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In 1968 Weldcoa was created to support a single Compressed Gas Distributor. 50 years later we are still on the same mission. Today, we support hundreds of Distributors throughout the world. Our new website is a reflection of how we work with Distributors to improve safety, productivity and profitability. Check us out at www.weldcoa.com

Last Call for Supplier Prizes For SMC ’18 Contact Booth Program 

Oh, those awesome prizes!

There’s a big stack of them piling up to be awarded at the GAWDA SMC Contact Booth Program.

The date is getting late to offer them, though. So, any suppliers who want to offer a prize at the Contact Booth program and haven’t done so already are asked to register that prize soon to take advantage of the best promotional opportunities. (You can still add a prize later, but you’ll miss many of the promotional announcements.) 

The Contact Booth Program takes place in St. Louis on Monday, May 7, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. 

You must be present when the drawings are conducted (from 4:10 – 4:30 p.m.) tp win.

Everybody loves prizes, and if you’re a supplier, they’re a proven way to boost distributor member traffic to your booth and pique distributor member interest in your products and services. Contact Tim Hudson at GAWDA Media ( [email protected] or 315-445-2347 x 114) today to register your prize offering.

Tariff Issue, Member CP Industries Get New York Times Coverage

How the federal administration’s new tariff policy on steel imports has begun to affect the welding and gases industry (at least in the area of cylinder production) — and how that has already impacted a Pennsylvania GAWDA supplier member — received prominent coverage in the New York Times last week.

The article, “ How Long Can We Last? Trump’s Tariffs Hit Home in the U.S .,” features comment from CP Industries CEO Michael Larsen and striking images of the company’s cylinder manufacturing process. The report points out that the tariff policy has resulted in a 25 percent add-on to the price of steel the company imports from China, adding costs to its cylinder prices. Larsen talks about how the firm’s Chinese rival may benefit and what’s on the company’s mind operationally.

…Speaking of Tariffs…



The second-quarter ITR Economics-produced “GAWDA Industry Analysis Report” that appears in the upcoming GAWDA Welding & Gases Today magazine contains an extensive look at the issue of the tariff, with charts and analysis of the anticipated impacts.

The Spring 2018 issue of the GAWDA magazine will be out at the end of April.

Celebrate! April is National Welding Month

The American Welding Society (AWS) is celebrating welding — its importance in society, its impact on the American economy and the people who are connected to the profession — throughout April. The AWS is a sister organization of GAWDA.

The AWS says the celebration provides “a chance to spotlight the welding industry’s past, present and future through education, mentorship and recognition." It suggests a number of events and ways to increase awareness of the profession and its importance in society. The site notes that the industry predicts “a shortage of over 200,000 skilled welding professionals by 2020. By spotlighting the opportunities available in our industry, we can create a better future for welding and the professionals that choose welding as a career.”

AWS offers a toolkit and presentation materials to help with your local promotions and celebrations. Check the website for more information.

Still Time for Your GAWDA Foundation Scholarship Support

GAWDA is still accepting financial support for the annual GAWDA Foundation scholarships program. The annual scholarship presentation will be highlighted as part of the Spring Management Conference, where the 2018 scholarship winners will be announced.

GAWDA has awarded about a dozen scholarships annually since the program began in 2011.

More information on how GAWDA members can support the educational efforts of co-workers and students who are interested in studying for careers in the welding and gases industry is located here. The online contribution form for donations is on the GAWDA website .

St. Louis Sightseeing Tours - Interesting Ones for the Taking

Those of you planning to attend the May 6 - 8 GAWDA Spring Management Conference in St. Louis might also be interested in taking pre-conference local sightseeing tours. 

Registration is being managed by a local tour company. A minimum of 30 participants is required or the tours will be cancelled. If you plan to attend, please sign up (the links are below) soon so it can be determined if the tours will happen or not. 

Gateway to St. Louis Tour - Saturday, May 5  

Visit the famous Gateway Arch, the mation's tallest monument, commemorating the gateway to the west for thousands of 19th-century pioneers.

