Author: Steve Guglielmo

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…

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…

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…

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…

Making Their Customers’ Cup Runneth Over How Leonard’s Syrups has become a one-stop shop  While Leonard’s Syrups was technically founded in 1965, the origins of the company stretch back much, much further than that, to a college dorm room in Columbus, Ohio. When Leonard Bugajewski Sr. was enrolled at the Ohio State University, he got the idea to open his own soft drink bottling brand. During his junior year, Bugajewski and his roommate left Ohio State to open the Clio-Cola bottling plant. The company, however, was short-lived, and was dissolved in 1940 due to the product label and name being…

How listings management can benefit your company By Steve Guglielmo By now, we are all aware of just how important having a strong internet presence is for our businesses. Even if you don’t have an e-commerce platform, it is important that your company be visible online. Think about it, as a consumer, what is the very first thing you do when you need to buy virtually any new product? You search for it online. But what if you can’t find the information you need when you search? Or, worse yet, you find some information, but it’s inaccurate? Chances are, you’ll…

Former GAWDA Presidents Share Advice on Getting the Most out of Convention and SMC Networking is one of the greatest benefits of being a GAWDA member. And the two national meetings each year provide the best opportunity to combine networking and education. However, attending these national meetings means time away from your business. It means paying for hotels and flights. 2021 GAWDA President Abydee Butler Moore stressed the importance of bringing real take-home value home from each meeting that would justify the time and money invested in the trip. We had the opportunity to speak with five former GAWDA Presidents…

According to an article in the Butler Gas company newsletter: The Butler Gas Family salutes industry visionary Ken Thompson, and we thank him for his decades of service as Facilitator of our Buying and Information Group (BIG). A special evening was enjoyed by all as three generations of Thompson Family joined BIG Members in Charleston, South Carolina to celebrate the career of our group patriarch, Ken. Pictured, Jack Butler, Butler Gas Chairman, gives a toast to Ken. BIG is a best-practices group of twelve independent companies across the country. Butler Gas and our eleven company peers gather multiple times each…

Holston Gases is proud to announce the following promotions. Joe Baxter has been appointed Senior VP, taking on company-wide responsibilities. Mr. Baxter spent the last four years as the Kentucky region VP and has been with Holston for over 12 years. Replacing Mr. Baxter as the Kentucky region VP is Jason Blair.  He is a 26-year Holston veteran who comes to the Kentucky region after a very successful stint as the VP of the Alabama region. Matt Bird has been named the Alabama region VP.  Mr. Bird has over 15 years of industry experience and has been pivotal in the…