BREAKING NEWS

Good News for the Economy

Consumer confidence took its largest leap in six years this past month, according to a survey by the Conference Board, a non-for-profit economic forecasting organization. The Conference Board’s sentiment index rose to 54.9, marking the largest two-month jump in the index since 1967, and the largest monthly gain since 2003. The release of this survey triggered a rise in the S&P 500 and has led to speculation that the recession may begin to turn around by the end of this year. Other indicators in the study show that pessimism amongst consumers and business owners is beginning to lessen and many people have a more positive outlook about the health of the economy.

To read the full report, click here.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

June Safety & Technology Organizer Online • The June Safety & Technology Organizer is now available at www.gawda.org. Some topics include: Child Labor Regulations, Driver Disqualifications and Penalties, and Your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Medical Gases and HR Reference Materials • GAWDA consultants and the human resources and safety committees have recently updated GAWDA’s Medical Gases and HR Reference Materials (formerly known as Compliance Manuals). USB drives containing the newly updated materials were distributed at the Chicago and Asheville SMCs. If you did not attend either of the SMCs and would like to receive the Medical Gases and/or HR Reference Materials, please complete the request form found here.

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

Goss Gas employees at the 75th anniversary celebration

Goss Celebrates 75th Anniversary (Oil City, PA) • R.N. Goss Gas Products celebrated 75 years in business with a customer appreciation event held at their location along Route 8 in Reno, PA on Friday, May 8. The company welcomed visitors from across the region and beyond. Industry manufacturers and vendors were on site to give welding technology and product demonstrations, and an oxy-fuel torch cutting contest took place for experienced welders to compete for the fastest time to cut a large piece of steel. The company was established in 1934 by R. Norman Goss, and remains in the Goss family under current leadership of President Dave Goss.

Central Welding Supply Opens New Location (Marysville, WA) • Central Welding Supply will open its 13th location in Redmond, WA, on July 13, 2009. "We are excited that this new location will allow us to better serve our existing customers in Redmond, Kirkland and the greater Eastside," says Dale Wilton, president and CEO of Central Welding Supply. "Improvements, remodeling of the site and preparations for the store are already underway." The new location will offer an inventory of welding, safety and industrial equipment and supplies, as well as industrial and specialty gases, rental equipment and a host of associated Central Welding Supply Services.

The lighting of the Kuthuvilaku ceremony at Lincoln Electric’s new Chennai, India, plant.

Lincoln Dedicates Overseas Consumables Facility (Cleveland, OH) • Lincoln Electric dedicated a 100,000 sq. ft. welding consumables facility in Chennai, India, that will serve markets throughout the Asia Pacific region. "The new Chennai plant represents an important investment for Lincoln in the expanding market for welding products in India," says John Stropki, chairman and CEO. "Our plant will serve the growing demand from industry and large infrastructure projects that are fueling India's economic growth."

Vern Lewis to Open New Branch (Phoenix, AZ) • Vern Lewis Welding Supply has begun construction on a new branch to be opened sometime early next year. The 11,000 sq. ft. building located at 22413 N. Black Canyon Hwy. in North Phoenix, AZ, is the company's first branch location and eventually will be expanded to include a warehouse.

Red Ball Acquires Arc Automation (Shreveport, LA) • Red Ball Oxygen Company announces the acquisition of Arc Automation, a company that specializes in the sales and service of industrial robots. "With proper planning, programming and training, robot integration produces immediate benefits," says Jarrod Lipsey, VP of sales for Red Ball. "We know the time was right to bring these technologies and additional services to our customers."

CGA Honors GAWDA Members (Chantilly, VA) • The Compressed Gas Association honored a number of GAWDA members at its Annual Meeting of the Members. Among the award winners were American Air Liquide Holdings, FIBA Technologies, Linde North America, Matheson Tri-Gas, Praxair, Roberts Oxygen Company and Western International Gas and Cylinders. Patrick Murphy of Linde North America and Rob Early of Praxair also received individual awards. Click here to read more.

