BREAKING NEWS

DHS Issues Final Version of
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards
-- January 20 Deadline --

On November 20, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the final, updated Appendix A of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards. Download it here.

Does this apply to me? You must look at Appendix A and if you have any of the chemicals of concern on your property at any time in quantities at or above any of the Screening Threshold Quantities, then you are in this program. Not all GAWDA members will be in this program, but many of you will. Several of the gases we sell are on the list, i.e., poison gases or flammable gases like acetylene and propane.

If I'm in the program, what do I do? You must first register with DHS to receive your ID and passwords in order to have access to the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT). You register by clicking on the register link found on the CSAT Web page. You will be notified of your ID and password and then you will have access to and must complete the online Top Screen found in the CSAT.

When must I do this? If you are a part of the program (you have chemicals of concern that meet or exceed any of the screening threshold quantities), then you must complete the Top Screen in the CSAT within 60 days. The 60-calendar-day deadline starts with either Nov. 20, 2007—if you already have any of the chemicals of concern on your location at or above the screening threshold quantities; or within 60 calendar days if you have them in the future. Again, if you already have any of the chemicals of concern found in Appendix A that meet or exceed any of the screening threshold quantities shown, you have until Jan. 20, 2008, to complete and submit your Top Screen in CSAT.

How do I get out of this? You don't, unless you are either below or get below the screening threshold quantities shown in Appendix A before January 20, 2008. For propane only, facilities need not include propane in tanks of 10,000 lbs. or less when calculating whether a facility has a total inventory of 60,000 lbs.

This is a very complicated program. If you determine that you have chemicals of concern on hand that meet or exceed any of the screening threshold quantities shown in Appendix A, please contact GAWDA DOT Consultant Mike Dodd for help on the suggested next steps and please keep in mind the submission deadline of January 20, 2008. Mike can be reached at MLDSafety@hotmail.com or 573-785-5111.

Helium Shortage Gets National Attention

An in-depth story on National Public Radio (NPR) during the last week of November made listeners across the United States take notice of the growing shortage of helium. This past week in the December 3 edition, USA Today ran a story on page 3 about the crisis. In the article, "Shortage of helium gas no laughing matter," Leslie Theiss, manager of the Federal Helium Reserve located near Amarillo, TX, which distributes 45% of the supply in the U.S., cites NASA as the top industrial user of the gas, followed by the Department of Defense. Suppliers of balloons for parties, whom Theiss puts at "the bottom of the food chain for the gas" are also feeling the pinch. A customer in Alabama points to the rising cost of a helium tank from $18 in 2006 to $38 this year. Tight margins are forcing many dollar stores to stop selling helium balloons. Hans Stuart of the Bureau of Land Management says the reserve will run out of the gas in 10 years.

Report Shows Revenue and Market Growth

Profit Planning Group released its 3rd Quarter 2007 Industry Benchmarks Report. The median revenue for the reporting firms is around $6.7 million. While the report shows a decline in total revenue and overall market growth compared to 2nd Quarter 2007, it also points to YTD revenue growth of 10% over 2006 and 9.9% overall market growth. You can view the Report here.

The 1st Quarter 2008 issue of Welding & Gases Today magazine contains the industry's Annual Business Forecast. Distributors, Suppliers and other industry experts have much to say about the year ahead and their plans to meet all challenges. Don't miss it. Welding & Gases Today…in the mail and online at www.gawda.org December 15.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

December Safety & Technology Organizer Online • The December Safety & Technology Organizer is now available at www.gawda.org. Topics include How Well Do You Understand Forklift Safety?, Rare Gas Cylinder Decals and Shipping Papers, OSHA Issues PPE Final Rule, and Part 11, Electronic Records: Electronic Signatures (series) and Part 1: Background/Current Status.

NEW MEMBERS

GAWDA welcomes new Supplier Member Mettler-Toledo Inc. of Columbus, OH.

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

Frank Barker

Barker Appointed ETOX President (Tyler, TX) • Frank Barker was named president of ETOX, Inc., where he has worked for the past 22 years. Barker worked his way from route driver to branch manager, district manager, VP of sales and marketing, and has served as executive vice-president and COO for the last two years. He succeeds John Whiting, who passed away October 5, 2007.

Bruce Toyama

AWESCO Names New Sales Director (Albany, NY) • AWESCO named Bruce Toyama as director of sales and marketing. In this position, Toyama will be responsible for overseeing all of the company's sales and marketing efforts. Though new to the welding and gases industry, Toyama brings extensive sales and marketing experience to the position, most recently within the automation and robotics industry.

Kevin McEniry

Bill Proctor

Steve Atkins

nexAir Endorses New Leadership (Memphis, TN) • nexAir has named a group of young executives to lead the company. Kevin McEniry, who has been with the company since 1994, was named chief executive officer. Executive Vice President Bill Proctor was appointed president, and Steve Atkins was promoted to senior vice president gas marketing and product management. Robert G. McEniry, current chairman and CEO, will become chairman. As part of the transition, Robert McEniry, along with current president, Bill Vaughan, and CFO Scott Heppel, will become members of the Office of the Chairman. The new officer changes are effective immediately.

Albright Celebrates New Store With Grand Opening (Wooster, OH) • Albright Welding Supply held a grand opening for its new 10,000 sq. ft. store in Wooster, OH, on December 5-6. The store, located at 3132 East Lincoln Way, is located just west of the old 2,000 sq. ft. store, where the firm has done business since 1976. Corporate offices, gas production and warehousing will remain in the original building and will expand to fill the space vacated by the departments that moved into the new building. In addition to the store and counter sales, Albright's new building contains offices for the outside sales department, a meeting room for training and classes, a fully equipped product demonstration lab and the shipping/receiving department.

