BREAKING NEWS

Higher OSHA Fines Proposed

On April 23, House Democrats introduced the Protecting America's Workers Act, a bill that would increase OSHA violations fines from a maximum of $70,000 to $120,000. The bill would also create a new felony category for criminal violations, cover more workers, add protection for workers who disclose unsafe practices and give workers and their families an avenue for challenging reductions in OSHA fines. For more about the proposed bill, read the full article in the Las Vegas Sun.

Recall on InterMed Valves

A recalled InterMed medical valve

InterMed Gas Products issued a mandatory recall on medical valves for item numbers VO-870 A-Y and VO-870-A-Y-T with batch numbers 08-05-3B and 09-01-1B, sold from January 28 through March 26, 2009. The valves do not meet company quality specifications, which may cause the valve to fail, resulting in an uncontrolled release of oxygen when the valve is in the open position. InterMed has not received any reports of personal injury or damage during normal use. Anyone with these valves in their inventory should contact InterMed for a returned merchandises authorization. The full product recall notice from InterMed can be read here.

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SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

May Safety & Technology Organizer • The May Safety & Technology Organizer is now available on GAWDA’s Web site. Topics include: teen workers, LPG filling and storage, and Certificates of Analysis.

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

Haun Moves to New Building (Syracuse, NY) • Haun Welding Supply consolidated 3 of its locations into a 130,000 sq. ft. building, located at 5921 Court Street Road. The new headquarters includes offices, a retail store, a repairs facility, a cylinder storage area, warehouse operations and sufficient space for the company to move its fill plant onto the premises. "Our old headquarters had about 3,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, and now we have about 7,000 sq. ft.," says President Mark Haun.

David Schaer

Schaer Promoted to CU President (Billings, MT) • David Schaer was promoted to president at Computers Unlimited (CU). The son of CU founder Michael Schaer, Schaer has been with CU since 1995, holding positions in sales and new technology development management.

CryoVation Acquires IGS, Hires London (Fort Myers, FL) • CryoVation acquired the assets of Industrial Gas Systems (IGS) in Indianapolis, IN. IGS President Rick Skirvin will continue to operate the Indianapolis service center. David London was hired at CryoVation as a salesperson. He is involved in the sales, customer service and administration of CryoVation's full-line cylinder fill plant equipment, parts and installation.

Dave Mahoney in the booth for the ON Now! radio show

Dave Mahoney Hosting Radio Show (Albany, NY) • GAWDA 1999-2000 President Dave Mahoney, president and CEO of AWESCO, is hosting a weekly 30-minute radio show titled "ON (Optimistic News) Now!" The show offers good news, uplifting discourse with Mahoney and a weekly special guest. "At a time when all we seem to hear is 'doom and gloom' about the world around us, I want to bring some of the good news that's out there to the forefront," says Mahoney. ON Now! airs on Wednesdays at 11:05 a.m. on Albany's Talk 1300 AM. You can also hear the show live online at www.talk1300.com.

Ernst Joins AWISCO (Maspeth, NY) • Jon Ernst joined AWISCO Corp. as vice president, New Jersey and Export. Ernst has over 22 years of experience in the welding industry. "Our growing New Jersey operations and export market requires a seasoned professional to take the helm, and Jon is the perfect fit," says President Lloyd Robinson.

Joe Campbell speaks during 2008's Gold Star Family Day

Machinery and Welder Gold Star Family Day (West Allis, WI) • Machinery and Welder Corporation sponsored the 5th annual Gold Star Family Day on April 17-19. The event was put on by Being There-Reaching Out, an organization for Wisconsin families of fallen military in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Gold Star Family Day gives families a chance to get together and share their grief amongst people that understand what they're going through," explains Machinery and Welder President Joe Campbell, a Vietnam veteran and co-founder of Being There-Reaching Out. About 140 people attended the event, which took place in Milwaukee, WI. For more about Being There-Reaching Out, visit their Web site.

R3 Safety Hires Logan (Wilmington, OH) • Trey Logan was hired at R3 Safety as a sales development specialist. He is responsible for managing the eastern Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina territories and leading new business development initiatives. Logan has over 20 years of experience in the safety distribution business.

Hypertherm Named One of "Most Democratic Workplaces" (Hanover, NH) • Hypertherm was named a recipient of the WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces for 2009. Selection is based upon results of the WorldBlu Democratic Workplace Scorecard, which is designed to measure the amount of democracy practiced at an organization and completed by a randomly selected group of employees. Responses were then analyzed by a team of WorldBlu judges who selected the top scoring organizations.

Staff Changes at Spectrum (Costa Mesa, CA) • Spectrum Gas Products promoted Greg Braden to warehouse supervisor. Formerly a fill technician, Braden has been with the company for 3 years. Spectrum also hired John Graubner as a driver. Graubner has 10 years of experience in transporting hazardous materials.

George Loren Huber In Sympathy George Loren Huber, 92, founder of Huber Supply Company (Mason City, IA), passed away on April 25. Mr. Huber founded Huber Supply in 1939 in Excelsior, MN, moving the company to Mason City in 1947. He retired in the late '80s, but remained active in the business, serving as company secretary until his death. Family owned and operated Huber Supply currently includes son Loren, grandson Doug and several great-grandsons. "I have fond memories of Grandpa at the office," says Doug, company vice president and operations manager. "He would not leave the office until he said something funny and had everyone laughing." Mr. Huber is survived by his wife Marie, 4 children, 2 step children, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers.

GAWDA NEWS

Get Ready for the San Antonio Convention • Visit the Current Events page for the tentative schedule of events for GAWDA’s 65th Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX. Programming details and registration information will be available in early June.

Members can now book their hotel rooms at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, situated on the banks of the River Walk and adjacent to the San Antonio Convention Center. Register online here.

A special rate of $239, single or double occupancy, is available for Convention attendees. This rate is available 3 days prior 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 • GAWDA President Britt Lovin and his wife Julie selected WINGS (Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing Inc.) as the 2009 Gives Back Recipient. WINGS, founded in 1999 by 2 breast cancer survivors, believes no one should die from breast cancer because they cannot afford the $98,285 average cost of full treatment. The program offers comprehensive breast cancer screening and treatment at no charge to the patient. Through their network of 240 physicians, labs, healthcare and related services, WINGS provides full care for $14,373. More details are available here.

Read GAWDA President Britt Lovin's letter to SMC attendees here.

GAWDA Gives Back, now in its 10th year, is an annual program that strives to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged members of communities in the host city of the Convention. Funding for GAWDA Gives Back comes directly from the membership and all donations are tax-deductible. To make a company or individual donation, download the donation form here.

Asheville SMC a Success • Thank you for your tremendous support of GAWDA by attending the Asheville SMC. Presentations can be downloaded on GAWDA’s Web site.

Deadline Extended for Profit Survey • GAWDA is encouraging all distributor members to participate in the 2009 GAWDA Profit Survey, which is the best source for financial benchmarking information in the industry. The deadline has been extended to May 15. Download the survey and get more details here.

HR Report Available • The May 2009 HR Manager's Legal Reporter is now available for download on GAWDA’s Web site.

GAWDA Clearinghouse • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for the month and is available here.

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

You hear about disasters in the news, and you may have even experienced one: hurricanes, floods, fires, chemical emergencies, massive power outages and even terrorism, to name a few. Organizations that are prepared for disasters 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. Its systematic approach simplifies a monumental task. Fee is $149 per site. Register online here.

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. 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.

GAWDA HEADQUARTERS
100 North 20th Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1443
phone 215.564.3484 - fax 213.963.9784
gawda@fernley.com