Author: Steve Guglielmo

Saturday, May 6th – 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Rooms 401-403 The Women of Gases and Welding Committee will host the 2nd annual Meet & Greet for women attendees of the SMC. The Meet & Greet is a casual, quick opportunity to meet some fellow females in our industry before the large GAWDA Newcomers and Welcome Receptions begin. Benefits: You get to meet fellow females within GAWDA; expanding your professional network and recognizability within your company Learn about roles, departments or companies Find a mentor or mentee Learn about training and development opportunities Find talent for open roles on your team…

Coastal Welding Supply announced that its annual “Emerging Technology in Metal Fabrication” event will take place at Del Mar College on Friday, April 21st, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The event is designed exclusively for instructors and educators involved in teaching welding and other industrial crafts to the future workforce. It is an opportunity to learn about the latest technologies available from key vendors both in a classroom environment, and also hands-on live demos of the latest in welding machines, welding cobots, oxyfuel cutting equipment, plasma cutting, cutting tables, tools, abrasives, PPE, underwater welding, and more!

Central McGowan announced on its LinkedIn page that its Cryogenics team installed the most new customer systems in its 75-year history, going on to say “And this record-breaking pace is continuing on into 2023.” Congratulations to Central McGowan for this milestone.

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Robert Budae, who passed away on February 1, 2023, at the age of 86. Robert was an active GAWDA member who owned and operated Flint Welding Supply and Saginaw welding Supply, which was founded by his parents, Stephan and Alice. Surviving are 2 daughters, Stephany and husband Brian Pierson of Lapeer and Stacey Budae and Jeffrey Wood of Fenton; 2 sons, Thomas Budae and his wife Renee of Davison and William Budae of Burton; grandchildren, Amanda (Lalo) Diaz, Victoria (Charles) Hendrick, Taylor (Greg) Wicks and Sean Pierson, Shelby Wood, Chelsea…

Absolute Air began filling from its Air Separation Plant in Faribault, MN. According to member company Huber Supply Company, “This will allow us to have a stable source for Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon in the southern Minnesota and Iowa market.”

No Change to FMCSA Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates for 2023.  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s various modal administrations revise their random drug and alcohol testing rates for each calendar year based on the positive test rate for regulated workers in the prior year.  For 2023, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced there will be no change to its random drug and alcohol testing rate for CDL drivers. Thus, in 2023 companies will still be required to give drug tests to 50% of their drivers and alcohol tests to 10% of their drivers.  These tests must be…

Haun Welding Supply and Specialty Gases announced on its company LinkedIn page that it has opened its 22nd store location in Allentown, PA. The new location is: 1438 Chestnut Street Emmaus, PA 18049

In an open letter from President Glenn Bliss on the company’s LinkedIn page, General Distributing Company announced that 2023 marks its 75th year in business.

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Joyce Pierce, who passed away on Friday, January 13th. To read a full obituary, click here or read below: Joyce McElhaney Pierce 86, a resident of Daphne, AL passed away peaceful at her home after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Joyce was born, along with her twin sister Judy, on January 5, 1937 to Gerald and Virginia McElhaney in New Castle, PA. Growing up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Joyce graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School and attended Kent State University. While there she met and married the love of her…

AWISCO announced that it had acquired Oxygen Supply Co., Inc. The company says that the new acquisition “will allow AWISCO to enhance our product offerings and serivces to all of our amazing customers!” The new AWISCO branch is located at: 1889 US-9 Unit 116 Toms River, NJ, 08755 The company says, “We are excited about our new presence in Toms River and the opportunity to show you, our valued customer, the benefits of now being part of AWISCO. A special welcome to Jim McElroy, Daniel Romano, and Fabio Fernandez, who will be joining the AWISCO team.”