Matheson Tri-Gas Appoints Director of Marketing (Basking Ridge, NJ) • Bruce M. Adams joined Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. as director of marketing for the Electronic Specialty Gas group. Adams has held leadership positions in quality engineering, process engineering, R&D, technical support, marketing, global sourcing and business development. He also has extensive experience in international business dealings, including a three-year expatriate assignment in Japan with a Joint Venture. Adams is an active member in SEMI and the Electrochemical Society.

Five Most Popular Articles in Welding & Gases Today Online During the Last Two Weeks 40 Under 40 Interviews with the next generation of industry leaders. Partnering For Sales Success When money is tight, distributors need to uncover the customer's need and meet it. Living Legends Profiles of the association's past presidents. Distributors Having Fun Giving back to the communities where we work and live. South Jersey Welding Supply A work hard philosophy and focus on superior customer service are the keys to success, according to Robert Thornton Jr. in this member profile. Click on the titles above or here to view other articles in Welding & Gases Today Online

GAWDA NEWS

Chicago SMC Registration and Hotel Reservation Begins December 17 • GAWDA’s first Spring Management Conference (SMC) of 2008 will be held March 9-11 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in Chicago, IL. The Chicago SMC will feature speakers Alan Beaulieu with the Institute for Trend Research, Bob DeStefano from SVM E-Business Solutions, and a keynote address from the former Governor of Maine, Angus King. Program details and the registration forms will be mailed out the week of December 10. Starting that day, the Current Events page will contain the program brochure and registration forms for easy download. Online registration will open on Monday, December 17!

Hotel Reservations – Book Your Rooms! • A special GAWDA rate of $209, single occupancy, is available to conference attendees at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. This rate is available three days prior and three days after the conference subject to availability. Please make your reservation directly with the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on or before February 15, 2008 by calling 1-877-242-2558. When making your reservation, please be sure to mention the GAWDA conference rate of $209. Online reservations may also be made by visiting www.gawda.org.

2008 GAWDA Compensation Survey for Distributor Members • Hiring and keeping good employees is essential to the profitability of your business, especially in today's economy. To achieve that goal, you must consider your overall employee compensation plan—not just your pay scales, but your benefits program as well—in comparison to other firms in distribution. How does your firm's employee compensation package stack up in the industry? To help you evaluate your situation, GAWDA is co-sponsoring the 2008 Employee Compensation Study conducted by Profit Planning Group. Approximately 2,500 firms in over 35 distribution lines of trade will be participating.

To ensure a comprehensive report, we need your participation. Go to this page to download the survey and for additional information. The Excel format of the 2008 Employee Compensation questionnaire, which can easily be completed and submitted to Profit Planning Group, is available here. Questions? E-mail Malvenia Avery at mavery@fernley.com.

HR Report Available • The December 2007 HR Manager’s Legal Reporter is now available for download at www.gawda.org.

GAWDA Clearinghouse • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated.

GAWDA Announces Young Executives Education Partnership Program • GAWDA announced the creation of a Young Executives Education Partnership Program to support GAWDA’s growing Young Executives program, which provides educational programming and networking opportunities for young executives. A letter from President Gary Stoneback and Industry Partnering Committee Chair Mark Blakely and an outline of the program are available here, and a Young Executives Education Partnership Program registration form is available at www.gawda.org. Please consider this opportunity to support the Young Executives Program, while increasing the profile of your company among your peers and customers.

2007-2008 Dues Payment Reminder The 2007-2008 GAWDA dues renewal invoices were e-mailed and mailed to all Distributor and Supplier Members. Payments should be made as soon as possible. These dues cover the membership year from November 1, 2007, through October 31, 2008. For your convenience, dues can now be paid online at www.gawda.org under "Members Only." You will need your company's login information to access the online dues page. Please pay your annual dues promptly so that we can continue to provide you with the membership benefits you enjoy all year. Non-payment of dues will result in the loss of all member privileges beginning January 1, 2008. For questions about membership dues, please contact Director of Membership Kate Cole at 215 564-3484 or kcole@fernley.com.

WORKSHOPS, WEB CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

Online Sales Training
Joe Ellers’ Online Sales Training Q & A call from December 7 will be replayed on Tuesday, December 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The call number to access this replay is 405-244-5001. Your PIN code is 0587#.

Compliance Seminar Set – Space Fills Up Quickly!
The 2008 GAWDA Consultants Forum will be held April 1–4 in Indianapolis. Some exciting new programs and topics have been added for 2008. In addition to the GAWDA consultants covering the regulatory requirements that affect our industry, they will be discussing what’s new for 2008. Featured topics include a presentation on the new security regulations now going into effect, changes to DOT requirements, upcoming changes to the USP/NF medical gas monographs and how that will potentially affect how medical gases are analyzed, and an in-depth session on establishing and managing an effective lockout/tagout program—which is one of the leading OSHA violations today.

General registration will open on January 15, 2008. GAWDA members have the opportunity to put their name on the Consultants Forum waiting list. All individuals who sign up on the waiting list before December 20 will receive a $50 discount on the seminar fee. To get your name on the Consultants Forum waiting list, send an e-mail to training@brcompliance.com, with the words Consultants Forum in the title line, and list the names of the seminar attendees who would like to be on the waiting list. Questions? Call Ron Ball or Bob Yeoman at 610-868-7183.

GAWDA Sponsors University of Industrial Distribution
Register to attend the University of Industrial Distribution in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 2-5, 2008. Register early. This program was sold out the last 4 years! Visit this page to register online and for program details. For GAWDA members, the Early Registration Fee is $995 if postmarked, faxed or submitted online before February 1, 2008, a savings of $100.

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