BREAKING NEWS

Registration Opens for 64th Annual Convention

Members can now register to attend GAWDA's 64th Annual Convention, taking place at the Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas, on September 21-25, 2008. Visit the Current Events page of www.gawda.org to register online for the Convention, Contact Booth Program and Golf Tournaments. You can download the Registration Form, Exhibitor Application, Golf Tournament and Gives Back donation forms at the same link. You can also make an individual donation to the Gives Back Program online. It’s faster, easier and much more convenient! Corporate donations, as well as individual donations to GAWDA Gives Back, can be made by filling out the donation form and faxing it to GAWDA Headquarters.

NEW MEMBERS

GAWDA welcomes new Distributor Member Northern Welding & Supply Co. of Wausau, WI, and Supplier Member DataOnline LLC of Berkeley Heights, NJ.

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

(from right): Wright Brothers’ CEO Charlie Wright, Specialty Gas Division Manager Hayes Sharber, and Specialty Gases & Equipment Specialist Roza Vilner.

Wright Brothers Receives Accreditation (Cincinnati, OH) • The ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation was recently given to Wright Brothers. This accreditation is the main standard used in laboratories with testing and calibration technology. With the assistance of Maine Oxy-Acetylene Supply Company, and as part of the PurityPlus Specialty Gas producer network, Wright Brothers is one of the first members of the Independent Welding Distributors Cooperative Inc. (IWDC) to obtain the ISO/IEC 17025:2005.

Terry Singleton

Ronald Phillips

WESCO Promotes Two (Prichard, AL) • WESCO Gas & Welding Supply promoted Ronald Phillips, a 29-year veteran of the company, from service manager to director of the company's AWS Test Facility, where he will manage the Weld Laboratory, testing and certification of personnel and welding procedures. Terry Singleton was promoted to service manager, responsible for overseeing the company’s Service & Repair Center in Prichard, AL. Singleton has worked at the company for 17 years in technical sales and service manager positions.

Eddie Paul works on a real-life version of "Lightening McQueen" from the Pixar movie Cars.

Hypertherm Celebrates 40th Anniversary (Hanover, NH) • To mark Hypertherm's 40th anniversary, Founder Dick Couch and Vice President of Human Resources Barbara Couch toured cities in South America to celebrate with customers and associates. On June 18, a commemoration took place at company headquarters in Hanover, NH. Hypertherm products are currently being used by well-known car customizer Eddie Paul to prepare characters from Pixar’s Cars for a tour of Europe.

Linde Has Eye on Acquisitions (Murray Hill, NJ) • Linde Group Chief Executive Officer Wolfgang Reitzle told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting in Munich, Germany, on June 3 that the company is actively looking for new acquisition targets, with an emphasis on small and medium-size companies. Although Reitzle did not specify a timeframe for any deals to take place, he said the company could spend $315 million to $473 million on takeovers. Linde is integrating former UK rival BOC Group, which it bought in 2006 for 12.4 billion euros. It plans to reach maximum synergies from the deal next year.

nexAir Expands to Atlanta (Memphis, TN) • nexAir acquired Specialty Gases Southeast of Atlanta, GA. nexAir plans to expand Specialty Gases Southeast’s existing services in the Atlanta market, such as medical, industrial and specialty gases and introduce its own beverage and dry ice businesses. nexAir now operates in 14 southeastern states.

Hydrogen Station Opens in Belgium (Brussels, Belgium) • The first hydrogen filling station in Belgium opened in Brussels on June 3. The Linde Group developed the technology for storing the low-temperature liquid hydrogen at the station, which is located along the Paris-bound carriageway of Belgium’s E19 highway and operated by French oil and gas company Total. Linde supplies nearly all of the world’s liquid hydrogen filling stations. The advantage of liquid hydrogen over compressed gaseous hydrogen is that it has a significantly higher energy density, meaning that it requires less energy to transport from production facilities to filling stations and requires less storage space.

Air Liquide Building New Plants (Paris, France) • Citing demand growth, Air Liquide will spend $171 million to build two production plants for liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen and liquid argon. The facilities, in Germany and Portugal, will open in late 2009 or 2010. On a related note, Air Liquide said it was raising prices on all liquid and bottled gases in Europe to cover higher energy and transportation costs.

Airgas Buys Oilind Safety and Refron (Radnor, PA) • Airgas signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and operations of Energy Safety Services Incorporated, dba Oilind Safety, a provider of rental safety equipment and safety services based in Phoenix, AZ. The business generated about $21 million in revenues in 2007. The company will operate as a stand-alone company within a new Airgas organization that includes construction and rental businesses. This new division will be headed by Jack Appolonia, formerly an area vice president with Airgas East.

Airgas will also buy Refron Inc., a national reseller and distributor of refrigerants that also provides technical services and refrigerant reclamation services. Refron has locations in Long Island City, NY, Baton Rouge, LA, and Long Beach, CA, and generated $93 million in revenues in 2007. Refron will be integrated with Airgas’ existing refrigerant and reclamation business into a new company, Airgas Refrigerants Inc. to be headed by Chuck Broadus, formerly president of Airgas Specialty Products. Broadus continues to report to Airgas’ Gas Operations Division President Ted Schulte, who will also become president of Airgas Specialty Products, which will focus on its industrial ammonia and process chemicals businesses.