Suzan Schmitz

Andrea Gordon

Lampton Welding Supply Adds to Staff (Wichita, KS) • Lampton Welding Supply Company has added two new people to its staff. Suzan Schmitz joined Lampton as the company’s new office manager/assistant controller. Andrea Gordon also came on board as Lampton’s asset recovery specialist.

Trendex Celebrates 25th Anniversary (St. Laurent, QC, Canada) • Trendex Information Systems celebrates its 25th year in business this year. The software company, which specializes in software for gases and welding distributors, opened shop in 1984 with two employees: President Soumitra Mukherjee and his brother. "Business has really changed a lot in the last 25 years, and we hope to continue to grow and change with the trends in the next 25," says Mukherjee. “That’s why we’re called Trendex."

5 Most Recently Added GAWDAwiki Terms   1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Robotic welding Fuel cell Copper based alloy Aluminum bronze Stainless steel welding wire To add your own term, goto www.GAWDAwiki.org.

GAWDA NEWS

Registration Opens This Week for San Antonio Convention • Starting this week, members are able to register for GAWDA's 65th Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX. Visit the Current Events page to register online or download the registration forms.

Hotel Reservations – Grand Hyatt San Antonio • If you haven’t already booked your hotel accommodations at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio for GAWDA’s 65th Annual Convention, click here to make your reservations.

A special rate of $239, single or double occupancy, is available for Convention attendees. This rate is available 3 days prior to and 3 days after the conference, subject to availability. State and local taxes (16.75%) will be applied to the room charge. Please make your reservation directly with the Grand Hyatt San Antonio on or before August 21, 2009, by calling 1-800-233-1234. When making your reservation, remember to mention the GAWDA Convention rate. Reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card at the time of reservation.

GAWDA Gives Back to WINGS • The 2009 GAWDA Gives Back recipient is WINGS (Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing Inc.), an organization dedicated to helping women who cannot afford expensive breast cancer treatment. To contribute to the GAWDA Gives Back Program, download and complete the donation form found here. For more information about WINGS, please click here.

Misunderstanding the Expense Structure • The sales challenges associated with the recession have caused most firms to take a serious look at their operating expenses. This report, by Dr. Albert D. Bates, president of Profit Planning Group, will examine the expense structure of GAWDA members based upon the PROFIT Report. By definition, the discussion will be somewhat technical. However, it is extremely important. Read full article under "Profit Planning Group Quarterly Financial Newsletters" here.

Group Life Insurance Program Dividend • Based upon favorable 2008 claim experience in the GAWDA Group Life Insurance program, Met Life will return $580,000 to the plan as a 2009 dividend. The insurance trustees voted to grant a 23% dividend to all 115 participating companies. The dividend will serve to reduce company's 2009 invoice premiums by 23%. This is the 49th annual dividend in the 50-year history of the Employee and Dependent Life Insurance and Wellness program offered by GAWDA/Met Life to employer members.

HR Report Available • The June 2009 HR Manager's Legal Reporter is now available for download at GAWDA's Web site. Click here to download the report.

2009 GAWDA Membership Directory Available • The 2009 GAWDA Membership Directory is now available for all members. You can order your printed copy today by contacting GAWDA Headquarters at 215-564-3484 or by completing the order form at GAWDA’s Online Store.

GAWDA Clearinghouse • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for the month. Click here to view the updates.

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!

View course listings here.

WORKSHOPS, WEB CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

Disaster Preparedness—What Executives Really Need to Know
June 12, 2009
GAWDA Co-Sponsored Webinar with AEA
Presented by Mike Foster
Organizations that are prepared for disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires, chemical emergencies, massive power outages and even terrorism stand a much greater chance of survival. As an executive, protect the investment you have made in your organization by making a plan. This webinar explains exactly what you need to do to be prepared for a disaster. Fee is $149 per site. More information is available on GAWDA's Web site.

Dave Kahle's Sales Academy
June 18-19, 2009
William Tell Holiday Inn
Countryside, IL
The costs of an uneducated and unproductive sales force may be the biggest unseen expense in your company. Stop the bleeding by sending them to Dave Kahle's Sales Academy. Attendees will learn the Kahle Way Distributor Selling System. Call 800-331-1287 or visit this page for more information. GAWDA members are eligible for discounts.

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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