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2023 Business Forecast Distributor Forecast   Jump to the Supplier Forecast Growth Ahead in 2023 But Uncertainty Abounds Economic headwinds like inflation and supply chain shortages temper expectations. By Steve Guglielmo Every year in the 1st Quarter Issue of Welding & Gases Today, we reach out to all GAWDA members to try to get a sense of the economic landscape for the upcoming year. We speak not only to GAWDA distributors and suppliers, but also to GAWDA’s Chief Economists at ITR Economics, and sister organizations American Welding Society and the Compressed Gas Association. Taken together, we can paint a complete picture…

GAWDA 2022 Annual Convention Recap GAWDA AC 2022 recap View the photos from the GAWDA 2022 Anual Convention. If you would like a High-Res version of any of these pictures, email Steve Guglielmo at [email protected].  Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Watch the GAWDA TV 2022 convention recap episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6t9On76gRY&ab_channel=GAWDATV

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…

SMC 2022 Photo Galleries SMC 2022: Women of Gases & Welding Mixer SMC 2022: New Comer’s Reception SMC 2022: President’s Welcome Tailgate SMC 2022: General Business Session SMC 2022: Educational Sessions SMC 2022: Contact Booth Program SMC 2022: Booze Brothers Mixer

Ask Your Board is a new feature that will run in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Quarter issues of Welding & Gases Today. The purpose of Ask Your Board is to ask common business questions that all GAWDA members might be dealing with and to see how GAWDA’s Board of Directors are dealing with these issues within their own companies. To submit a question for GAWDA’s Board Members to consider, please email [email protected]  THE QUESTION As the industry is facing a “labor shortage,” what has your company done to combat this issue? How have you found success in recruiting and…

The term “Made in the USA” is one that is familiar to everybody. We’ve seen it on packaging. We’ve seen it in commercials, usually accompanied by flags waving, baseball in the background and apple pie coming out of the oven. And research suggests that the term does more than evoke feelings of patriotism. It can actually drive consumer spending and habits. But the term “Made in the USA” and other similar claims, like “American Made,” are more than just branding and sloganeering.  Made in the USA is actually a federally protected designation from the Federal Trade Commission.  According to the…

Members of GAWDA’s Member Services Committee Discuss the Biggest Member Benefits of GAWDA The following is an excerpt from the June 1 episode of GAWDA TV. Watch the episode here: For the June 1 Episode of GAWDA TV, we had the opportunity to speak with members of GAWDA’s Member Services Committee to discuss the biggest benefits that come with GAWDA membership. Aside from the networking and education that take place at the SMC, Annual Convention, and Regional Meetings, membership in GAWDA comes with a whole host of other benefits. So, whether you are looking to take more advantage of your GAWDA…

By Mike Marks and Dan Horan, Indian River Consulting Group Customer expectations have been changing for years, and the COVID-19 pandemic simply magnified and accelerated them in 2020. Being on the defensive is only a strategy if you want to lose slower. For distributors who are willing to play offense, there are three major trends to watch and take advantage of in 2021. B2B customer expectations have changed online Customers are no longer happy to only have a basic online buying process; they expect their experience to be as good as the experience in their everyday B2C life. As a…

After a difficult year in 2020, most distributors expect to see growth in the new year Every year in the 1st Quarter Issue of Welding & Gases Today, we reach out to all GAWDA members to try to get a sense of what the year ahead has in store. We talk to GAWDA distributors and suppliers (page 46), as well as the Chief GAWDA Economists at ITR Economics (page 68). This year, in an effort to paint an even more complete picture, we also spoke to the American Welding Society (page 56), CGA (page 58) and Consultants Buzz Campbell and…

By Steve Guglielmo, John Ospina, Abydee Butler Moore, Bob Ewing, Gary Halter and Robert Anders We have spent 2020 celebrating GAWDA’s 75th Anniversary. We have shared fun memories, reflected on GAWDA’s founding, its road to independence and everything in between. But 75 years is not the end of GAWDA’s story. Not by a long shot. As we near the end of 2020, we asked GAWDA’s current President Abydee Butler Moore, Executive Director John Ospina, and the next three presidents in line, to answer some questions about GAWDA’s history and what they expect to see as we continue our march forward.…

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…

According to the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 5,250 workers died on the job in 2018, an average of more than 14 deaths every day. It is a tragedy that nobody wants to think about. But a good company must be prepared for how to respond when tragedy strikes. Tragedy, of course, can take many forms. It does not necessarily need to be a worksite death, as cited above. It could be a non-fatal accident (2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in 2018), or a natural disaster like a fire, earthquake, hurricane,…

Despite calls for a slow first half of the year, GAWDA distributors look ahead to 2020 with confidence. Each year in the 1st Quarter Issue of Welding & Gases Today, we survey the industry to try to determine what can be expected from the economy in the coming year. To do this, we have solicited not only distributor and supplier member expectations, but also spoke with the Chief GAWDA Economists at ITR Economics to hear their perspective (page  68.) These three perspectives, combined with the in-depth ITR Quarterly Report (page 72-83), all help paint a picture of what the economy…

2020 is a milestone year for GAWDA. It is the year we celebrate our 75th Anniversary. The association has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 1945. And while we celebrate our storied history, GAWDA continues to look forward to ensure that the next 75 years are as successful and prosperous as the first. Much of that success begins with the GAWDA Board of Directors. These association leaders are on the front lines of the industry and are able to take the issues facing our industry and help to craft an effective strategy for the association. Members of…

Consistent with what the GAWDA distributors projected, GAWDA suppliers are also predicting modest growth in store for 2020. While the disparity of answers varied a little bit more widely among the suppliers, the consensus was for continued, albeit slowing growth in store for 2020. Also consistent with the distributors projections was a fear of election year softness and the continued impact of trade barriers and tariffs. However, even with those fears looming over 2020, most suppliers still projected growth ahead. The following are responses from GAWDA suppliers across North America about what they expect to see in 2020. Thank you…

by abydee butler moore, brad peterson, ned lane, mark raimy, bill visintainer and tom biedermann At the 2019 GAWDA Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. Abydee Butler Moore officially ascended to the position of president of GAWDA. After the ceremony, which saw her get escorted to the stage by the GAWDA Past Presidents in attendance, Abydee laid out her “2020 Vision” for the association next year. However, the guided escort to the stage was more than a symbolic gesture. The past presidents who guided her to the stage have all stood where Abydee was about to stand and dealt with many…

GAWDA members celebrate milestone anniversaries and share lessons learned during their years of service to the industry by Steve Guglielmo GAWDA has marked 2019 “The Year of Service.” For this issue, Welding & Gases Today interviewed those GAWDA members who were celebrating milestone anniversaries about their history of service to the gases and welding industry. Learn about how these members have helped shape our industry and how they will apply the lessons learned from the past to continue to serve the industry in the future. 220 Years PFERD, Inc. 115 Years ESAB Welding & Cutting Read More Federated Insurance Read…

Promoting the safe operation and economic vitality of distributors of industrial gases and related welding equipment and supplies is GAWDA’s mission. Providing educational and training opportunities within that industry tops the organization’s list of ways to accomplish this. One of the current challenges our nation faces is a shortage of skilled workers — in particular, welders and fabricators. With welding an integral part of so many manufacturing processes, from building tunnels to launching spacecraft, trained and certified welders are critical to our economy. GAWDA is well aware of the talent shortage, and a unique training facility in California called Workshops…

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?…

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.…