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Breaking News • Safety & Compliance • New Members |
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The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), is encouraging members to oppose the proposed healthcare bill, which was in the Senate at press time. Jade C. West, NAW's senior vice president-government relations, provides a legislative update. Read it here. Please call or fax your Senators now on this issue. Industrial Production Rose In November U.S. industrial output rose in November as the manufacturing sector extended a recovery that economists hope will help turn around the ailing labor market. Production climbed 0.8%, the Federal Reserve said on December 15, well above forecasts for a 0.5% gain. The strides were powered in part by the automotive sector, and came despite a sharp drop in utility output. Capacity utilization, the amount of the nation's industrial capacity being put to use, rose to 71.3% in November from a revised 70.6% in October, its highest level since last December but still well below the long-range average.
 New Members GAWDA is pleased to welcome new Distributor members Cranston Welding & Supply Company of Cranston, RI, and Industrial Welding Supply Company of Chattanooga, TN.
Industry Beat nexAir Moves Atlanta Location (Memphis, TN) • Memphis-based nexAir relocated its Atlanta branch to Suwanee, GA. In May 2008, the atmospheric gases and welding distributor acquired Atlanta-based Specialty Gases Southeast, marking nexAir’s entrance into the market. The company made the decision to move its Atlanta branch in order to provide a more convenient location for customers and drivers. Martin Promoted (Philadelphia, PA) • Tom Martin of J.F. Martin was promoted from counter manager to manager of sales. Martin has 17 years’ experience in the gases and welding industry. J.F. Martin President Joseph Martin says he promoted Martin, his nephew, because of his knowledge and excellent customer service. New Face Behind the Wheel (Somerville, NJ) • Houser Welding Supply Company hired a new driver, Jeffrey Sarka, who has 8 years' experience in the industry. Special Salute (West Allis, WI) • The November issue of the West Allis edition of 50 Plus magazine featured Machinery & Welding President Joe Campbell for his dedication to veterans. A Vietnam War veteran, Campbell employs 2 other veterans of the same conflict, as well as an Iraq War veteran. Campbell is very active in several Wisconsin veterans associations and was named Wisconsin Vietnam Veteran of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America 5 times in the last 6 years.
Butler Staff Changes (Pittsburgh, PA) • Butler Gas Products Company welcomed its third generation into the family business. Abydee Butler, a 2009 graduate of Clemson University, joins her father, Jack Butler, and aunts Barbara Glessner and Debi Butler in pursuit of the company's 100-year plan of survival. Butler, who earned her B.S. degree in marketing, will serve as the company’s marketing director. In addition, Ken Lapinski was named customer service manager and distribution team leader. Lapinski has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, including many years working for his family’s business, Keystone Metal Welding ( New Castle, PA), and the last three as Butler branch store manager. Norco Honored (Boise, ID) • Norco received the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Outstanding Cooperation Award on November 20 at the NAAE annual convention in Nashville, TN. Windfall For Lincoln Electric (Cleveland, OH) • Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced that 25 state projects will receive a combined $13M in grant awards through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s State Energy Program. Lincoln Electric will receive a $1M grant for its wind turbine installation project in Cleveland. Balderson On Board (Mississauga, ON, Canada) • Linde Canada named Luke Balderson sales manager for the Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces. Balderson will be responsible for all sales activities in midwestern Canada. He will be based in Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Air Products Honored (Allentown, PA) • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited presented Air Products with its "Supplier Excellence Award," which recognizes the company's performance in the areas of gases and chemicals. The 2009 award marks the fifth time in the last 8 years that Air Products has won. It was the first time the company received recognition in both the gases and chemicals categories in the same year. Hypertherm Tops In NH (Hanover, NH) • Business New Hampshire magazine selected Hypertherm as the state’s number 1 company to work for in the Large Company category. Judges cited Hypertherm's respect for its associates, its no-layoff policy and the creative strategies the company is taking to keep everyone employed. ITW Legacy Elected (Glenview, IL) • David B. Smith Jr. was elected to Illinois Tool Works' Board of Directors. Smith is the executive vice president for policy and legal affairs and general counsel at the Mutual Fund Directors Forum in Washington, D.C. Smith's uncle, Harold B. Smith, will retire from the board in May 2010. The Smith family founded ITW in 1912. Harold B. Smith is a retired officer of the company and began serving on the board in 1968.
GAWDA News Membership Dues • Membership dues renewals are due by December 31, 2009 for Membership Year 2010. If you did not receive your Dues Renewal Form, please contact Kate Marlys at kmarlys@fernley.com. You will not be able to register for the Spring Management Conference in Chicago, nor will you be able to access the Web site or receive any GAWDA publications until your dues have been paid. GAWDA appreciates your continued membership and support. The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for the month. Workshops, Web Conferences & Seminars University of Industrial Distribution - Sponsored by GAWDA GAWDA Professional Compliance Seminar
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. If you no longer wish to receive the GAWDA Connection, please respond here.
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