BREAKING NEWS

Give Your Young Execs the Tools to Succeed

GAWDA is proud to present an exciting new program designed specifically for young professionals targeted for future increased responsibilities: The Young Distribution Professionals Conference, taking place August 5-8 at the Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, IL. This conference will expose your "up and comers" to the full range of key distribution issues and give them the tools to be more effective in their current position. It will also give them networking opportunities with other young professionals and increase their enthusiasm for distribution as a career. A complete brochure is available at this link.

GAWDA is co-sponsoring this event with AEA, the Association Education Alliance, a group of over 40 distributor associations from a variety of industries. Space is VERY LIMITED, so do not delay in registering if you are interested. Keeping employees engaged and inspired keeps them motivated, which is ultimately the key to your company's continued success. If you have questions, please contact GAWDA Executive Director Kent Van Amburg at 215-564-3484 ext. 2207.

Put Your Thinking Cap On

The 2007 GAWDA University SMC, taking place at the Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix, AZ, May 20-22, will present an educational program like no other. This year's program will showcase the expertise of GAWDA members, with Jim Earlbeck of Earlbeck Gases & Technologies leading a GAWDA member panel on Sales Management, and Kevin J. Brancato of AGL Welding Supply Company leading a member panel on Operations/Administration. In addition, former Southwest Airlines and Braniff CEO Howard Putnam will speak about leadership development, and the GAWDA consultants will present an update. You don't want to miss this opportunity for education and networking with the best in the industry. For more information, including a complete program and an online registration form, visit www.gawda.org.

Daylight Saving Time Comes Early

Don't forget that Daylight Saving Time will begin this Sunday, March 11, three weeks before its typical start date, as a result of legislation passed by Congress in 2005. Daylight Saving Time will also extend longer into the fall, ending on November 4.

Sharpen Your Edge

The latest issue of GAWDA Edge, the e-magazine for young professionals in the gases and welding industry, is available at www.gawdaedge.org. Read important safety tips for transfilling small carbon dioxide cylinders, learn how to become a better manager, sign up for GAWDA's Young Executives group, and much more. GAWDA Edge is also available in mobile and dial-up versions. And don't forget to visit the GAWDA Edge Forums to network with other up-and-coming industry professionals.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

March Safety & Technology Organizer Online • The March 2007 Safety & Technology Organizer is now available at www.gawda.org. Topics include Safety Topic: Electrical (General Requirements), Paintball Cylinders, USP/NF Activity Regarding Medical Gas Monographs, and Cylinders on Welding Carts.

NEW MEMBERS

GAWDA welcomes new Associate Members Computer Pundits Corp. of Bloomington, MN, Dyanco International of Dothan, AL, and The M.K. Morse Company of Canton, OH.

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

Harsco Corp. Pursues Divestiture of Gas Group (Harrisburg, PA) • Harsco Corporation is exploring the divestiture of its Gas Technologies business group, Harsco GasServ. The company says there can be no assurance that its decision to explore a sale of Harsco GasServ will result in any strategic transaction. Says Harsco Chairman and CEO Derek C. Hathaway, "Based on our experience, we anticipate that this process of finding a suitable new home for the Harsco GasServ group could take until the third quarter of this year to complete. During this time, we will continue to be focused on providing the highest level of service to our customers and partners."

A & B Supply Launches Propane Division (Lake Havasu City, AZ) • A & B Supply opened a propane division in January in an effort to further diversify its operations. The company purchased three propane delivery trucks, which are filled out of A & B Supply's Lake Havasu City fill plant. "We've always done a little bit of propane, but we hadn't done bulk delivery before, so this is a new experience for us," says Vice President John Hobday. "We did a lot of research beforehand and have worked on getting the word out, and it's taking off big."

AOC Upgrades Facilities (Harlingen, TX) • AOC broke ground this month on a new, 20,000 sq. ft. headquarters office in Harlingen, TX, and is in the process of adding a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse at its fill plant at the Port of Harlingen. The company also is constructing three new retail stores in Bay City, Laredo and northwest Houston, TX, in order to relocate the three branches already at those locations. The new stores, expected to be completed within the next year, are the final leg of a decade-long effort to update and streamline AOC's branch locations, incorporating similar physical characteristics and merchandising. "We've reached a point where all of our structures will be physically the same, so a manager can go to another store and find everything is in exactly the same place," says AOC President Bert Wolf.

Matheson Tri-Gas Expands (Basking Ridge, NJ) • Matheson Tri-Gas' first air separation unit in Vernon, CA, is shipping product to the industrial gas user market, and continued strong sales growth will accelerate planning to install additional capacity in Southern California. The company also announced plans to build a helium transfill facility in Irwindale, CA. The Irwindale transfill, which will be co-located with an existing air separation plant, will be the company's third helium transfill in the U.S. The Irwindale facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2007.

