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The
New Software Choice
for Gas Distributors
For
a long time, gas distributors have been limited
to just a few choices when it comes to business
software. However, these options have been lagging
behind the pace of technology. At best a distributor
can—as one recently put it—do a "Windows"
dressing upgrade on their existing software. Leading
distributors are demanding more than this.
In
late 2005, a group of gas distributors asked TrackAbout®
to help them develop a new business software platform.
These distributors experienced how TrackAbout
had solved what until then had been an unsolvable
problem—a cylinder tracking system that actually
worked in the real world. They realized that if
TrackAbout could solve this, TrackAbout also could
deliver the effective business software solution
they needed.
The
key missing capability in business software from
outside of the industry is the ability to handle
cylinder rental and leasing. So TrackAbout set
out to build the 'ideal' rental system. Additionally,
they partnered with a strong business software
vendor from outside of the industry who was willing
to make the needed investment to provide their
software for the gas distributor, and ensure seamless
integration with TrackAbout.
TrackAbout
Rental
TrackAbout learned what distributors liked and
didn't like about their existing rental systems.
This information was used along with some fresh
thinking and technology innovation to build a
best-in-class rental module for the gas industry.
The TrackAbout Rental Module went live in early
2007. It can be used with or without cylinder
tracking and can be integrated into any business
system.
"The
TrackAbout Rental Module is working well for
us. We were able to recover revenue from customers
for cylinders that weren’t previously
accounted for. Our invoices are more accurate
and we do a better job managing our cylinder
assets. We saw a return on investment from
the rental module in less than a year."
Bob Ewing
VP of Sales and Operations
Red Ball Oxygen |
Enterprise
Distribution Software
TrackAbout and TECSYS®
announced a formal partnership in late 2006. TECSYS
has a strong track record of delivering powerful
enterprise distribution, warehouse and transportation
logistics software solutions. TECSYS has since
designed its world-class solutions around the
unique requirements that gas distributors have
today and for the future.
"By
utilizing our combined technology, distributors
with fixed and portable assets of all kinds
can quickly turn real-world data into actionable
information for better business control and
results."
Peter Brereton
President & Co-CEO
TECSYS |
In
the past year, a critical mass of distributors
have selected the combined TECSYS/TrackAbout solution
rather than upgrading their "old technology"
systems. The first of these distributors has started
the implementation process and will be going live
on the combined solution at the end of this year.
Before
you decide on upgrading your current system, give
us a call or stop by our booth at the GAWDA Annual
Convention for an update on our progress.
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BREAKING NEWS
Bob
Ames Reflects on His Year as GAWDA President
When GAWDA
President Bob Ames took office last fall, he promised
that his term would be devoted to "partnerships, relationships
and respect," and that's a promise he's been pleased
to deliver on.
"The
best memories I'm going to have of my year as president will
be the nine Regional Meetings I attended," Ames says.
"I've seen that partnership at the regional level is
just phenomenal." Ames is proud that the Executive Committee
made a point to send a representative to every Regional Meeting
held in 2007. "It's important that we reach out to our
members at the regional level," he says. "For example,
with the consultant video, we've brought the GAWDA consultants
to members who might not ever have seen or heard them before."
President
Ames is excited about both the immediate and long-term future
of GAWDA. He's looking forward to meeting with over 1,000
delegates at the Annual Convention in San Francisco next week,
and as his term draws to a close, he is confident that the
association will be in capable hands. "Over the last
couple of years, we've really seen GAWDA's Young Executives
step up to the plate, which I think is so special," he
says. "Just look at the age of our incoming president,
Gary Stoneback, and our next president-elect, Britt
Lovin. The Young Executives have their own organization
within GAWDA now, and I think GAWDA is in great hands with
its future leaders."
When GAWDA
members look back on Ames' year as president, he hopes they
will remember his legacy as one of partnership. "I hope
that somewhere along the line, more distributors begin to
realize that they now look at their suppliers as partners,
and that suppliers look at their distributors as partners,
where maybe they didn't before," he says. "If through
my message and my whole year of examples, they can look at
a supplier or a distributor and say, 'This person really is
my partner,' I will have exceeded the bar."
President
Ames is justifiably tired after a year of frequent travel,
the extent of which he's never experienced before, but give
him a bit of time to rest and he'd be glad to do it all over
again. "I've enjoyed every meeting, and I've enjoyed
every moment," he says. "I would encourage anybody
to experience what I did for a year. There is tremendous value
to what our association does, and it's been an honor serving
as GAWDA's president."
| A
Letter from President Ames |
| Please
follow
this link to read a special letter from President
Bob Ames about the many networking, educational
and social opportunities awaiting convention attendees
in San Francisco. President Ames and First Lady
Patty Ames look forward to seeing you there! |
|
Board
Members Conclude Terms
GAWDA
would like to thank the Board members whose terms expire this
fall for their dedication and service: Second Past President
Robert Thornton Jr. of South Jersey Welding Supply,
Supplier Member Vice President John M. Stropki of The
Lincoln Electric Company, Insurance Trustees Chair Dave
Weigel of Oxygen Service Company and Management Information
Committee Chair Rick Smith of National Welders Supply
Company. They have served well and the effects of their work
are seen throughout the association. Thank you!
