Author: Steve Guglielmo

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Victor Arthur Suhr who passed away on October 18, 2021. Vic, as he was affectionately called, was a kind, loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to a large family who will miss him dearly. On June 14, 1932, Victor was born on the family farm in Cochrane, WI to Arthur and Julia Suhr. Vic spent his youth working on the farm where he learned the value of a strong work ethic that he carried throughout his entire life. There was never a more committed employee which he exemplified in…

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to protect workers of employers with 100 or more employees from the risk of contracting COVID-19 by strongly encouraging vaccination. Under the ETS, covered employers are given two options: They must develop, implement, and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy; or They must adopt a policy requiring employees to either get vaccinated or elect to undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work in lieu of vaccination. The ETS will be published in the Federal Register in the next several days. According to a…

FMCSA Directs States to Use DACH Data on CDL Records. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a final rule directing State Driver Licensing Agencies to access and use violation information obtained through the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to bar drivers from obtaining CDLs. 86 Fed. Reg. 55718 (Oct. 7, 2021). Specifically, the final rule provides that State Driver Licensing Agencies must not issue, renew, upgrade, or transfer a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit for any individual prohibited under FMCSA’s regulations from performing safety-sensitive functions, including driving a commercial motor vehicle, due to one or more…

When it comes to the welding industry, reports commonly cite outdated statistics or inaccurate information. To be the industry leader in statistical data, the AWS Foundation launched Welding Workforce Data, a website dedicated to sharing accurate welding workforce statistics and projections. Approved by the American Welding Society, the Welding Workforce Data website is powered by Emsi labor market data, CareersInWelding.com, and the U.S. Department of Education College Affordability and Transparency lists. The site shows projected welding needs and welder opportunities and is designed to become the trusted source for the industry as a whole. “WeldingWorkforceData.com will be the go-to source…

Red Ball Oxygen announced that Nick Brown has been promoted to Vice-President, Operations. Red Ball Oxygen is a distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and welding supplies with 23 locations in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Mr. Brown, originally from Lufkin, Texas has been with the company since 2008.  He has served in a variety of roles, including Inside Sales Representative, Branch Manager, Area Manager, and has been a vital part of the Purchasing team. He has also provided essential leadership on the company’s safety, quality, and enterprise software teams. “As we continue to grow and add products and…

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.…