Charlie Wright (center) accepts the 2007 Small Business of the Year Award from representatives of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Wright Brothers Named Small Business of the Year (Cincinnati, OH) • The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber honored Wright Brothers as one of the region's best small enterprises at its annual Small Business Excellence Awards Luncheon on May 23. CEO Charlie Wright was presented with the honor for his company's business achievements, management, product innovations, service, technology and community service. "It's a great honor to be recognized as a leader in the greater Cincinnati community," says Wright. "This award is a testament to the quality work we do, both locally and nationally. Cincinnati has provided us with the talented employees who have helped our company to grow and excel."

Cramer Decker Opens New Facility (Santa Ana, CA) • Cramer Decker Industries significantly expanded its Eastern warehousing and distribution operations. The company's new facility is located at 8350 Bristol Court, Suite 109, Jessup, MD 20894, and can be reached at 301-776-9292. Cramer Decker Industries' Eastern
operations are overseen by General Manager Ken Meyer.

ATTC Acquires Precision Products (Bradenton, FL) • The American Torch Tip Company purchased the Precision Products Company of Canaan, NH. Precision Products specializes in manufacturing plasma torches and consumables used primarily in the metal fabricating industry. The acquisition will give ATTC an expanded product line and increased manufacturing capability.

OTC DAIHEN Opens New Branch (Tipp City, OH) • DAIHEN Inc. opened a new facility in Novi, MI. The facility serves as a sales branch for the company's Michigan staff and includes an application development center for both robotic and hand welding application demonstrations and development.

Bigham Joins Matheson Tri-Gas (Basking Ridge, NJ) • John Bigham was appointed director, Helium Product Management & Global Logistics for Matheson Tri-Gas. He will have responsibility for helium product management in the United States, helium sales to non-U.S. wholesale customers and global logistics. Bigham joins Matheson Tri-Gas after
11 years with BOC.

US Tank Breaks Ground on New HQ (Bradenton, FL) • US Tank and Cryogenic Equipment will move its business operations from Bradenton, FL, to a new 48,000 sq. ft. facility in Lewisburg, TN. "This move will allow us to become more centrally located in the country, helping our distribution and enhancing our service and reach to the industrial gas and medical markets we serve," says President Tim Miller. The company expects the move to be complete by November 2007.

WELDING FUME LITIGATION

Judge Sets Three Welding Fume Cases for Trial • U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen McDonald O'Malley has set three welding fume cases in the Multidistrict Litigation in federal court. The trial for plaintiff Jeff Tamraz will begin November 5, 2007, in Judge O'Malley's court. Tamraz was selected from a pool of randomly selected plaintiffs chosen for pretrial preparation. He was diagnosed with manganism by a doctor other than Paul Nausieda—the defendants have questioned the diagnosis techniques of Dr. Nausieda. In addition, Tamraz will be tried under the law of California, which has different product liability laws than other states where welding fume claims have been brought.

Judge O'Malley also set a January 28, 2008, trial date for plaintiff Robert Jowers, who worked at Ingalls Shipyard and filed suit in Mississippi. His claims arise under Mississippi law, but Judge O'Malley did not decide whether his case would be tried before a jury in court in Mississippi or in another court.

Finally, Judge O'Malley set a third case for trial beginning July 14, 2008, with the plaintiff to be determined by the court at a later date. The plaintiff will be selected from a pool of 100 claimants.

GAWDA NEWS

Eastern Zone Holds 2007's First Regional Meeting • On May 30-31, Lloyd Robinson of AWISCO hosted the first Regional Meeting and Golf Outing of the year at The Tropicana Hotel & The Links at Brigantine Beach in Atlantic City, NJ. Eighty-two members enjoyed the meeting, including GAWDA President Bob Ames, who gave opening remarks. Jim O'Connor of Norton Abrasives talked about store merchandising and BOC's Terry Hall addressed the state of the industrial gas business today. Sixty-one members participated in the golf outing, including winners Adam Konrad of American Compressed Gases (longest drive) and Mike West of TriWeld (closest to the pin). The 50/50 raffle winner was Bernie Hickey of Northeast Pressure Vessel Testing. Members viewed a video showing interviews with GAWDA Consultants Bob Yeoman and Rick Schweitzer, who addressed important issues facing our membership today.

