Author: Steve Guglielmo

PHMSA ISSUES ADVANCE PROPOSED RULE TO REVISE HAZMAT REGULATIONS The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration of DOT has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on 46 different topics to “modernize” the Hazardous Materials Regulations.  Public comments on the notice are due October 3, 2023.  The comments to the ANPRM might be used to develop a number of proposed rulemakings. Several of the items are of particular interest to GAWDA members, including the following. Should Emergency Response Information be required to accompany shipments of hazardous materials? If not, what alternatives should be considered that maintain existing levels of safety…

OE Meyer Company Breaks Ground on New Mixed-Use Retail and Distribution Facility for Industrial Gases, Propane, and Welding Supply  OE Meyer Company, a leading industrial and specialty gas solutions provider, announced construction has commenced for its new mixed-use retail and distribution facility in Avon, Ohio. The facility marks a milestone for the company, signaling its commitment to expanding operations and enhancing service capabilities in Northeast Ohio. Designed to meet the growing demands of the commercial gas and propane industry, the Avon facility will serve as a hub for OE Meyer’s distribution operations in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties while providing a full-service…

Mississippi Welders Supply Company Announces Troy Elmer to Succeed Scott Myran as President MWSCO (Mississippi Welders Supply Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Troy Elmer to succeed Scott Myran as President of the company.  A rigorous internal and external search revealed that Troy was the right individual to carry the company’s legacy forward. Troy has been in the industry for 33 years, the last 23 with MWSCO. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge and deep appreciation of the company’s culture to the position.  A transition plan will be laid out to ensure a smooth handover, the backfilling…

Haun Welding Supply Partners With MACNY and Operation Next. According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn Page, Haun Welding Supply partnered with MACNY and Operation Next. Operation Next is a first-of-its-kind program in New York State that is providing soldiers transitioning out of the military (and their spouses) with a proven training program to prepare them with the knowledge and skills needed for various career pathways in advanced manufacturing. AOC Mexico Partners with Hebei Runfeng According to a post on the company’s LinkedIn page, AOC Mexico has partnered with Hebei Runfeng, a leading provider of cryogenic equipment. As a…

PHMSA to Hold Public Meeting on Hazmat Registration Fees.  The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration will hold a virtual public meeting on June 28, 2023 to solicit input on potential adjustments to its hazardous materials registration and fee assessment program. The fees, which are currently $250 for small businesses and $2,575 for large businesses (plus a $25 administrative fee for each), raise revenues that are used to fund hazmat emergency preparedness, response and related programs.  The amount of revenue that may be raised is capped by statute.  The annual fees may be adjusted if the revenue exceeds or falls…

GAWDA’s Safety Committee has been working on developing new infographics for all of GAWDA’s Safety Documents on the association’s Member’s Only page. Recently, the committee released a new infographic discussing the importance of joining the GAWDA/CGA program. See below for more information on how to join and more information about “Navigating the Roadmap of Safety & Compliance.” Click the image to download the infographic.

Holston Gases Acquires Superior Dry Ice Holston Gases completed the acquisition of Superior Dry Ice, which has operations in Cartersville, Georgia. Holston Gases will continue to operate from the Superior Dry Ice location at 3439 Hwy 411. Holston Gases President, Robert Anders, said, “We are very pleased to add Superior Dry Ice to the Holston family. Combining the customer base and production capability of Superior Dry Ice with the resources of Holston will allow Holston to expand its dry ice distribution into central and south Georgia.” Superior Dry Ice owner, David Simpson, agreed that the businesses are a great match.…

American Welding & Gas (AWG) announced that it had welcomed Coastal Welding Supply to the AWG team. The announcement read: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome the over 200 teammates of Coastal Welding Supply and its related affiliates to our AWG family.  Currently led by Chuck Mazoch, Barbara (Mazoch) Nelson, and Tom Johnson, Coastal is one of the most well-respected, high-quality producers and distributors of gases and welding supplies in the United States.  Known for its operational excellence in the industrial, medical and specialty gas fields, Coastal’s commitment to its vast customer network across the Gulf Coast and…

Like most companies that have lasted for 110 years, ILMO Products Company bears little resemblance to the company founded in 1913. When D.O. Floreth and his father, Henry Floreth, decided to open their doors, the company was a wholesaler of automobile accessories called Illinois Tire and Vulcanizing Company. Later, as the company evolved, it began going by Illinois Tire & Battery. It was through the automobile industry that today’s ILMO Products entered the gas business. “[ILMO] got into the gas business through the carbide acetylene headlights for automobiles,” says Executive Vice President Liz Standley. “We slowly transitioned from automobile accessories…

CK Supply Acquires Welds Supply, Inc.  In a press release on its company website, CK Supply Inc. announced that it had acquired Welds Supply Inc. “We couldn’t be more excited and appreciative about the opportunity to combine forces with Welds Supply Inc. as our teams mutually share a dedication to the customer and product knowledge expertise that is unmatched in our region” stated Brad Dunn, Executive Vice President of CK Supply Inc. The Welds Supply Inc., property located at 5654 NW Riverpark Dr., Riverside MO will continue to act as the primary destination for the region’s experts in metal fabrication,…