Browsing: ANNIVERSARIES

 Welders Supply Company of Louisville Louis Wright, Sr. founded Welders Supply of Louisville in 1948. At the time, Wright was one of two local Airco reps in the Louisville, Kentucky area. The other Airco rep was given the opportunity to buy the Airco distributorship in Louisville, however he was not willing to make the necessary investment. And so, when the Wright’s decided to make the investment, they began a journey 75-years and counting. Today, Louis Wright, Jr., who began running the company in the 1970s, serves as owner of the company. As it was three-quarters of a century ago,…

The past three years have been difficult for all of us. From the depths of the pandemic, we returned to in-person business, but the “new normal” changed the way we worked. And now, as we deal with the fallout from the pandemic, including unprecedented inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages, it has, at times, been difficult to find things to celebrate. But through the gloom, GAWDA members have continued to persevere and thrive. This year, we recognize those GAWDA members who are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2022. Reaching these incredible milestones is impressive at any time. But it’s especially…

Minneapolis Oxygen was founded in 1946 by Henry Sahley. Henry was a former salesperson for National Cylinder Gas who decided to venture out on his own with one location and three employees. At the same time that Henry was getting Minneapolis Oxygen off the ground, about 100 miles south, Sid Falconer was beginning his career at Huber Welding Supply in Iowa. Eventually, Sid decided to move to Minneapolis, so, after a brief detour at a propane company in the Twin Cities, Sid eventually began to work with Henry Sahley and Minneapolis Oxygen. Three generations later, the Falconers are still involved…

GAWDA Members Commemorate Milestone Anniversaries By Steve GuglielmoIt doesn’t seem like there has been much to celebrate in 2020. The year will forever be remembered in history as the year that COVID-19 swept through the world and ground the global economy to a halt. Though most in-person celebrations have been put on hold until it is safe to gather in large numbers, many GAWDA members are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2020. Though the celebrations may be more muted than previous years, we would still like to recognize our members for reaching such important milestones in their history. Though times are…

A-L Compressed Gases of Spokane A-L Compressed Gases of Spokane is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2020. The company was founded in 1990 by Shan and Barbara Bush. The company began when Air Liquide divested its retail hardgoods and small cylinder business and established the ALNET distributor network. Shan Bush had held several positions with Air Liquide throughout the 80s and decided to go into business for himself. “A-L Compressed Gases has grown through the hard work and dedication of all of our employees, both past and present,” says President Brady Bush. “This includes Ken Wilson, our longest tenured employee.…

Worthington Industries Worthington Industries is celebrating its 65th Anniversary in 2020. The company came from humble beginnings. Founder John McConnell saw an opportunity for custom-processed steel and purchased his first load of steel by borrowing $600 against his 1952 Oldsmobile, and then used that money to start Worthington Industries in Columbus, Ohio. Today, Worthington is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WOR). But from its humble beginnings through its continued run of success, Worthington has always operated on the Golden Rule. Its mission statement says, “We treat our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders as we would like to…

Wise Telemetry Wise Telemetry is celebrating its 5th Anniversary in 2020. Eric Wise founded the company based on research he had done at Carnegie Mellon University. He was initially focused on remote monitoring for medical oxygen cylinders due to family members who needed oxygen therapy. Through partnerships with local economic development organizations, investors, and gas distributors, Wise began to expand its view to include other assets in the gas industry such as bulk and microbulk tanks. According to Founder and CEO Eric Wise, “There have been three keys to our growth. The first has been our dedicated team who strives…

Commercial Miscellaneous Sales Commercial Miscellaneous Sales President Louis “Louie” Centofanti grew up around welding. His father and grandfather owned a shipyard and Louie developed a love for welding. When Centofanti graduated from college, he was interested in pursuing a career in welding and industrial supplies. “In the area we live, we’re dominated by major welding and industrial supply companies,” says Centofanti. “There was an opening for an independent. So, my father sold his shipyard and came on board with me.” The company was started in 2005. Today, Commercial Miscellaneous Sales services both the industrial supply market as well as the…

BTIC America BTIC America Corporation was established in Houston, Texas, in 1995. The company was actually founded as America Fortune Company, but began selling high pressure gas cylinders from Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd. (BTIC). That relationship grew and blossomed and eventually led America Fortune Company to become a subsidiary of BTIC. Thus, BTIC America Corporation (BAC) was formed. BTIC is one of the largest cylinder manufacturers and distributors in the world, and, together, BTIC and BAC represent more than seven different manufacturing facilities, offering a wide range of products for every cylinder need. BAC prides itself on offering “the…

Michigan Arc Products Michigan Arc Products (MAP) was established in 1970 by James Colosimo, Sr. to provide state-of-the-art welding technology to improve the manufacturing capabilities of Automotive OEM and Tier 1 suppliers. MAP provided the automotive industry with a professional technical sales force coupled with a highly skilled engineering department designed to provide welding process and procedure development management at a competitive price. Today, MAP is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. It has become one of North America’s premier suppliers of all grades of welding wire, welding equipment, welding robotics and comprehensive welding solutions. With regional warehouses throughout the U.S., Canada…