CLICK HERE to register. 

Forest Park - Meet Me in St. Louis - Saturday, May 5

Enjoy the “wild side” of St. Louis at its 90-acre zoo, visit the Missouri History Museum at the Jefferson Memorial and the St. Louis Art Museum.

CLICK HERE to register.

  Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour - Saturday, May 5  

See the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery, learn about the rich history of the Budweiser Clydesdales and sample a variety of premium brands. Also includes a treat at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

CLICK HERE to register.  

GAWDA welcomes the following new firms to the association:

Distributor Members:

ACTION GAS & WELDING SUPPLY  

18415 Pasadena St.

Lake Elsinore, Calif. 92530-2793

951-639-3906

www.actiongas.net

Timothy Serviss, president 

[email protected]

Action Gas & Welding Supply offers a range of services, equipment and accessories. Welding gases range from carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, argon, nitrogen, oxygen, acetylene, helium and cryogenic liquids. The company also offers filler metals, abrasives, rentals, welding machines, cutting outfits, safety equipment and parts.

CENTRAL WELDING SUPPLY INC. 

3625 FM 2403 Rd. 

Alvin, Texas 77511-9288

281-388-1570

www.centralweldinginc.com

Randy Eubanks, director 

[email protected]

Jody Adkins, owner/president 

[email protected]

Todd Winters, sales 

[email protected]

Central Welding Supply Inc. has been providing service in and around Houston for more than 15 years. The firm delivers industrial gases and offers welding, safety and industrial supplies from locations in Alvin and Santa Fe and prides itself on same-day or next-day delivery. 

Suppliers:

A-GAS 

1100 Haskins Rd.

Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

419-867-8990; 419-867-3279

www.agas.com

Mike Armstrong, president and COO 

[email protected]

Robert Hennessy, chief commercial officer 

[email protected]

A‑Gas offers a variety of services in the fire protection and refrigerant industries, including recovery, reclamation, separation, destruction, technical data and laboratory testing. The firm also offers a wide selection of fire protection products to industries around the world. These include halons and clean agent alternatives, refrigerants and blowing agents.

COSEN SAWS INTERNATIONAL 

4527 Dwight Evans Rd. 

Charlotte, N.C. 28217-0902

704-943-1030

www.cosensaws.com

 

Peng Huang, president 

[email protected]

Kent Hughes,director of sales

[email protected]

Yu-Hsien Ho, inside sales and marketing manager

[email protected]

 

Since its establishment in 1976, Cosen has continued its growth to become one of the world’s largest professional band saw manufacturers. Today, Cosen manufactures more than 100 models, including manual, semi-automatic, automatic, NC and CNC sawing systems and from 200mm (8") to 2000mm (80") capacities. With a record of more than 82,000 band saws sold across five continents plus in Germany and Japan), Cosen’s markets expand internationally to more than 80 countries through authorized distributors for the metal cutting industry.  

LABEL SOLUTIONS INC. 

677 George St.

Marshfield, Mo. 65706

800-299-9200     

FAX 417-859-6851

www.easylabeling.com

Rob Freeman, director of business development

[email protected]

Label Solutions Inc. is North America's largest supplier of regulatory compliant cylinder labels. The company offers unique, pressure-sensitive product label solutions for manufacturing relating to packaging, fleet signage, efficient multi-SKU printing, FDA's new nutrition label formatting, product launch campaigns and compliance advisory services. The firm also offers label-to-surface testing services (i.e., extreme hot/cold, waterproof, condensation-proof, theft prevention and durability conditions).

Member News:

Metal Tamer Gloves Introduced  



West Chester Protective Gear announces an innovative, new product: the Ironcat Metal Tamer TIG welding glove. 

The company says the glove, which it calls the first of its kind, features a knitted shell for flexibility and breathability with a dotted silicone palm for outstanding dexterity and feel for the wire. The TIG gloves are lightweight and cut-resistant and can be worn all day long for activities from welding to moving metals. The business says the new model lasts four times longer than traditional leather TIG welding gloves.