Author: Steve Guglielmo

FMCSA to Proceed with Speed Limiter Rulemaking.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety administration has announced its intent to proceed with a rulemaking to require speed limiting devices on commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 pounds GVW (or CVW weight rating, whichever is greater).  The agency intends to issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to follow up on a joint proposed rule that is published with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016. Speed limiters would be required on all vehicles that are equipped with an electronic engine control unit (ECU) capable of governing the maximum speed be required to…

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FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Sets Out Agency Agenda, Priorities.  Jack Van Steenburg, Chief Safety Officer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, set out the agency’s agenda and priorities in a presentation at a recent trucking industry meeting.  He started by noting that there were 38,824 highway fatalities recorded in 2020, including 5,125 fatalities involving heavy trucks and buses.  Both of these numbers are expected to increase when the 2021 numbers are final. In addition, some 831 large truck occupants were killed in crashes in 2020, and 43% of them were not wearing seat belts. Van Steenburg noted that the…

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Airgas, an Air Liquide company, continues to expand its High School Welding Education Initiative. For the 2022 academic year, 20 returning schools and 16 new schools will be participating. These programs were chosen based on four key factors: high unmet need at the school; a productive welding program with the potential to graduate job-ready welders; passionate teachers; and enthusiastic local Airgas champions. Since the start of the high school welding program in 2012 with a pilot program in Philadelphia followed by a national expansion in 2018, Airgas has assisted 70 total schools, 2,700 students and more than 350 teachers. Participating programs receive…

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To highlight unique careers and companies in the welding and metal fabrication industries, the American Welding Society launches Metal America, a new video series streaming exclusively on YouTube. From roller coaster fabrication to automated welding robots, each episode, ranging from 10-15 minutes, follows AWS’ Stephanie Hoffman as she visits fabricators across the country to explore some of the industry’s most unique careers. Viewers will get a peek inside metal fabrication shops, schools, shipbuilders, and more. “The American Welding Society Foundation promotes the incredible career opportunities available in the welding industry, but until a person sees it for themselves, it’s hard…

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Welding careers play an integral role in keeping people safe and advancing the quality of life across the globe, yet participation in welding and other skilled trades continues to decrease. Since 1996, the American Welding Society has designated the month of April as National Welding Month to bring awareness to the welding industry and its available career paths. The welding community is vast, and AWS is dedicated to supporting the industry technicians and professionals that work at our shipyards, automotive and appliance assembly plants, pipelines, construction sites and other industries on which our economy depends. “National Welding Month is an…

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We are at once delighted and disheartened to announce that Bruce Nuttall is retiring and his last day on the job is March 31, 2022. Bruce started as a Driver/Salesman with Mississippi Welders Supply Co. (MWSCO) 37 years ago, when the company was only 25 individuals strong, with four branch locations. Bruce quickly earned more responsibility as the company began to grow, progressing through the ranks to become the Sales Manager.  In this role, he has not only overseen industrial gas and hardgoods sales, but he has also grown and nurtured a beverage gas division, a fire service division, specialty…

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Noble Gas Solutions, a family-owned distributor of high-quality compressed industrial, medical, and specialty gases and welding supplies, announced today that President Colleen Kohler was named a recipient of Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 award. The award highlights business professionals who have portrayed exceptional leadership and impressive accomplishments. “I would say that I have been fortunate to have many influential people in my life. After I gave birth to my daughter I had a very encouraging conversation with Air Products past President, Marie Ffolkes. She was very encouraging when she asked about my career aspirations. She told me to never…

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Holston Gases is proud to announce that they have signed a letter of intent to purchase Dixie Welding Supply effective May 2nd. Dixie’s locations in Atalla, AL and Oxford, AL increase Holston’s locations in Alabama to 8, and the company totals to 42. Holston Gases President/CEO, Robert Anders, said, “ We are excited to add Dixie Welding employees, customers, and product lines to those of Holston gases. This is a perfect fit. Dixie Welding and the Williams family have an outstanding reputation in north Alabama and we look forward to partnering with them to enhance the offerings they can provide…

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Koehler Welding Supply announces new staff promotions. Todd Ungru has been named President and Doug Ungru has been named Vice President effective immediately. This change punctuates the company’s growth realized during the COVID-19 pandemic. Todd Ungru and Doug Ungru have been with Koehler Welding Supply for over 11 years with expertise leading the inside and outside sales teams of KWS. “I am excited for the future of Koehler Welding with Todd and Doug at the helm”, says Dave Ungru, CEO, “the ideas and opportunities they see for the future of our business especially during this challenging time for America will…

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