Red Ball Donation Helps Police (Shreveport, LA) • Red Ball Oxygen Co. donated $30,000 to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana to buy an automatic license plate recognition system. “Our father instilled in us a great sense of responsibility toward our community and the men and women who serve to protect us,” Red Ball Chairman and CEO Gary Kennedy says. Using license-plate scanning infrared cameras mounted on police cars, the system notifies deputies within seconds if a vehicle is stolen or if its driver has outstanding warrants.

Toll Company Names McGrath Chairman (Plymouth, MN) • Toll Company named Thomas McGrath chairman of the board in May and promoted James Quicksell to succeed him as president. Quicksell was formerly vice president of human resources and credit. Chuck Allard was named vice president of operations; Robert Kurvers was named vice president of sales and marketing; and Eric Nordman was named vice president of customer service.

Thomas McGrath

James Quicksell

Chuck Allard

Robert Kurvers

Eric Nordman

G & E Welding Supply Expands (New Castle, DE) • G & E Welding Supply Company doubled its physical space with a mid-May expansion. The company leased a building adjacent to its 2,500 sq. ft. store and plans to use the new space—also about 2,500 sq. ft.—for warehouse and yard storage.

Akihiko Egami, president of Kobelco, and Art Robbins, president of Frost & Sullivan, North America

Kobelco Recognized for Leadership (Stafford, TX) • Frost & Sullivan, a business research and consulting firm, presented Kobelco Welding of America with the 2008 Excellence in Product Line Leadership Award. The award was in the stainless steel tubular wires division. Criteria for the award are based on market share, rate of adoption among end-users, consistent quality, technical support, timely deliveries, product features, product portfolio and brand recognition.

GAWDA NEWS

Southeastern Zone Meets in Birmingham • On April 13-14, Gregg Waltman of Airgas South hosted a Regional Meeting and Golf Outing in Birmingham, AL. There were 129 Distributor and Supplier members registered. Speakers included Shirrell Roberts of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, Tim Neeser from Chart Industries, and GAWDA Executive Vice President Jenny McCall of WESCO Gas & Welding Supply. While 73 attendees were registered for golf following the meeting, severe weather conditions—including rain, wind, sleet, snow and blue skies—deterred some from playing. Approximately 38 golfers made it to the end, at which point there was a tie for first place. The tie was broken on a scorecard playoff. The winning team was made up of Bob Wiscombe (Hobart), Jim Nock (Select Arc) and Gregg Waltman (Airgas South). The second place team was David Sullivan (3M), Tim Neeser (Chart) and Keith Carrabine (Chart).

Chart donated many door prizes. The Grande prize was a set of three sand wedges, won by Charlie Walker (Mid-South Airgas).

Jimmy Thompson Hattiesburg Regional • On June 8-9, Sam Thompson (AirGas), Frank Sartain (AirGas) and Rusty Coker (AirGas) kicked off the Regional Meeting with a reception and cookout for 116 attendees, which included great food, networking and ice cream provided by Chart Industries. One hundred twenty one members attended the business session and heard speakers Ken Thompson, Thompson Group, who gave an update on the welding supply industry, and Sam Thomas, chairman, CEO & president of Chart Industries. Sixty-eight players participated in the golf tournament, which had to be cut short due to thunderstorms. Winners included: Randy Puryear (Airgas South), Bob Ranc (Superior Products), Tommy Hollowell (B&R Supply), and Randy Gamble (National Standard).

GAWDA Dues Survey 2008-09 • The GAWDA Board of Directors has created a Dues Task Force to revise and implement a new dues schedule for the upcoming fiscal year. As part of this process, we need accurate financial information from each of our members. Please fill out the dues survey that was e-mailed to all Key Contacts on May 28, 2008. If you did not receive this survey, please contact Kate Cole at kcole@fernley.com.

Profit Improvement Report for GAWDA—Let’s Make Things Worse: Cutting Prices in a Down Market • In periods of economic growth, price cutting is a serious problem. In tougher economic times, price cutting morphs into an absolute disaster. However, when sales volume is soft, firms almost instinctively resort to reducing prices in an effort to "keep things going," even if they are going poorly. This report by the Profit Planning Group’s Al Bates addresses the issue of price cutting, particularly with regard to its impact on profit in slower economic times. It examines the impact of price cutting on the bottom line and reviews alternatives to price cutting. You can read more at GAWDA Industry Statistics, under Profit Planning Group Quarterly Financial Newsletters.

Last Chance Extension through June 30th for 2008 GAWDA PROFIT Survey • Take advantage of this last chance extension and download the PROFIT survey from GAWDA News. When completed, send it directly to the Profit Planning Group at: Profit Planning Group, 1790 38th Street, Suite 204, Boulder, CO 80301. If you have questions or problems regarding the survey, contact the Profit Planning Group at (303) 444-6212 or GAWDA Headquarters at (215) 564-3484. Remember: Only participating members will receive the final report.

