Author: Veronica Westfall

In 2005, engineer Robert Niven attended a United Nations summit on climate change, where he witnessed a global demand for solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Inspired by the summit, Niven considered the applications of waste emissions in the construction industry and founded CarbonCure, a CO2 utilization company with a mission to reduce the carbon footprint of the concrete industry. His solution? To turn waste carbon dioxide into a valuable commodity — concrete. How Does it Work? The CarbonCure Technology injects a precise dose of liquid carbon dioxide into ready-mix concrete and concrete masonry products, chemically converting the CO2 into a…

It’s that time again. 2018 is behind us, and we approach the new year with a sense of optimism and renewed energy. It’s also time to ask our GAWDA members what they expect in 2019. This year, we asked members what they envision for their companies, the industry and the emerging marketplace. Read on to see what your fellow GAWDA members anticipate on the road ahead. THE QUESTIONS:   What do you expect in the coming year at your company? Are you celebrating an anniversary, opening a new branch, opening a new line of business or transitioning to new ownership?…

Run an internet search for cryotherapy and you will see many celebrities and pro athletes touting the benefits of this treatment. From athletic recovery to anti-aging, the advertised benefits keep growing, and it seems the whole country has now hopped on the arctic bandwagon. While it sounds exotic, cryotherapy is simply the use of low temperatures to provide physiological benefits. In the 1970s, whole body cryotherapy (WBC) was developed in Japan as a method of treating rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. It involves the immersion of the body in a cryotherapy unit, with only the user’s head outside of the…

You placed an online order for $70 yesterday and just now, your phone pinged with the satisfying notification that your package has shipped. The bottom of the email includes a tracking link. Knowing full well that the package won’t arrive for at least 48 hours, chances are, you click on it anyway. Why? When you have already ordered and paid for something, it’s just nice to know where it is. It gives you a measure of control, and as a consumer, you have come to expect this level of accountability in any transaction. Now imagine that you are a distributor…

With medical marijuana now legal in 30 states, the cannabis business is booming across America, with a thriving niche market for distributors. There are several gases used in cannabis production: propane for CO2 generators, gas CO2 for emitters and a variety of gases used in extraction systems. According to Jana Nelson, president of OXARC, Inc., the legalization of marijuana in Oregon and Washington state has opened a big market for gas distributors, and supplying CO2 to cannabis farmers is now a significant portion of OXARC’s business. The Role of CO2 in Plant Processes Carbon dioxide is essential to plant processes.…

Many people think of trade shows as mostly fun for the customers, who are likely to be wined, dined and wooed by suppliers, but when you consider the cost of attendance and the importance of careful and economical purchases, both sides have an equal stake in making the most of a trade show experience. According to the Association of Event Organizers, 87 percent of business directors agree that it is easier to communicate face-to-face rather than on the phone or via email. GAWDA’s Contact Booth Program offers members a unique opportunity to connect with both sides of the welding and…

CGA to Offer Technical Webinars The Compressed Gas Association has announced its first series of technical webinars on the history of acetylene and its properties and handling calcium carbide. The series begins with three one-hour webinars on: General History of Acetylene and Its Properties, Part 1 (October 18) General History of Acetylene and Its Properties, Part 2 (October 25) History and Current Practices for Handling Calcium Carbide (November 1) The cost is only $25 per person/per webinar. Register for all three and save 20%. Save even more if your company registers four or more employees. Audience level: Non-technical/entry level (little…

Phoenix International Offers New Flux Oven Phoenix International is now offering the latest in flux oven technology — the 250FX. Phoenix flux ovens are designed for long-term storage of bulk flux to provide a consistent flux temperature throughout the oven chamber. This new product offers a modern design that ensures easy dispensing. Dick Wilkinson, managing director, described the 250FX as “a new option for submerged arc welding.” The 250FX has a 250-pound flux capacity and a temperature range up to 750 degrees F. It offers a digital thermometer and adjustable digital thermostat. The 250FX is 3,000W, 110/220V and has a…

Phoenix Teams Up with JMC to Expand Presence The Phoenix Company, parent company of Phoenix International, has announced a new partnership with JMC Capital Partners of Boston, Massachusetts. George Wordingham, president and fourth-generation owner of Phoenix has announced his retirement and confirmed the sale of his share of the company to JMC. “I’m happy to be putting Phoenix in a position for long-term growth while also preserving the importance of its history in the industries we’ve served for decades. The trust our customers have in us is something money can’t buy, so it’s important to everyone to keep this story…

Weldcote Metals Introduces Low-Manganese Stick Electrodes Weldcote Metals, Inc. has introduced WCM low-manganese emission shielded metal arc welding electrodes. The new patented Weldcote line has a unique flux composition that supplies weld metal with a significantly lower manganese content, decreasing manganese vapor emissions by as much as 60 percent in comparison to standard electrodes. The WCM low-manganese product line is available in three AWS classifications: E-6011, E-6013 and E-7018. “Our low manganese product lines are the answer that the industry has been looking for,” said Joe O’Mera, CEO, Weldcote Metals. “This solution is in response to the increasingly demanding environmental safety…