Author: Steve Guglielmo

Preemployment DACH Query Now Satisfies Investigation Requirement for Prospective Drivers’ Drug and Alcohol Violations.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that as of January 6, 2023, a pre-employment query of the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse satisfies the requirement to investigate a prospective driver’s previous drug and alcohol program violations, as set forth in 49 CFR 391.23(e)(4) and 382.413(b). Employers of CDL drivers are required to conduct background investigations before hiring a driver. This process includes determining if the driver has violated the drug and alcohol regulations of any Department of Transportation (DOT) mode within the past three…

According to an article from the Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR): Eric Nordman a supervisor at Toll Gas and Welding Company recently received the Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employee serving in the Army National Guard. Although the nominator of the award, Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel Benson was not present, Benson was appreciative of the support, assistance and care packages he received from his Toll Gas and Welding Company supervisor Eric Nordman and his team while on deployment. Benson especially wanted to honor Nordman with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve…

Linde announced that it had acquired the remaining interests of nexAir, LLC. Linde’s wholly owned subsidiary Linde Gas & Equipment Inc. (LG&E) has held a minority interest in nexAir since 2012. LG&E has now purchased the remaining 77.2%. The acquisition complements Linde’s existing packaged gas business and expands its footprint in a core and fast-growing geography across the southeastern United States.

Encore Gas & Supply, a Southern California based independent gas and industrial supply distributor, rang in the new year by launching a completely redesigned website which can be accessed by visiting www.EncoreSupply.com. According to president Ben Anderson, “while we always received compliments about our old website, the new site more accurately reflects the company as it is today – in particular the ‘mission critical’ nature of the industries we serve and the products and services we provide.” Encore serves a wide variety of industries, the operations of which are too vital to be disrupted by delays, inaccuracies and interruptions with…

EPA Issues Final Rule on Heavy Duty Engine Emissions.  The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule that will impose further restrictions on NOx and other hydrocarbon emissions from heavy duty trucks beginning with the 2027 model year. According to EPA, the final rule includes new, more stringent emissions standards that cover a wider range of heavy-duty engine operating conditions compared to today’s standards, and it requires these more stringent emissions standards to be met for a larger portion of the time these engines operate on the road. This final rule is one of three major actions being taken…

According to a blog on its company site, Butler Gas will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 2023! Per the blog: Jack and Millie Butler founded Butler Gas Products Company in western Pennsylvania in 1948. Jack was responsible for sales and purchasing, and Millie managed the books. They hired one employee- a driver to make deliveries. Seventy-five years later, Butler Gas is in its third generation of family operation and ownership with the most packaged gas capabilities of any company in its region. Jack and Millie’s son, Jack, leads as Chairman. Their daughter-in-law, Elissa, is Treasurer, and their granddaughter, Abydee, serves…

Atlas Welding Supply announced on its LinkedIn page that it had hired Marcus Hill as its newest Inside Sales Representative. As an Inside Sales Representative, Marcus handles several tasks that help Atlas’ sales team thrive and ensure its customers are well taken care of. Marcus graduated from A.H. Parker High in 2003, attended trade school at Virginia College in Birmingham for H.V.A.C, and has ten years of experience working in the gas industry.

According to this article, NASA has awarded a contract to Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. of Allentown, Pennsylvania, to supply up to 7.5 million pounds of liquid hydrogen to support operations at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The indefinite delivery requirements contract includes firm-fixed price delivery orders with a maximum value of approximately $75 million. The contract begins Dec. 9 and consists of a base period and one option period that, if exercised, would extend the contract to Nov. 30, 2025. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is the nation’s premier multi-user…

nexAir announced its new CNC Plasma Cutting System. “An affordable, high-speed precision cutting solution for the steel processing needs of a broad range of shops. With effective dimensions of 4’ x 4’, 4’ x 8’, 5’ x 10’, 6’ x 12’, or customizable lengths, nexAir CNC Plasma Cutting systems provide the ability to efficiently process a variety of steels and thicknesses. These machines feature full support for HYPERTHERM AIR® plasma systems, and FlashCut software for fast cutting speed, optimal nesting, exceptional cut quality and ease of use. The nexAir CNC Plasma Cutting systems require minimal setup and feature unitized frames…

Weldstar announced that it had promoted Andrew Blatner to Specialty Gas Manager. According to the announcement: “We are pleased to announce the promotion of Andrew Blatner to the position of Specialty Gas Manager for the Weldstar Company. Andrew has been with Weldstar for ten years, during which time he has held positions in customer service, inside sales/sales support and as Specialty Gas Technical Representative. As Specialty Gas Manager, Andrew’s responsibilities will include overseeing the FDA Program; managing the day-to-day lab operations; leading the current Specialty Gas Sales Team and maintaining most of his current technical responsibilities. Andrew brings an incredible…