Author: Steve Guglielmo

American Welding & Gas, Inc. (AWG) is proud to announce the successful acquisition of Suncoast Welding Supplies, a trusted supplier serving the Fort Pierce, Florida area. This acquisition further strengthens AWG’s footprint in the Southeast and enhances our ability to deliver high-quality gases, welding products, and related services to customers in the region. Founded in 1977, Suncoast Welding Supplies has built a reputation for providing exceptional customer service, technical expertise, and reliable supply solutions to welding professionals and businesses. Through this acquisition, AWG will continue to serve Suncoast’s valued customers with the same dedication while offering expanded product lines, advanced capabilities, and a nationwide supply…

Holston Gases completed the acquisition of Nitro-Derm East located in Taylors, S.C. Holston Gases will service these customers from their facility located at 121 Southwest Dr, Spartanburg, S.C. 29303. Holston Gases President Joe Baxter said, “We are very pleased to add the customers of Nitro-Derm into our growing customer base in the Upstate. Nitro-Derm has been servicing this area of South Carolina for over 19 years and has a great reputation and loyal customers that we are excited to bring into the Holston family.” Chad Stetar, owner of Nitro-Derm, agreed that the consolidation of the two companies’ resources in the…

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Jason Charles Kreiger, who passed away on August 3rd, 2025, at the age of 53. Jason went to school at Valparaiso High School public school system, playing basketball. After graduating high school, he went to college at Purdue University, majoring in Communications and serving as the president of Sigma Nu. Post-graduation, he spent most of his professional career with Praxair, moving on to American Welding and Gas in 2017 where he served as CEO. At the helm of AWG, he spent the remaining years of his professional career leading and…

Important Notice Regarding the Future of Special Permits SP-9830, SP-10320, and SP-11692 Dear GAWDA Safety Committee Members, We are writing to inform you of important updates concerning Special Permits SP-9830, SP-10320, and SP-11692. These permits, which cover certain cylinder designs previously manufactured by Worthington Enterprises, have all been successfully renewed and are currently set to expire in 2029. Following recent discussions with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and considering the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published on July 1, 2025, we would like to advise all affected customers of Worthington’s future plans and your available options. Important…

CK Supply announced that Gateway Cylinder Technologies is now fully operational after extensive renovations. In an email blast, the company said, “Gateway Cylinder Technologies is CK Supply’s In-House cylinder testing facility. Having an asset like Gateway is crucial to the CK’s operational success. In the video below we do a full deep dive of the facility, the work done there, and the impact it makes to YOU! Gateway just underwent a FULL RENOVATION and is now better equipped to meet our customers needs. If you have any questions about the cylinder testing process, check out gatewaycylinder.com or reach out to…

According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn page, Keen Compressed Gas Co. launched its first fully integrated e-commerce website on Monday, August 4th. “This platform was built with our customers in mind: easier ordering, real time inventory, and a seamless user experience. From concept to launch, it’s been a major team effort, and we’re excited to finally share it with the world.” To view the website, click here.

Holston Gases completed the acquisition of National Gas Company, which is headquartered in Knoxville, TN. Holston Gases will continue to service these customers from their facility located at 545 W. Baxter Ave, Knoxville, TN. Holston Gases President Joe Baxter said, “We are very pleased to add the propane customers of National Gas to those of Holston Gases. National Gas has been servicing Knox County and surrounding areas for over 83 years. They have a great reputation and loyal customers that we are excited to bring into the Holston family.” John Anderson, owner of National Gas, agreed that the consolidation of…

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Donald “Kelly” Root, who passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 64 years old. Kelly was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, but Baton Rouge was where he truly made his home. It’s where he built a life, raised a family, and created a lasting legacy. With a natural charisma and a mind for business, Kelly with the role of Owner and VP of Sales, transformed Capitol Welders from a modest family operation into a powerhouse that drew the attention of international corporations. Kelly was more than a…

FMCSA Issues Temporary Waiver for Paper Medical Certificates.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a waiver allowing interstate commercial driver’s license holders, commercial learner’s permit holders, and motor carriers to continue relying paper copies of medical examiner’s certificates as proof of drivers’ medical certification for up to 15 days after the date the medical examiner’s certificate is issued. The waiver is in effect until October 12, 2025. The FMCSA recognizes that some drivers may face delays as certified medical examiners and State Driver’s Licensing Agencies transition from the paper-based process to the secure, electronic transmission of driver medical…

Wilson Products will hold its 2025 Welding Expo on Wednesday, September 24th and Thursday, September 25th from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ESAB will be hosting a cutting competition each day, with one winner for fastest time on each day being awarded a brand-new Victor Cutting Kit! In addition, the Welding Business Owners Podcast will be on-site doing a live show! The Training Seminar Schedule for the day is below. Wednesday, September 24th: 8:30 a.m. – Miller Electric Advanced Welding Processes 11:00 a.m. – Theo Laser Welding Applications & Safety 1:30 p.m. – Lincoln Electric Collaborative Robotic Welding Thursday, September…