Are
You Ready for San Francisco?
| "If
you're going to San Francisco," the classic song
advises, "be sure to wear some flowers in your hair."
That's not a requirement for GAWDA's 63rd Annual Convention,
taking place in San Francisco on September 15-19, but
there are steps you can take before your trip to
make the most of your time in the Bay City. Here are a
few suggestions: |
- Browse
the Advance
Registration List to see who else will be at the
convention.
- Study
the Contact Booth Program exhibitor
list and floorplan to map out the best route before
you even set foot in the Exhibit Hall.
- Read
the Guide
to Exhibitors in Welding & Gases Today
to learn more about who's who at the Contact Booth
Program.
- Make
your tax-deductible donation to GAWDA
Gives Back to help 2007 recipient Hamilton Family
Center continue its mission of ending homelessness
for families and individuals in San Francisco. (Read
this article in Welding & Gases Today
to learn about the specific program for which your
donation will be earmarked.)
- Get
insight on one of the Annual Convention keynote speakers
by reading Welding & Gases Today's exclusive
interview with Praxair's Ricardo Malfitano.
- Check
out Welding & Gases Today's list of San
Francisco hotspots to plan a route through the
city and get a taste of the local flavor during your
visit.
- Visit
www.sanfranshuttletours.com
or call the Westin
St. Francis Hotel Concierge at 415-774-0331 to
personally book a tour of San Francisco. (No GAWDA
Group Tour has been organized.)
- View
this
video invitation from President Bob Ames
and read his letter
to GAWDA members to learn more about what's in
store for you at the Annual Convention.
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| We'll
see you in San Francisco! |
Help
Your Career Take Flight
The latest
issue of GAWDA Edge, the e-magazine for young professionals
in the gases and welding industry, is available at www.gawdaedge.org.
Learn 7 tips to get you ready for convention, 6 cardinal rules
for customer service, and 4 danger signs to look for in your
equipment. Plus, read up on the history of GAWDA's Annual
Convention and find out how you can deepen your knowledge
of the gases and welding industry, even while taking to the
skies! 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.
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SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS
September
Safety & Technology Organizer Online
• The September 2007 Safety & Technology Organizer
is now available at www.gawda.org.
Topics include Poison/Toxic Gases Leak Response Guidance, Drug and
Alcohol Policy, OSHA Electrical Standard Updated and Annual Management
Program Review.
NEW
MEMBERS
GAWDA welcomes
new Supplier Member Bessey Tools Inc. of Leroy, NY.
INDUSTRY BEAT
(what
people are talking about)
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Dani Epstein |
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News
at AWISCO
(Maspeth, NY) • Dani Epstein accepted the position of
branch manager of AWISCO Corp.'s West Babylon, NY, store. Epstein
was promoted from her previous position of administrative assistant.
Says AWISCO President Lloyd Robinsion, "Dani represents
the new generation of young, 'home-grown' managers that are coming
up in our organization, and she has demonstrated tremendous growth
in a very short amount of time." AWISCO Corp. also announced
the acquisition of Associated Industrial Gases of Patterson, NJ.
The small, family-owned business served the northeastern New Jersey
market for 25 years. AWISCO will roll the customers into its West
Milford and West Orange, NJ, branches. Says Robinson, "Associated's
customer base is ideally situated between our two New Jersey locations,
and the acquisition will result in a natural expansion of our New
Jersey business."
WestAir
Receives ISO Certification (San
Diego, CA) • WestAir Gases & Equipment received formal
ISO 9001:2000 certification on August 29. Ron Savage, general
manager of WestAir, commended all members of the ISO task team at
WestAir who "worked so diligently to successfully complete
this important project in our continuing commitment to the highest
industry standards."
Airgas
Transitions National Welders into Wholly Owned Subsidiary
(Radnor, PA) • Airgas reached a definitive agreement with its
National Welders joint venture partners to exchange all preferred
shares of National Welders Supply Company for Airgas common stock,
which will transition the joint venture into a wholly owned subsidiary
of Airgas. Since 1996, Airgas has owned 100% of the joint venture's
common stock, with a 50% voting interest. The Turner family and
other owners of National Welders preferred stock held the balance
of the voting interest. National Welders President and CEO Andy
Cichocki will report directly to Airgas executive VP and COO
Mike Molinini.
