BREAKING NEWS

GAWDA Members Prepared For The Months Ahead

GAWDA members from across the country were recently surveyed about their expectations and strategies for 2009. The economy is a determining factor for distributors and suppliers, who all forecast a shaky year. However, both distributors and suppliers also see many opportunities in the next 12 months. Among distributors, 50% project their company’s 2009 sales to be better than last year; of these companies, the rate of growth ranges from 2% to 30%, with the average increase at 11%. Eighteen percent of distributor companies project their sales to be worse than last year, anywhere from 5% to 13% down, with the average decrease at 9%. The rest (29%) expect sales to remain the same as last year, while 3% just don’t know. Some distributors are diversifying their markets and targeting medical gases and alternative energies. They also predict that more customers will fix old equipment instead of buying new, making repair work and service a focus. Distributors have varying opinions on when the economy will recover—some believe the economy will pick up in 3rd Quarter 2009, while others are prepared to weather the downturn through 2010. No matter what the year brings, GAWDA members are actively preparing to find success. In addition to market diversification, they are doing everything they can to reduce costs, eliminate waste, increase efficiencies and do more with less. In a search for profit, distributors will keep their heads down and battle any challenge coming their way. In the January 23 GAWDA Connection, suppliers will show that "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." You can read the full 2009 Business Forecast in the Winter issue of Welding & Gases Today, in print and online at www.WeldingandGasesToday.org.

New Chief Performance Officer To Hold Boss and Employees Accountable

Taking a cue from GAWDA members and other business owners who have prepared their companies for the economic turmoil of 2009 (see Forecast story above), President-Elect Barack Obama created a new White House position called “Chief Performance Officer.” The duties of this position include setting performance standards, making government more efficient and holding agency managers accountable for progress. The CPO will primarily work to curb spending and keep the government on budget. Obama named Nancy Killefer to the position. Killefer is a senior director for McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm. She was an assistant secretary of the treasury in the Clinton administration.

Welding Fume Lawsuits Filed in Texas

Two welding fume lawsuits have been filed by workers in Marshall, TX, against The Lincoln Electric Company, Linde, TDY Industries and Hobart Brothers Company. Plaintiffs in both suits allege they developed nervous system disorders due to exposure to welding fumes without adequate ventilation, and are seeking damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement, physical impairment, mental impairment, medical expenses and care, household services, loss of consortium, medical monitoring, fear of cancer or future disease, and funeral and burial expenses. The lawsuits will be combined into the multidistrict litigation in Welding Fumes Product Liability Litigation MDL 1535, pending out of the Northern District of Ohio.

Welder Profession in Job Study

A study done by CareerCast.com, reported in The Wall Street Journal on January 6, reported on the "best and worst occupations in the United States." The findings are based on 5 criteria inherent to every job: environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress. The study also considered pay. The findings are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, as well as studies from trade associations and individual experience. The best job? Mathematician. As noted in the story, this job was ranked number one because mathematicians typically work in favorable conditions—indoors and places free of noise and toxic fumes. Mathematicians also don’t do heavy lifting, crawling or crouching—attributes associated with occupations such as firefighter and plumber. The worst job? Lumberjack. The pay is low and the work is very dangerous. Next worst? Dairy Farmer, followed by Taxi Driver. The study ranks the occupation of "welder" number 8 on the list, because of long hours (45) and low pay. You can read the complete story here.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

January Safety & Technology Organizer Online • The January Safety & Technology Organizer is now available at www.gawda.org. Topics include: CDL, Med Cards and Certified Medical Examiners, FDA Drug Registration, and Company Vehicle Safety.

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

Dale Wilton

Wilton Promoted at Central Welding Supply (Lynnwood, WA) • Dale Wilton was promoted to president and CEO of Central Welding Supply. Formerly vice president, Wilton joined the company in 1990. Since joining the company, Wilton has grown Central Welding from 4 stores to 11 stores, as well as established the company's cryogenic division and Web site.

Hypertherm Helps United Way (Hanover, NH) • Over the course of November and December, associates at Hypertherm donated $70,000 to the company-sponsored United Way campaign. Hypertherm matched its associates’ donations, bringing the total contribution to $140,000. Gordon Ehert, campaign co-chair, says, “The economic downturn has made this a tough time for a lot of people, and we are proud of our associates for pledging so much.” The United Way estimates the donation will help over 3,900 people.

Linde Facilities Receive Certification (Murray Hill, NJ) • Linde North America's Cartersville, GA, and Nashville, TN, air separation plants were certified under the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care program. The Nashville site produces over 280 tons a day of liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon while the Cartersville site produces over 700 tons a day of liquid oxygen and nitrogen.

Air Liquide Subsidiary Acquires Singapore Company (Houston, TX) • Singapore Oxygen Air Liquide (SOXAL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Liquide, completed its acquisition of all the shares of Island Pipeline Gases (IPG), a joint venture with Air Products Singapore. IPG is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of SOXAL. The facility has a production capacity of 1,600 metric tons per day of oxygen and 350 metric tons per day of liquid products including oxygen and nitrogen.

Cramer Decker Expands Sacramento Facilities (Santa Ana, CA) • Cramer Decker Industries doubled the size of its Sacramento, CA, facilities to serve its gas equipment and propane divisions. Located at 819 F. Street, Suite 400, West Sacramento, CA 95605, the 15,000 sq. ft. facilities contain new distributions systems to improve customer service and provide quick responses to orders.

GAWDA NEWS

Hotel Accommodations and Reservations: 2009 SMCs • Make your reservations for the 2009 Spring Management Conferences directly with the hotel. More details about the SMCs are available here.

HR Report Available • The January 2009 HR Manager's Legal Reporter is now available for download at www.gawda.org.

GAWDA Clearinghouse • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for the month.

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 is an ever-changing and growing program. 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!

Click here to view course listings.

WORKSHOPS, WEB CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

University of Industrial Distribution
March 8-11, 2009
The University Place Conference Center and Hotel
Indianapolis, IN

Register Today: Don’t Wait…SOLD OUT LAST 5 YEARS!
GAWDA is pleased to invite you to participate in the University of Industrial Distribution, March 8-11, 2009, at The University Place Conference Center and Hotel (Indianapolis, IN). Next year marks the 16th year the UID has been serving the distribution industry. The program will offer 36 classes featuring some of the most accomplished experts in sales, finance, branch management, HR, distribution technology and the distribution channel.

For GAWDA members, the early registration fee is $995 if postmarked, faxed or submitted online before January 16, 2009, a savings of $100. Register online at www.univid.org.

Get more information at GAWDA News.

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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