Author: Steve Guglielmo

In a post on the company’s LinkedIn Page, Butler Gas announced that Chelsea Smilak has been promoted to Director of Customer Service. “As a 2nd-generation associate, Chelsea grew up around Butler Gas and worked part-time before beginning her full-time career in summer 2018. For the past 7 years, Chelsea has been building connections and relationships with our valued customers. She continues to be based in New Brighton, running business administration and inside sales at the branch, and has now expanded her responsibilities to lead all things service and customer relationship management.”

American Welding & Gas, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of Grant Hagberg Co., located in Griffith, Indiana, effective May 14, 2025. The Griffith, IN location strengthens AWG’s presence in the Midwest and complements our expanding network of gas and welding supply operations across the region. We are excited to welcome the experienced and dedicated Grant Hagberg Co. team to the AWG family. Their long-standing reputation for customer service and operational excellence aligns with our values and strategic goals. This acquisition underscores AWG’s ongoing commitment to partnering with strong, community-focused businesses and ensuring continuity for their customers and employees.…

On Friday May 30th, the industry saw industry stalwart, Charles Ross, enter his next career phase, retirement. Charles most recently was Vice President of Procurement at Welsco in Little Rock Arkansas. Charles has been an active participant in GAWDA, the American Welding Society and Fabtech. He has been a key contributor to the Airco Distributor Association, Linde Distributor Association and he Messer Distributor Group, providing leadership with their supplier relationships. Within the industry, Charles is best known for his leadership and enthusiasm to support young adults in his home state, as the leader of the annual Arkansas Welding Expo. Charles…

According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn Page, Norco, Inc. was named one of the Top 7 mid-size companies in Idaho – Recognized by employees and ranked on Forbes’ 10th Anniversary Best Employers List! “This achievement reflects our incredible team, whose hard work, dedication, and passion make Norco an amazing place to work and grow,” the company said. “Thank you to our Norco family — this honor is truly yours!”

According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn Page, Kimberly Morgeson was named the new Director of Credit & Collections for American Welding & Gas. “A proud Southeast Texas resident since 1996, Kimerly joined Coastal Welding in 1997, beginning in the Collections Department and quickly discovering a passion for Accounts Receivable. Over the years, she advanced into the role of Accounting Manager and also took on key responsibilities in IT, including leading critical software and ERP system upgrades.” With more than 28 years of industry experience, Kimberly works closely with Accounting, Operations and Sales to support the success of the…

Lampton Welding Supply is excited to announce the entry into direct bulk gas distribution, with a fleet of Nitrogen, Oxygen and Argon tankers, which began to arrive earlier this month. These asset enhancements will be deployed across the region for the purposes of geographical expansion and redundancy of supply and support for existing customers. “It’s one thing to be seen as a capable and reliable supplier, but the shift towards more vertical integration and independence, pushes the Lampton organization forward from a previous framing of existence supplier, into one that can more accurately be described as dominant and superior, mirroring…

Lampton Welding Supply is excited to announce the opening of two new locations. First is the relocation, expansion and renovations for its northernmost store, located in Beatrice Nebraska. Additionally, Lampton has added its 17th location to the business, with an opening in Joplin Missouri, which provides Lampton with multidirectional growth penetration points eastward. This location is designed as a “Supply depot” and not the typical retail location. Its core mission is to provide a 100% item fulfilment rate to its customers, as Lampton Welding Supply has proven in other markets. “These expansions are important elements of our growth trajectory. Customers…

During the 2025 GAWDA Spring Management Conference, GAWDA recognized this year’s GAWDA Scholarship winners. The GAWDA Scholarship awards $2,000 to 15 students that are connected to our community. The goal of the scholarship is to invest in the future of our industry. Since the program launched in 2011, GAWDA has awarded more than 173 scholarships totaling close to $143,000. The GAWDA Scholarship was created in 2011 for the purpose of providing support to recipients during their formal education. The amount available varies from year to year. The GAWDA Scholarship is available to children (18+) and employees of active GAWDA member…

Fourth-generation leaders Josh and Erich Haun are doubling down on the culture that helped build the company. Nearly seven decades in, Haun Welding Supply continues to strike a balance between honoring its legacy and charting a forward-looking path. Officially incorporated in 1958, Haun’s story actually starts decades earlier. In 1930, Orval Haun was building welders for U.S.L. Battery Co. in Niagara Falls. A decade later, he moved to Syracuse to help launch welder manufacturing for the Syracuse Owen-Dyneto Co. There, he and a colleague devised a new, more efficient way to build welders. When management passed on the innovation, Orval…

According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn page, Wright Brothers, Inc. commemorated its 75th Anniversary on April 15th. The company first opened its doors on April 15, 1950. “From our humble beginnings, we have evolved into a leader in Industrial Gases, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with innovation, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.” Check out the LinkedIn post below to see the company’s original grant opening announcement from 1950. In the Q3 2020 Issue of Welding & Gases Today, we had the opportunity to profile Wright Brothers when they were celebrating their 70th anniversary. Check it…