Author: Steve Guglielmo

In Memoriam: Dirk Van Dongen GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Dirk Van Dongen, the esteemed former CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), who passed away. The NAW announced the passing of Dirk in a press release on its website. “I often told Dirk Van Dongen that he was a living legend. Throughout his four-decade tenure, he transformed NAW into a powerhouse in Washington. Dirk mentored generations of trade association leaders, including myself,” said Eric Hoplin, CEO of NAW. “He played a pivotal role in electing hundreds of members of Congress, all while advising…

Central McGowan Announces Acquisition of Bemidji Welders Supply, Rapids Welding Supply, and Red River Welding Supply According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn Page, Central McGowan acquired a group of strong family businesses that has been in business for 78 years:  Bemidji Welders Supply, Rapids Welding Supply, and Red River Welding Supply. “Established in 1947, Bemidji Welders Supply has provided the communities in Northern Minnesota and North Dakota with quality welding gases, supplies, rental equipment, and safety products for decades. Both Brian and Scott Hartje of Bemidji Welders commented, “When we decided to investigate selling our family business, we…

DEA Issues Proposed Rule to Reschedule Marijuana to Schedule III Controlled Substance.  The Drug Enforcement Administration has released a proposed rule to transfer marijuana from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) to schedule III of the CSA, consistent with the view of the Department of Health and Human Services that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use as well as DHHS’s views about marijuana’s abuse potential and level of physical or psychological dependence. The CSA requires that such actions be made through formal rulemaking on the record after opportunity for a hearing. DEA says that if marijuana is…

Airgas Acquires Buckeye Welder Sales and NLR Welding Supply, Inc. Airgas announces the acquisition of Buckeye Welder Sales in Newton Falls, OH effective February 1, 2024 and NLR Welding Supply, Inc. in North Little Rock, AR effective April 1, 2024. These transactions will enable a step-change improvement in capabilities and service reach to key markets in Eastern Ohio and Central Arkansas, respectively. Our new locations in Newton Falls, OH, North Little Rock, AR, and Conway, AR will continue to offer a full range of industrial gases and welding supplies, servicing current and new customers in their respective areas.  With these…

CK Supply Begins Search for Next President CK Supply is looking to hire a new President. This marks the first time in its 75-year-history that CK Supply has posted the position of President. “As part of a formal leadership succession plan developed by our Board of Directors and in preparation for an eventual retirement of Ned Lane, current President of 25 years, a nationwide search begins for who will be the 5th President since Paul Dunn purchased the company in 1955. Big Shoes to Fill!” To learn more about the job posting, click here. Red Ball Oxygen Opens 22nd Branch…

Department of Labor Issues Final Rule Increasing Threshold for Overtime Exemption – The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has issued a final rule that will increase the threshold compensation amounts for employees to be exempt from requirements for overtime pay. The rule will go into effect July 1, 2024. Employees are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime protections if they are employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity, as those terms are defined in the Department’s regulations. To fall within the EAP exemption, an employee generally must meet three tests:…

In Memoriam: Elizabeth Morgan GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Elizabeth Irene Morgan, who passed away on February 13, 2024. A devoted wife and mother, Irene worked tirelessly alongside her late husband Louis A. Morgan in the family business, City Carbonic, LLC, where her contributions were invaluable. Irene’s dedication, hard work, and unwavering support were instrumental in the success of the business. Irene is survived by her two daughters, Tammy Eskew and husband John Ray, Amy Bruecks and husband Don Bruecks; and grandchildren, Hayley Goodger and husband Ryan Goodger, Jacob Bruecks, and Clara Bruecks. She will…

OSHA Issues Final Rule on Employee Representation During Inspection.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a final rule, effective May 31, 2024, allowing employees to authorize a representative to accompany an OSHA compliance officer during an inspection of their workplace. According to OSHA, the final rule clarifies that workers may authorize another employee to serve as their representative or select a non-employee. For a non-employee representative to accompany the compliance officer in a workplace, the representative must be reasonably necessary to conduct an effective and thorough inspection. OSHA further states the rule clarifies that a non-employee representative may…

In the 2nd Quarter Issue of Welding & Gases Today, Hobart Filler Metals, an ITW Welding Company, wrote a Sponsored Article outlining strategies for GAWDA Distributors in selling the Hercules™ Automated MIG Welding System. Every aspect of welding is a package deal. For quality welds, you need the right gas and wire for the job, as well as the appropriate torch and complementary components. To protect the welder, you need safety gear like gloves, a helmet and a jacket. To do it right, you need a bundle of products. The same goes for your customers. They need the right bundle…

In the 2nd Quarter Issue of Welding & Gases Today, TrackAbout spoke with four GAWDA distributors who discussed ways that they were able to save themselves and their customers time and money by keeping visibility on their cylinder assets with TrackAbout. One common challenge among GAWDA distributors is keeping visibility on cylinder assets throughout their lifecycle. Not having software in place to track and maintain cylinders can lead to lost inventory, shortage of cylinders to fullfil customers on time, lost cylinder rental revenue, and an inflated cylinder inventory which is an unnecessary cost to burden. Bottom line, cylinders are expensive and…