Final Report Available—GAWDA’s 2008 Cross-Industry Employee Compensation Survey • Distributor Members who participated in the 2008 Cross-Industry Employee Compensation Survey recently received a CD-ROM of the 2-volume report on the results. The survey was sponsored by GAWDA and 30 other organizations in the distribution industry. A total of 1,704 U.S. firms from over 7,000 locations participated. Of that total, 57 were GAWDA members. Participants who have not received a copy of the report can contact Malvenia Avery at mavery@fernley.com or at (215) 564-3484.

Take Advantage of GAWDA University Online

GAWDA U is an easy-to-use and inexpensive online training tool for your employees. The educational content of GAWDA U was developed to support GAWDA's primary mission of providing information to assist you in improving your company's safety and compliance.

GAWDA U Online will be an ever-changing and growing program. The initial course offerings will concentrate on training for new employees during their first 90 days. The second generation of content will focus on more advanced training that will build upon the earlier basic/elementary courses. This summer, we will be seeking training material from our members that can be adapted to the GAWDA U platform and will expand the program to include supplier-based training on company-specific products and services.

We are conducting weekly webinars to introduce members to the functions and content of GAWDA U and to answer any questions. Please contact GAWDA Membership Director Kate Cole (kcole@fernley.com) to sign up for the introductory webinars or to find out more about this exciting opportunity!

Current GAWDA U Training Courses

Course Title Back Safety     • Personal Protective Equipment – Part 1     • Personal Protective Equipment – Part 2     • Personal Protective Equipment – Part 3 Forklift Safety Training – Part 1 Forklift Safety Training – Part 2 CMV Driver Basics DOT Driver's Training – Part I DOT Driver's Training – Part II DOT Driver's Training – Part III Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors CGMP Training Part A – Introduction to the FDA CGMP Training Part B – Definitions & Prohibited Acts CGMP Training Part C – Overview of CGMPS per 21 CFR

GAWDA U Courses…Coming Soon: Safety in the Workplace, Hazard Communication, Prevention of Vehicle Accidents and Overview of Ergonomics!

Sue Pine

Fernley Executive Vice President Sue Pine to Retire • It is with mixed emotions that Fernley & Fernley prepares for the late September retirement of Executive Vice President Sue Pine. While we wish her the best as she pursues some well deserved down time with her family, she will be sorely missed. Sue has been an integral part of Fernley since she started in the Accounting Department 30 years ago.

Her expertise and leadership have benefited Fernley and our clients in a number of ways. On the operations side, she brought efficiency, organization and outstanding leadership to the Accounting Department, which she managed, and all facets of company operations, all of which she touched at one time or another. Since 1997 Sue has focused on the Association leadership side, providing guidance, partnership and a vast knowledge of association issues to many Fernley clients in her role as Management Liaison. She also currently serves as Chief Staff Executive of the AMC Institute, the association of association management companies.

Sue has witnessed a lot of positive changes at Fernley and in the volunteer community over the years. Some things that have not changed are Sue's drive to learn and face new opportunities, and her desire to help others in any way she can. Her bright smile, optimistic outlook and caring attitude will be missed as much, if not more, than her work ethic, business acumen and good ideas. While we will miss her greatly, we know that you all join us in wishing Sue well as she gets ready for this newest chapter of her life, which she is sure to embrace with the same great attitude and gusto that has brought her so much success over the past 30 years.

2008 REGIONAL MEETINGS Regional Meetings are off to a great start and offer attendees a chance to see Industry Leaders speak about the industry, meet with GAWDA consultants, Board Members and other association volunteers. Meet with customers and suppliers, network with your peers and get some insight on the industry. It’s an unbeatable value! Please click here for details The regional calendar will be updated as new meeting dates become available!                2008 Regional Meeting Dates                ZONE DATE LOCATION REGIONAL CHAIR PHONE C July 17 Lockbourne, OH Jim Smith DeLille Oxygen Company 614-444-1177 W July 23-25 Stevenson, WA Rick Henson Oxarc, Inc. 509-535-7794 or 509-370-1201    SE August 3-4 Southern Pines, NC Kent Buzard CTR 803-324-8101 C August 15 Naperville, IL Hector Villarreal Weldcoa 630-806-2000 SW August 18-19 (tentative) Kansas City, MO David Hanchette Kirk Welding Supply 816-221-3040 C August 21 Ft. Wayne, IN Ken Flora Welder Services, Inc. 260-423-4468 EA September 3 Gettysburg, PA Doug Morton Eleet Cryogenics, Inc. 330-795-0154 EA October 14 Hampden, MA Robert E. O'Brien Gas and Air Systems, Inc. 610-838-9625 or 610-462-7979

WORKSHOPS, WEB CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

Young Distribution Professionals Conference
August 3-6
Eaglewood Spa & Resort, Itasca, IL
The 2008 Young Distribution Professionals Conference, sponsored by GAWDA and other members of the Association Education Alliance, will be held August 3-6 at Eaglewood Spa & Resort in Itasca, IL. For more details, download the brochure and registration form.

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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