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| Terry
A. Moody |
|
Thermadyne
Names Executive VP
(St. Louis, MO) • Thermadyne Industries appointed Terry
A. Moody as executive VP of global operations. Moody was formerly
employed by Videocon Industries, a manufacturer of high-end digital
products, where he served as COO and senior VP of Europe. "Terry
has extensive experience in all facets of operations and executive
management. He has a history of achieving results in a low-margin,
highly competitive industry where efficiency and cost effectiveness
are critical to success. I am confident Terry's experience will
contribute to the growing success of Thermadyne," says Paul
D. Melnuk, chairman and CEO.
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| SafTCart
Director of Marketing Jim Herring (r) presents the company's
donation to AWS Foundation President Ron Pierce. |
|
SafTCart
Presents AWS Donation
(Clarksdale, MS) • SafTCart donated $1,000 to the AWS Foundation
and has pledged to match the donation in successive years. The AWS
Foundation supports programs that ensure the growth and development
of the welding industry through strengthening research and educational
opportunities in welding and related industries.
In
Sympathy
Laura
Seitz, 89, who served as GAWDA's First Lady from 1969-1970,
passed away on March 17. Mrs. Seitz was the wife of Past President
Carl Seitz, former owner of Welders Supply Company-Beloit in
Beloit, WI. Following Carl Seitz's retirement in 1974, the Seitzes
moved from Wisconsin to Green Valley, AZ. Mrs. Seitz opened
an antique shop in Tubac, AZ, assisted by her husband, and the
two traveled across the Southwest, picking up antiques and enjoying
their time on the road together. |
GAWDA NEWS
Welding
& Gases Today Live Online
•
The Fall 2007 issue of GAWDA's member magazine, Welding &
Gases Today, is now online at www.gawda.org.
Discover how distributors and suppliers are "bridging the gap"
to form best-in-class relationships, and learn how you can improve
your own distributor-supplier partnerships. Plus, read the special
Annual Convention section to learn more about the Contact Booth
Program exhibitors, get the inside scoop on Industry Keynote Speaker
Ricardo Malfitano of Praxair, Inc., find out how your GAWDA
Gives Back donation will help families in crisis, and discover places
you don't want to miss during your visit to San Francisco. All this
and more is exclusively in Welding & Gases Today, in
print and online now.
Convention
Registration Is Ongoing •
Visit the Current Events page at www.gawda.org
to register for the meeting and for programming details. While on
that page, you can also make individual or corporate donations to
the GAWDA Gives Back program.
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(l-r) Bob Ames, Mike Duvall, Rick Hanchette, Tom Dunn
and David Hanchette found plenty to be excited about at
the Southwestern Zone Regional Meeting. |
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Southwestern
Zone Meets in Kansas City
•
On August 20-21, Rick Hanchette of Kirk Welding Supply, Mike
Duvall of Airgas and Tom Dunn of CeeKay Supply hosted
a Regional Meeting and Golf Outing at the Embassy Suites Hotel/Tiffany
Springs Golf Club in Kansas City, MO. The business session was well
attended by more than 140 people, including GAWDA President Bob
Ames, who gave a GAWDA update; GAWDA Consultant Joe Ellers,
who gave a sales overview; and Martha Thomas of the Institute
for Trend Research. View
more photos.
Eastern
Zone Meets in Gettysburg
•
On August 28, Doug Morton of Harsco GasServ hosted a Regional
Meeting and Golf Outing at The Links at Gettysburg in Gettysburg,
PA. The business session was attended by 75 members, including GAWDA
President Bob Ames, who gave a GAWDA update, Bill Koch
of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., who discussed "Securing
the Future of the Industrial Gas Industry" (download the presentation
on the Regional
Calendar page), and Dick Smith of Lincoln Electric, who
spoke about Hexavalent Chromium and OSHA changes. The golf outing
drew 68 members and the meeting raised a very impressive $2,000
for 2007 GAWDA Gives Back recipient Hamilton Family Center. Thank
you all!
View
photos.
HR
Report Available •
The September 2007 HR Manager's Legal Reporter and supplemental
QuikStep Trainer are now available for download at www.gawda.org.
Clearinghouse
Updated •
The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for September. For more
information, visit www.gawda.org.
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| 2007
Regional Meeting Dates |
| ZONE |
DATE |
LOCATION |
REGIONAL
CHAIR |
PHONE |
| W |
October
5 |
Lodi,
CA |
Rob
Kinney
Airgas |
916-759-6445 |
| W |
November
1 |
Orange
County, CA |
Paul
Cramer
Cramer Decker |
714-566-3850 |
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WORKSHOPS,
WEB CONFERENCES & SEMINARS
GAWDA
Webinar
Tuesday, October 9, 11:00 a.m. EDT
Mark your calendars for this free GAWDA webinar presented
by The Lincoln Electric Company. More information, including topic
and how to participate, will be available soon.
|
NAW
SmartBriefs
Top Stories from around the industry.
To
subscribe to free editions of NAW SmartBrief,
go to www.smartbrief.com/naw.
| (Click
on title to read full story.) |
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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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Privacy
Statement
GAWDA
HEADQUARTERS
100 North 20th Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1443
phone 215.564.3484 - fax 213.963.9784
gawda@fernley.com
Copyright
© 2007 Data Key Communications, LLC. All Rights
Reserved.
No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole
or in part
without written permission of the publisher.
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