS is an advocate for the welding industry. This advocacy takes many forms, from setting global standards to combating misinformation about welding processes. One example underscores the importance of this role: in California, a study sought to restrict fusion welding processes to TIG welding due to concerns about welding fumes. While health and safety are paramount (and embedded in our standards), such a move would have ignored the practical realities of construction and manufacturing. Without AWS’s advocacy, such legislation could cripple our ability to build critical infrastructure.
GAWDA members are also on the front lines of this advocacy. You interact directly with customers, providing not just products but also expertise. By equipping you with accurate information and robust standards, AWS ensures that you can advocate effectively for the welding industry.
The reason you don’t think about the importance of welding standards and certifications every time you drive across a bridge, pump gas or take an elevator to the 50th floor is because they work to make America safe. Not only that, AWS works continuously to enhance them, such as with the upcoming 2025 edition of the AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel.
AWS is also moving forward with technology, such as with the D20 Committee on Additive Manufacturing. Metal 3D printing requires a lot of shielding gas and filler metals, and its use will grow as these processes supplement U.S. casting capabilities, shorten supply chains and gain traction in infrastructure, aerospace, defense, medical and maintenance/repair applications.
Since I mentioned standards and certifications, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that these standards don’t write themselves. Much of our work is done by more than 3,000 volunteer professionals. We can always benefit from an infusion of new talent, and there are opportunities to serve on 300+ AWS technical committees, subcommittees, and task groups. See how you can get involved, and know that AWS makes it easy for our volunteers. AWS staff manages the administrative tasks so that our volunteers focus their time and effort on content and areas of expertise.
Likewise, professional development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. I encourage managers to provide their employees with the on-the-clock time needed to participate in certification and education programs, as well as attend AWS conferences and events such as the AWS Welding Summit or FABTECH. These events offer top-notch education programming, and the networking possibilities are invaluable. You’re literally one connection or booth visit away from being able to solve a problem or meet a new prospect.
I would also encourage GAWDA members to remind their sons and daughters interested in welding to explore the AWS career resources and AWS Foundation Scholarships. There is a national re-awakening in the trades — the Wall Street Journal is giving them front page coverage! — and you never know where a start in welding can take you. I love to tell the story of one of our AWS Vice Presidents, Josh Burgess, who came out of high school without a clear direction. A teacher/mentor suggested he take some welding classes, and today Josh has a Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Welding Engineering from the University of Knoxville.
Careers in welding continue to expand as well, especially with the resurgence in automation driven by collaborative robots. It bears repeating that automation doesn’t replace people; it grows their career possibilities and grows our industry, helping make products domestically instead of overseas. Since the cobot surge, I’ve also noticed another thing: experienced welders make the best cobot operators. Just because cobots are easy to program doesn’t mean you don’t need welding skills, from basics such as knowing how to set the correct torch angles or contact-tip-to-work distance to advanced choices related to welding processes. Someone with a robot programming background doesn’t understand these nuances, but a welder does.
The Future Under Carey Chen
As I hand the reins to Carey Chen, I’m filled with optimism for the future of AWS. Carey’s extensive experience in the industry—from his leadership roles at Hypertherm and Cincinnati Incorporated to his two decades of volunteer service with AWS—positions him uniquely to lead the organization into its next chapter. His background aligns perfectly with the evolving needs of our industry. Carey is old enough to have deep experience leading organizations but young enough that he has plenty of runway in front of him so he can lead AWS for the long term.
During my tenure, I intentionally focused on internal operations, ensuring that AWS could operate with efficiency and agility. This approach has set the stage for Carey to prioritize both internal and external outreach. Our future lies not within the four walls of AWS headquarters but in the broader marketplace, where innovation, collaboration, and advocacy intersect. I have no doubt that Carey will bring a renewed focus on these external opportunities, building on the strong foundation we’ve established.
A Personal Note
As I step away from this role, I want to express my deep gratitude to the welding community. My journey with AWS began long before my tenure as interim CEO. In many ways, it’s a family legacy; my father was a lifetime member of AWS, and some of my earliest memories involve attending AWS events as a child. To have the opportunity to serve this organization has been both humbling and fulfilling. To the members of GAWDA: thank you for your partnership, your expertise, and your unwavering commitment to the welding industry.