Air Liquide Presents Safety Awards (Houston, TX) • The American Air Liquide President's Safety Awards for 2006 honored one team from each of its primary subsidiaries for outstanding commitment to safety: Portland Acetylene Plant (Portland, OR), Air Liquide America L.P.; Pittsboro Depot (Pittsboro, IN), Air Liquide Industrial U.S. L.P.; LaPorte Air Separation Unit (ASU) (LaPorte, TX), Air Liquide Large Industries L.P.; and XFAB Total Gas & Chemical Management (TGCM) (Lubbock, TX), Air Liquide Electronics U.S. L.P. President's Safety Award nominees must meet a number of eligibility requirements and criteria related to health, safety and environmental responsibilities, as well as the implementation of site-specific best practices and those from across Air Liquide.

Praxair Expands Production Capacities (Danbury, CT) • Praxair, Inc. will expand its storage and industrial gas production capacities at its Kirtland, NM, facility. The expansion doubles the current storage capacity and increases production capacity by 100 to 150 tons per day over the next two years. "This phased-in expansion is in response to the growing demand by oil and gas production customers located in the San Juan basin in Colorado and New Mexico," says Scott Kaltrider, regional vice president, west region, North American Industrial Gases.

Lincoln Electric Forms Racing Agreement (Cleveland, OH) • Lincoln Electric formed a team-supplier agreement with Robert Yates Racing, home of drivers #38 David Gilliland, #88 Ricky Rudd and #90 Stephen Leicht. Lincoln will supply the team with a full range of welding and cutting equipment, technical training and welding application support. Lincoln is an exclusive NASCAR performance partner and regularly provides welding equipment, training and application solutions to a number of NASCAR teams.

Airgas Announces Price Increases (Radnor, PA) • Effective April 1, or as contracts permit, Airgas operating units will increase prices on packaged and bulk gases and other products. Prices will increase, on average, 15%-25% for helium and 10%-15% for packaged and bulk industrial gases. Effective immediately, Airgas also will raise rental rates for cylinders and bulk tanks and other delivery and service charges by 8-15% and will continue to pass along higher pricing for hardgoods and safety products.

GAWDA NEWS

Online SMC Registration Available • Don't wait until the deadline! Register early and save for the GAWDA University 2007 Spring Management Conference at the Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix, AZ, on May 20-22. Visit www.gawda.org to register online and for program details. You can also download the registration forms at the above link.

2007 Profit Survey • GAWDA Distributor Members are encouraged to participate in the GAWDA 2007 Profit Survey. Download the survey at www.gawda.org. Having problems completing the survey? Contact the Profit Planning Group at 303-444-6212 or GAWDA Headquarters at 215-564-3484.

GAWDA Calendar of Events • The industry meeting calendar has been updated through 2013. It can be viewed at www.gawda.org.

HR Report Available • The March 2007 HR Manager's Legal Reporter and QuickStep Trainer is now available for download at www.gawda.org.

Clearinghouse Updated • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for March. For more information, visit www.gawda.org.

2007 Regional Meetings GAWDA is looking forward to a successful year of Regional Meetings! Planning is underway and you will be updated as new meeting dates become available. Do you live in the Central Zone and would like to receive Regional Meeting announcements for meetings in the Eastern Zone? To fill out the form to receive additional announcements to meetings outside your zone, visit www.gawda.org.                2007 Regional Meeting Dates                ZONE DATE LOCATION REGIONAL CHAIR PHONE SE June 3-4 Hattiesburg, MS Sam Thompson Airgas South 678-776-0023 EA June 20 Boylston, MA Robert E. O'Brien Gas and Air Systems, Inc. 610-838-9625 or 610-462-7979   CE June 4-5 East Lansing, MI John DeHoust Baker's Gas 313-383-5690

WORKSHOPS, WEB CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

The Habit of Selling
March 20-22, Dayton, OH
Learn how to document value-added services, sell them to customers, build relationships, develop communication and people skills, and sell benefits and value in this seminar, presented by Don Buttrey. Work on a target account of your choice to gain practical, hands-on tools for better face-to-face selling, while networking with distributor salespeople from a variety of industries. Only five slots are available! Cost is $895 per person (includes 2 1/2 days of sales training, work binders, tools, worksheets and most meals). Download the program details and the registration form here.

2007 GAWDA University Compliance Update Seminar
March 27-30, Indianapolis, IN
Seats for this seminar are filling up quickly, with over 60 attendees already signed up! Don't miss out on your only opportunity this year to attend this vital training event. This year's session features a new seminar on crisis management and emergency planning, as well as our industry-leading compliance update training. Online registration is available at this link. Program details and the registration form can also be found at www.gawda.org.

Demonstrating Total Cost Savings
March 28, 1:00 p.m. ET
In this webinar, Tim Underhill of Strategic Business Solutions LLC will show you why customers need suppliers that can reduce their total operating costs, why you need to show your value, and how you can document your value quickly and easily. Registration is $149 per site. Online registration is available. For more details, visit www.gawda.org.

The GAWDA Connection is distributed on the 8th and 23rd of each month to all GAWDA members as a membership service of GAWDA, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association, 100 N. 20th Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19103-1443. Neither GAWDA nor Data Key Communications, LLC, their officers, directors, members and staff are responsible for contents or opinions other than those concerning Association activities.

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