Southeastern Zone Meets in Hattiesburg, MS • On June 3-4, Sam Thompson of Airgas South hosted a Regional Meeting and Golf Outing at the Canebrake Club House and Golf Club. Nancy McAfee of 3M gave an update on the current status of Hexavalent Chromium (Chrome 6), followed by John Stropki, chairman & CEO of The Lincoln Electric Company, who presented an update on Lincoln Electric and its position in the industry, as well as where the industry is headed. Sixty-four members participated in the golf outing, including winners Ronnie Puryear of Southern Welding Supply, Tripp Tuggle of ArcOne and Jim Appledorn of The Lincoln Electric Company. Members enjoyed a Networking Cookout featuring catfish and ice cream with peaches. One member stated, "This is the best program we have ever had." Follow this link to view more photos from the meeting.

Central Zone "Gives Back" • On June 4-5, John DeHoust of Baker's Gas and Welding hosted a Regional Meeting and Golf Outing at Timber Ridge Golf Club in Lansing, MI. The business session was attended by 102 members, including GAWDA President Bob Ames, who gathered to hear GAWDA President-Elect Gary Stoneback of Metro Welding Supply Corporation, who focused on membership, and John Stropki, chairman & CEO of The Lincoln Electric Company, who addressed the state of the welding industry. Ninety members enjoyed networking at the Cocktail Reception the night before the meeting. The golf outing drew 102 members, including winners John Small of Pooch Welding Supply, Steve Clark of KC Welding Supply, Al Stark of Norris Cylinder Company and Bill Asbury of Manchester Tank & Equipment Company. A "Silent Auction" to support 2007 GAWDA Gives Back recipient Hamilton Family Center raised a very impressive total of $20,140. Thank you to everyone involved! Follow this link to view more photos from the meeting.

Annual Convention Update

Give Back to Help Homeless Children and Families • President Bob Ames and his wife Patty have chosen the Hamilton Family Center as the 2007 GAWDA Gives Back recipient. Hamilton Family Center is the largest provider of shelter and support services for homeless children and their families in San Francisco, offering case management, counseling, educational and recreational programs for children, aftercare services, housing referral, advocacy and financial assistance to hundreds of families each year. Please visit this page to read more and to donate to the GAWDA Gives Back program. Convention Schedule Online • GAWDA's 63rd Annual Convention will be held at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, CA, on September 15-19, 2007. This year's theme is "A Golden Opportunity to Bridge New Partnerships." View the tentative schedule of events at the Current Events page on GAWDA's Web site.

2007 Regional Meetings Register now for a Regional Meeting near you! Meet with customers and suppliers, network with your peers, and get some insight on the industry. It's an unbeatable value! Do you live in the Western Zone and would like to receive announcements for Regional Meetings in the Eastern Zone? To fill out the form to receive additional announcements to meetings outside your zone, visit www.gawda.org. The regional calendar will be updated as new meeting dates become available.                2007 Regional Meeting Dates                ZONE DATE LOCATION REGIONAL CHAIR PHONE CE July 12 Indianapolis, IN Gary Halter BOC 317-562-9060 CE July 20 Naperville, IL Hector Villarreal Weldcoa 630-806-2000 W July 25-27 Union, WA Dan Enz Gordon Sales Co. 360-705-2391 SE July 29-30 Southern Pines, NC Kent Buzard CTR 803-324-8101 CE August 2 Columbus, OH Jim Smith DeLille Oxygen Company 614-444-1177 SE August 12-13 Birmingham, AL Gregg Waltman Linde Gas 205-322-9990 CE August 15-16 Watertown, SD Cindy Day Smith Equipment 605-882-8268 SW August 20-21 Kansas City, MO David Hanchette Kirk Welding Supply 816-221-3040 CE August 21 Merrimac, WI Brad Peterson Mississippi Welders Supply Company 507-454-5231 EA August 28 Gettysburg, PA Doug Morton Harsco GasServ 717-443-0752 W October 5 Lodi, CA Rob Kinney Airgas 916-759-6445

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