Author: Steve Guglielmo

Noble Gas Solutions, a family-owned industrial gas and welding supply company that has been a staple in the Capital Region for more than 80 years, today announced its expansion to Glens Falls. Located at 15 Third Street in South Glens Falls, this facility will be the third location for the industrial gas and welding supplier. The 6,000 square-foot space is comprised of a storefront retail area, as well as offices and warehouse space to store medical, specialty, industrial and consumer gases. “We are excited to finish renovations and give this new location the Noble touch,” said J. David Mahoney, President…

According to a press release from Butler Gas Products: We have some exciting new updates to share regarding our New Brighton location, which is home to our acetylene manufacturing facility. The New Brighton store will be open to the public Monday through Friday, beginning on March 8th, from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, followed by daily exclusive access for business accounts with will-call-only from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.  Will-call appointments can be arranged by calling (724) 847-2065 and speaking with John Proano, Account Executive and New Brighton Sales Manager. We are thrilled to announce the promotion of our New…

DOT Secretary Testifies on Infrastructure Priorities.  Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg testified on March 25 before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the administration’s priorities for infrastructure legislation. The secretary’s testimony did not include any specifics on the administration’s approach to transportation infrastructure programs or how to finance them.  (President Biden separately said that the administration’s infrastructure package will be made available March 31.)  But Secretary Buttigieg said that the country faces a trillion dollar backlog of needed repairs and improvements in infrastructure. The prepared testimony and response to questions from committee members had repeated themes of addressing…

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Ron Pierce, who passed away on Thursday, March 18, at the age of 87. Ron was a former president of AWS and served as Chairman Emeritus of the AWS Foundation. His obituary can be read in full below: Ronald Carter Pierce, 87, a resident of Daphne suddenly passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Joyce A. Pierce of Daphne, AL; four children, Jeffery (Rhonda) Pierce of Pensacola, FL, Judy (Bill) Miller of Gulf Breeze, FL, Gregory (Sabrina) Pierce of Daphne, AL,…

FMCSA Hosts Analysis, Research and Technology Forum.  On March 10, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hosted its annual Analysis, Research and Technology Forum to highlight the agency’s ongoing research and analysis dedicated to improving motor carrier safety. The forum heard presentations from FMCSA staff on trends in commercial motor vehicle safety, agency enforcement efforts, policies on automated commercial motor vehicles, and FMCSA research activities supporting those efforts. The FMCSA Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics was referenced as a source for data on truck inspections, operational mileage and crashes by type.  The guide also includes the most…

Red Ball Oxygen honored employees who came to the rescue during the winter weather emergencies. For their handwork, Red Ball awarded them its Winning with Teamwork Award. These employees represents the true spirit of teamwork and how dedicated Red Ball is to its customers and to one another.

The AWS Foundation offers four National Educator Scholarships, ranging from $2,500 – $4,500. ➡ Deadline is April 1st, apply today! https://t.co/TfjbsiaCnF 🔹#americanweldingsociety #weldingisAWSome #welding #welder #stem #scholarship pic.twitter.com/mKoIPBTZRR — AWS.org (@AWSHQ) March 3, 2021

F&M MAFCO, a leading international supplier of tools and equipment rental, sales, and service programs, announced the opening of an expansive facility in Kansas City, Missouri. This recent opening comes three months after the opening of its Evansville, Indiana facility. According to Tim Fries, COO of F&M MAFCO, “We are very excited about the opening of our Kansas City facility. It gives us an important foothold in the region as we grow our strategic tool management programs across both our current and prospective customer bases.” He added, “Both our StrikeForce and NEXT S.T.E.P. complete tool management outsourcing programs continue to…

Holston Gases is proud to announce the ground-breaking of a $3,000,000 construction project at its Kentucky region headquarter in Louisville, KY. Holston will be expanding its current site by building a Welcoa-designed fully automated cylinder fill plant. This project will double the size of the current facility while significantly increasing its specialty gas capabilities. The new facility will improve Holston’s capabilities to service its current customers across its 10 Kentucky locations while allowing for future growth and expansion into the lower Midwest. 

By Gary Konarska, Executive Director and CEO of the American Welding Society (AWS) During times of crisis, good business leaders control the factors they can, adapt readily and plan for life post-crisis. Our industry successfully controlled its destiny by ensuring that welding, cutting and related companies were deemed “essential businesses.” As a result, comparatively more workers retained their jobs. One might think the pandemic temporarily alleviated the shortage of skilled welders, but it actually exacerbated it in many instances, such as when one person testing positive required an entire department to self-isolate. Lack of a stable workforce has hindered organizations…