 |
||||||||||||||||||||
| A Semi-Monthly Newsletter for the Gases and Welding Distributors Association |
February
23, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
BREAKING NEWS Register Early and Save Don't wait until the deadline! Register early and save for the GAWDA University 2007 Spring Management Conference at the Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix, AZ, on May 20-22. Visit www.gawda.org to register online and for program details. You can also download the registration forms at the above link. Young Executives Organizational Meeting Scheduled Everyone who has registered to participate in GAWDA's Young Executives is invited to a meeting being held at the 2007 Spring Management Conference in Phoenix. The Young Executives Organizational Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 22, from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. A full breakfast will be served. The purpose of the meeting is to determine the governance structure of the Young Executives and to develop the program for the Young Executives meeting in San Francisco during the Annual Convention this fall. If you have not yet registered for the Young Executives, please visit GAWDA's Web site and register today. Share Your Passion for the Industry
The February issue of GAWDA Edge, the association's e-magazine for young executives, is now available online at www.gawdaedge.org. Meet GAWDA's committees and the dedicated volunteers who provide association members with service and support. Discover how your forebears in the welding and gases industry used their passion for innovation to shape the industry we have today. And learn how to become the sort of manager people will love to work for. GAWDA Edge is also available in mobile and dial-up-friendly versions. Plus, don't forget to visit the GAWDA Edge Forums to network with other people who love the welding and gases industry just as much as you do.
SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS New
Security Program for Maritime Port Workers •
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program,
issued as a joint rule from both the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), appeared in the Federal
Register on January 25, 2006. The rule lays out the enrollment
process, disqualifying crimes, usage procedures, fees and other
requirements for workers, port owners and operators. This will apply
to any transportation individuals who require unescorted access
to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system.
The TSA overview is available at
this link. To read the actual Federal Register (about
1 MB, 469 pages), follow
this link. CGA Regulatory Alert on Food Chemicals Codex • The United States Pharmacopeia has issued a public notification calling for comment on the Food Chemicals Codex. CGA issued a Regulatory Alert (RA-49) that provides more information. To read the Regulatory Alert, visit www.gawda.org. FY 2008 Budget Request Includes $18 Million Increase for OSHA • The President's budget request for $490.3M for OSHA during FY 2008 will allow the agency to improve workplace safety and health through compliance assistance and enforcement of occupational safety and health regulations and standards, explained Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke Jr. during a briefing in Washington, D.C. on February 5. The President's request includes increases for federal enforcement, federal compliance assistance and cooperative programs. Audio Recording of Compliance Teleconference • An audio recording of the GAWDA Compliance Update Teleconference presented by GAWDA Consultants on January 26 is available on the Podcast page of GAWDA's Web site.
NEW MEMBERS GAWDA welcomes new Associate Members Alumig Wire Company, Inc. of Traverse City, MI, Americana Program Underwriters of Charlotte, NC, Liberty Cryogenics, LLC of Aurora, CO, and Merit Abrasives of Stephenville, TX.
INDUSTRY
BEAT
Arco Welding Supply Renovates Store (Malden, MA) • Arco Welding Supply finished the renovation of its 1,500 sq. ft. store January 15, including new shelving, lighting, counters, ceiling and flooring. The store also now features a flat screen TV behind the counter to entertain customers while they are waiting. "It was time for an upgrade," says General Manager Thomas Crowley. "The visual stimulation when customers walk in makes a big difference. Now, it's bright and cheery." Harris Industrial Gases Adds Fill Plant (Citrus Heights, CA) • Harris Industrial Gases' new fill plant became fully functional in mid-January, completing the half-million-dollar, yearlong project to enable the company to fill rare and special gases. The company added 2,000 sq. ft. to accommodate the new fill plant and is in the process of building a new warehouse to house inventory. Fourth-generation Harris family member Aaron Haupt serves as the project coordinator for the fill plant.
CONCOA Appoints Green (Virginia Beach, VA) • CONCOA appointed Richard Green manager of business development, assuming responsibility for identifying and marketing CONCOA's gas control technology to new business segments and managing the laser and blender product lines. Green previously served as product manager for 4 years and territorial manager for a 9-state region. Muller Named Senior VP (Radnor, PA) • Airgas named James A. Muller, formerly regional company president of Airgas East, to the position of senior VP – specialty gases and life sciences. Muller will report to Mike Molinini, executive VP and COO, and head a new corporate department, integrating specialty gas operations and marketing to support sales of specialty gases and equipment through the 13 regional companies within Airgas.
Western Names Marketing Manager (Westlake, OH) • Steve Varga joined Western Enterprises' industrial team as product marketing manager. Varga is responsible for product development, marketing and management activities related to core industrial product lines. Lincoln
Reorganizes Customer Service Department
(Cleveland, OH) • The Lincoln Electric Company underwent a
reorganization of its customer service department to include a wide
range of best practices from a variety of service industries. The
yearlong process incorporated operating practices from Six Sigma,
training principles from Dale
GAWDA NEWS Attention
GAWDA Distributor Members
•
Did you receive the GAWDA 2007 Profit Survey that was e-mailed to
you on Monday, February 5? If you did not receive it, please request
a copy by e-mailing Malvenia Avery at mavery@fernley.com,
or download the survey at www.gawda.org.
GAWDA encourages all distributor members to participate in the survey.
The Profit Report is the best source for financial benchmarking
information in the industry. However, only members who participate
in the survey will receive the final Report. Nonparticipating members
WILL NOT be allowed to purchase the Report.
WORKSHOPS, WEB CONFERENCES & SEMINARS The
Habit of Selling 2007
GAWDA University Compliance Update Seminar Demonstrating
Total Cost Savings
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
The
GAWDA Connection is distributed on the 8th and 23rd of each
month to all GAWDA members as GAWDA
HEADQUARTERS |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. Privacy Statement |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
