Author: Steve Guglielmo

Vern Lewis made his name in the welding industry by starting the company, Vern Lewis Welding Supply in 1969. Now, his legacy will live on forever at the newly opened Vernon F. Lewis Welding Lab at the very same high school that he attended in the early 1950s. “This started three years ago, we came back here to do some estate planning for him down the street,” said the General Manager of the company, John Bone. “We were peaking through all the windows looking at the AG shop that Vern had went to many, many years ago and that was…

CGA 870 MEDICAL OXYGEN REGULATOR YOKE CONNECTION ISSUE The Compressed Gas Association has published CGA SA-40, Safety Alert, CGA 870 Medical Oxygen Regulator Yoke Connection Issue. This Safety Alert addresses an issue recently brought to CGA’s attention regarding reports of certain medical gas regulator yokes available for purchase and use in the United States and Canada that do not meet CGA standards. Use of these non-conforming regulator yokes may result in these regulator yokes not achieving a proper connection and seal with oxygen cylinders that utilize certain CGA 870 pin-indexed valves that conform to applicable CGA standards. Interference resulting from…

Meritus Gas Partners announced that it entered into a partnership with OzArc Gas Equipment & Supply, Inc., (“OzArc”), a leading independent distributor of packaged gases and welding supplies headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. OzArc operates nine locations throughout southeastern Missouri, western Kentucky and northeastern Arkansas. The business has been owned and operated by the Garner family since its founding in 1945. “Meritus is a great fit for our business and family,” said Bob Garner, OzArc’s principal owner and Chairman. “By partnering with Meritus, OzArc will maintain its independence, brand and identity, and…

Airgas, an Air Liquide company and a leading U.S. supplier of industrial gases, welding technologies, and safety products announced appointments to its executive team. Chief Executive Officer of Airgas, Inc.: Marcelo Fioranelli succeeded Pascal Vinet on July 1, 2021. In addition to his role as Airgas CEO, Fioranelli also serves on the Board of Airgas, Inc. and Air Liquide Group Vice President and member of the Executive Committee. Fioranelli has nearly 30 years of experience in the industrial gas industry in countries like Brazil, China and the US with specialization in strategy, general management and business development, with a focus…

The Butler Gas Products Company Board of Directors voted in support of a new slate of officers effective October 1, 2021.   Longstanding former CEO and second generation owner Jack Butler will advance into the role of Chairman. His daughter, Abydee Butler Moore, Butler Gas President and former COO will step into the role of CEO. Abydee’s mother, Elissa Butler, continues as Treasurer. After growing up in the business, Abydee joined the Butler Gas Products team full-time in 2009 and purchased 20% of the company in 2015. As third generation owner, she is responsible for the successful implementation of the company’s 100 Year Plan.…

After the introductory marks, Abydee welcomed the six participants for the morning’s opening session, “The CEO Track.” She was joined on stage by industry stalwarts: Jason Krieger, Jenny McCall, Richelle Smith-Brecht, Mark Raimy, Wally Brant and Alex Kennedy. The panel followed the SWOT analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. “The CEO is not a reward, it’s not a medal and it’s not somewhere you park somebody when they get old. It’s an active job and an active duty. To me, a good day as a CEO is being visible,” said Indiana Oxygen CEO Wally Brant. “Be engaging with your people.…

The term “Made in the USA” is one that is familiar to everybody. We’ve seen it on packaging. We’ve seen it in commercials, usually accompanied by flags waving, baseball in the background and apple pie coming out of the oven. And research suggests that the term does more than evoke feelings of patriotism. It can actually drive consumer spending and habits. But the term “Made in the USA” and other similar claims, like “American Made,” are more than just branding and sloganeering.  Made in the USA is actually a federally protected designation from the Federal Trade Commission.  According to the…

Praxair Distribution, Inc. has named Roch Monahan Associate Director of M&A – Business Development, U.S., reporting to Mark Herrington, Director of M&A. In his new role, Monahan will play an instrumental role in identifying and investigating potential acquisition targets. “Roch’s extensive knowledge of the business, industry experience and commitment make him a great fit for the role and a valuable addition to the M&A team in support of PDI’s strategic growth initiatives,” Herrington said. Monahan has more than 30 years of experience in the Industrial Gas Industry serving as Chief Operating Officer & VP of Sales and Marketing for OKI…

EspriGas, a technology and data-driven gas management company, announces today its expanded partnership with Panda Express®, the largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S., to include nearly 2,000 locations. As the exclusive supplier of beverage grade CO2 for Panda restaurants, EspriGas facilitates the management and delivery of both cylinders and bulk CO2 through its extensive and experienced network of local gas suppliers. EspriGas began working with Panda in 2019 as a supplier for 300 of its locations. After experiencing a better model to supply CO2 used to carbonate Coca-Cola products from the beverage fountains, Panda expanded the relationship to include…

The need for welders has reached a critical point, and the American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation, in partnership with Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, is bringing the welding experience back to high school with the Light a Spark Grant. “The AWS Foundation is extremely pleased to offer these grants to high schools that do not currently offer a welding program, thus providing hundreds of students the opportunity to experience welding for the first time and consider the possibility of welding as a career,” said Monica Pfarr, AWS Foundation Executive Director. The Light a Spark Grant is a turnkey package designed to…