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Do you have specialty gas mixture personnel who are already comfortable making gravimetric mixtures but could benefit from advanced training? How about personnel who need to obtain the maximum performance from their gas chromatograph? If yes, consider Precision University as your go-to training source. Summer class registration is now open.
Register today!
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GAWDA’s Own “Dollars for Scholars” Drive Underway
Each year since 2011, GAWDA has conducted a campaign to raise contributions to its GAWDA Foundation Scholarship fund. That’s happening now, as the drive is underway in conjunction with the Spring Management Conference, where winners are announced.
The Foundation’s goal in hosting the program and fund drive is to promote education within the gases and welding industry, so the support of GAWDA members is needed to keep the scholarship program alive, says John Ospina, GAWDA executive director. After collecting member contributions, the Association matches up to $25,000 of the funds received each year to be able to keep presenting the awards.
The scholarships are available to children and employees of active GAWDA member companies. Awards are typically $2,000 each. Scholarships support recipients during their formal education and are given to help students pay for tuition costs.
Fifty-eight scholarships have been awarded since the program began. In 2013, 11 were awarded; in 2014, 15 were authorized and 14 scholarships were awarded. In 2015, 15 scholarships were authorized and 12 were awarded. In 2016, 10 scholars received funding. Last year, 11 scholarships were presented.
A total of $116,000 has been presented by the GAWDA Scholarship Foundation since the program’s founding.
Ospina said it’s important for members to continue their tradition of contributing funds so that the maximum number of students can be helped each year. “Your donation demonstrates to your employees and to fellow members your commitment to advancing education for the future of our industry,” he adds.
To donate to the scholarship fund, go to the GAWDA site and fill out the
contribution form
.
Information on eligibility for the funds is available on the GAWDA website
here.
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Air Products Exec to Keynote WGW Luncheon
Marie Ffolkes, president of industrial gases - Americas at Air Products, celebrates three years as an executive at one of the largest gas suppliers in the industry in May. As the keynote speaker for GAWDA’s Women of Gases and Welding Committee luncheon May 7, she’ll speak to an industry audience about her time heading one of the company's largest divisions, working in the welding and gases industry and offering insights about the industry’s future.
The annual luncheon is held during GAWDA’s Spring Management Conference (SMC). This year it is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 7, at the SMC in St. Louis. All GAWDA SMC delegates are welcome to participate in the luncheon. There is no fee, but attendees are asked to register their plans within the SMC event app or the GAWDA website.
Ffolkes is one of a small number of females in leading roles within the industry and is in charge of operational and profit sectors at welding and gases distribution companies in the U.S. She joined Air Products in 2015 and has full P&L responsibility for both North and South America. Her charge is to drive profitable growth. She oversees strategic initiatives involving customer relationships and the functions of safety, integrity, plant operations, distribution, supply chain, procurement, innovation, sales, marketing and regional operations. She leads 5,100 employees located at 271 plants and terminals around the world. In total, Air Products has 15,000 employees at more than 750 production facilities in 50 countries. The company has been in business for seven decades.
Ffolkes has 20 years of manufacturing experience. She previously served as global vice president and general manager of the Global Elastomer & Ride Performance Group of Tenneco Inc. Her career has also featured leadership positions at Johnson Controls Inc. and General Electric Company. She also serves on the board of directors for the Masco Corporation. She has an MBA from Columbia Business School and a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College.
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House Passes Vehicle Terrorism Prevention Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill last week to evaluate and address the threat of vehicular terrorism.
H.R. 4227, introduced by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), was passed by the House on a vote of 417-2 on March 22. There is no companion bill in the Senate at this time.
The House bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess the activities it is undertaking to support emergency response providers and the private sector to prevent, mitigate and respond to the threat of vehicular terrorism. It also directs the Department to submit to Congress within six months a strategy to improve efforts to support the work of emergency response providers and the private sector to prevent, mitigate and respond to such threats.
The bill does not require tracking of hazardous materials vehicles or any particular method to respond to terrorist threats. It does ask the DHS to provide recommendations on how to prevent, mitigate and respond to the threat of using vehicles for terrorism.
The
House Report documents the use of commercial trucks in recent years for vehicle ramming attacks by terrorists in the U.S. and worldwide.
PHMSA Seeks Info on Automated Technologies in Highway, Rail
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published a request for information on the development and potential use of automated technologies for surface modes (i.e., highway and rail) in hazardous materials transportation.
