Author: Steve Guglielmo

On March 27, 2020, the American Welding Society’s (AWS) Board of Directors announced Gary Konarska II as the organization’s new Executive Director and CEO. Konarska succeeded Ray Shook, who held the position for 15 years and who agreed to remain as Executive Director Emeritus for an interim period to ensure a seamless and successful transition. Konarska brings 20 years of experience in the welding and cutting equipment industry, where he worked with Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio. Most recently, Konarska served as Vice President, Global Automation, where he was responsible for 13 automation sites around the world and…

This year is a milestone year for GAWDA, as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary. Throughout 2020, we will be celebrating our roots, all while looking forward to ensuring that the next 75 years are as productive and impactful as the first. In the 1st Quarter 2020 issue of Welding & Gases Today, we ran a “Trip Down Memory Lane” 75 Years of GAWDA timeline on pages 50 and 51. In the 2nd Quarter 2020 issue, we revisited the formation and official founding of the National Welding Supply Association (NWSA), which would later become GAWDA, as well as looked back at…

F&M MAFCO is founded on the values of G.R.I.T. GRIT stands for: Goal Oriented, Responsibility, Integrity, and Teamwork. Those timeless values remain unchanged since the company’s founding in 1945. Those simple values, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit that still lives on in the company today, helped propel F&M MAFCO from two men in a garage re-selling Army Surplus supplies to a distributorship that today encompasses nearly 300 employees in 10 branches around the world. In September 1945, Robert McKenna, Sr. was discharged from the Army Air Corps. following World War II. McKenna and his wife, Mary, moved in with her…

The IWDC is pleased to announce that effective, Monday, July 13, 2020, Vic Wilson joined the IWDC, reporting to Keith Werkley as the Southern Regional Sales Manager. In this role, he will be responsible for promoting IWDC’s value proposition to the Membership as well as driving profitable growth of our Vendor partner brands and Weldmark® brand. During Vic’s 27-year career he has held several positions from Inside Sales to General Manager and Shareholder of an independent welding distributor. Vic was an IWDC Member and sat on the Marketing Committee for 9 years. Vic has extensive knowledge of welding, welding supplies…

Thirty young propane professionals, who were nominated by others in the industry, have been selected as Charter Members of the Young Gassers’ 30 Under 30 Program. Each of these young adults will receive a variety of assignments, perks, and recognition within the propane industry for their participation. This is the inaugural year of the 30 Under 30 Program. Created by the International Association of Young Gassers in conjunction with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Canadian Propane Association (CPA), the program is meant in invest in, engage, and encourage young professionals working for companies directly involved in the propane…

Messer, the largest privately-owned industrial gases leader, announced that the company recently won three industry awards for their new digital web presence in the Americas. Messer’s enhanced websites earned the following honors for 2020: AVA Digital Awards – Gold Winner for planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communication. MUSE Creative – Gold Award in the Corporate Website category; Silver Award in the Business-to-Business (B2B) website category. “These awards recognize our website as among the best in class for a corporate web presence in 2020,” said Gina Gibbs Foster, Vice President, Communications, Messer Americas. “The team at Messer is…

What began in 1945 as a one-man business based on a simple idea is now part of the industrial landscape: we’re talking about the Austrian family-owned company Fronius, which has grown over the past three quarters of a century from a regional repair shop to a global player in the fields of welding technology, photovoltaics, and battery charging technology. And it all started exactly 75 years ago on June 20. Günter Fronius set the ball rolling in 1945 when he started a radio and electrical repair workshop, beginning a story of success that continues to this under the stewardship of…

 Read Other June 15 Connection Items: In Memoriam: Ed Madison In Memoriam: Dennis J. Mahony In Memoriam: John “Jack” Miaskowski nexAir Named one of the U.S. Best Managed Companies by Deloitte Central Ohio Welding Company Moves to New Location Holston Gases Supports SpaceX Keen Compressed Gas Receives ISO Accreditation Lincoln Electric Introduces Excalibur® 7018 XMR™ Stick Electrode PDC Machines Hosts Third Webinar – Scaling The Hydrogen Economy with PDC Compression Learn about Gas Equipment Company’s Proud History Air Products Appoints Executive Vice President Dr. Samir J. Serhan as Chief Operating Officer FasTest Announces Major Rebranding

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Dennis J. Mahony, who passed away May 31, 2020. Noble Gas Solutions President/CEO J. David Mahoney wrote on the Noble Gas Solutions website: It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Dennis J. Mahony, President and owner of Albany Welding Supply from 1973-1986. I started my career with the Company in the summer of 1976, and worked under his leadership for the following 10 years before purchasing the business from him in 1986. Dennis was a great friend, a mentor and a very smart businessman. I learned…

GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of John “Jack” Miaskowski who passed away on May 29, 2020. John was in advertising/sales for over 50 years, 16 of them with CryoGas International (now gasworld) where, as Advertising Sales Manager he helped grow the magazine into the industrial gas and welding industry’s most respected business journal.  In the process of closing many deals, he made a legendary number of friends within that industry. John was the consummate sales professional who lived life to the fullest and was always willing to lend a helping hand and to offer a kind…