83 Fed. Reg. 12529 (March 22, 2018).
In anticipation of the development, testing and integration of Automated Driving Systems in surface transportation, PHMSA issued this request for information on the factors the agency should consider to ensure continued safe transportation of hazardous materials without impeding emerging surface transportation technologies.
In addition to a number of questions regarding the safety and regulatory implications on the design, testing and integration of surface automated vehicles, the PHMSA notice asked, “Under what circumstances do freight operators envision the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce using surface automated vehicles within the next 10 years?”
UCR Enforcement for 2018 Begins April 5
The Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors has recommended to the participating states that enforcement of the 2018 fees and registration requirements begin as of April 5, 2018. The registration process was delayed as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration did not publish the final rule on the new fees in the Federal Register as required.
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Contact Booth Program
is a Sold-Out Show
Again proving its popularity, the GAWDA Contact Booth Program for the Spring Management Conference has sold out all available spaces. Supplier vendors have reserved all booth spaces, and last week, the last of the tabletop display areas was filled.
GAWDA Executive Director John Ospina said this spring’s show represents an association success because it has attracted the largest booth and tabletop participation and the highest sponsorship level of any Contact Booth Program in the last five years. Delegate participation is high, too, with nearly 400 already registered to attend the May 6-8 event.
Vendors are now busy promoting attendance via the popular prize giveaway program. You can look for a special Exhibitors Guide to the Contact Booth Program and all the featured vendors in the upcoming Q2 issue of Welding & Gases Today.
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Sign Up for April Regionals
Two more regional meetings are on tap for the month of April. There’s still time to sign up to attend, so check this schedule and register via the
GAWDA website and GAWDA events app.
April 3 – 4
Destin, Fla.
Judy Miller (jmiller@wescoweld.com)
Location: Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
Tuesday, April 3
Reception
: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, April 4
Networking Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 am
Business Meeting
: Linkside Conference Center: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Golf Tournament at the Sandestin Baytowne Golf Course: 12:30 pm
Speakers:
Past President
Bill Visintainer of
Atlas Welding, presenting GAWDA News and Updates;
Bob VanKirk from
Linde, Industry Speaker; and
Keynote Speaker Dr. Jim Harris.
He'll talk about
"Embracing Change." In this fast-moving, informative yet fun presentation, Dr. Jim shares his simple, time-tested business model on how to lead people through both positive or negative change.
April 16 – 17
Houston, Texas
Ashley Madray
(amadray@gasinnovations.com)
Gary Degenhardt (gary.degenhardt@chartindustries.com)
Location: University of Houston Hilton
4450 University Dr, Houston, Texas 77204
Monday, April 16
Lunch and Golf; 11:30 am lunch, 1:00 pm shotgun tee off
Bay Forest Golf Club, La Porte, Texas
Reception: 6:30 pm, University of Houston Hilton
Tuesday April 17
Conference - University of Houston Hilton – 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Continental Breakfast prior to meeting
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GAWDA is pleased to welcome these new members to the association.
Distributor Members:
SEABOARD WELDING SUPPLY, INC.
2112 Kings Highway
Oakhurst, N.J. 07755
732-493-8100
FAX: 732-493-3122
www.seaboardfs.com
Brian Nowell, president
bnowell@seaboardws.com
Seaboard Welding Supply represents the following manufacturers: Linde Gases, Eutectic, Fibre-Metal, Smith Equipment, Jackson Products, Miller Electric, Tweco, Harris Calorific, Victor and Lincoln Electric.
REVELL SUPPLY GROUP
2502 Smith Bridge Rd.
Pearl, Miss. 39208
601-936-0008
FAX 604-939-0353
Tim Rooks, managing partner
Revell Supply Group has been serving industry, construction, municipalities, institutions, contractors and government customers since 1950. The firm has relationships with more than 2,000 manufacturers worldwide and offers an experienced, knowledgeable, professional staff. Value-added services include: unlimited sourcing, equipment demonstrations, safety and product education, custom installation services, and an in-house delivery fleet.
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Member News:
- Lincoln Electric Opens New Tech and Training Center
- Two Added to Horton Group’s Welding and Gas Team
- Acme Cryogenics Welcomes New Sales Manager
- AWS’ Pfarr Is AWISCO Women’s Luncheon Speaker
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Responsive Respiratory Adds Cardboard Cylinder Rack
Responsive Respiratory, of St. Louis, Mo., has introduced an economical alternative to a metal or plastic rack for the storage of cylinders in the patient’s home. Called Store ‘N Stay, the cylinder rack is made of heavy-duty, moisture-resistant cardboard. It features a simple set up with a pop-open, lock-in-place design for ease of use and durability.
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