INDUSTRY NEWS

David J. Nangle to Retire Effective October 1

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. announced that David J. Nangle, Executive Vice President, President, The Harris Products Group (HPG) will retire effective October 1, 2021 and will be succeeded by Gregory Doria. As part of the transition, Doria has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, The Harris Products Group. He formerly served as Vice President, Marketing, Lincoln Electric. Nangle joined Lincoln Electric in 1979 and during his distinguished 42-year career with the Company, held various sales management leadership positions before being named President of the Company’s Harris Calorific subsidiary in 1999, followed by President of the Company’s retail subsidiary, WCTA LLC in 2003, and President of J.W. Harris Co. in 2005. As Executive Vice President, President of The Harris Products Group, Nangle has achieved fifteen years of record sales and profitability growth in the segment through transformational commercial and operational initiatives. In addition, his commitment to operational excellence and sustainability has positioned HPG as an operational leader at Lincoln Electric, as reflected in the many “Chairman Environmental, Health & Safety Awards” earned under Nangle’s leadership. In addition, HPG was awarded Industry Week’s “Best Plant Winner” for their Mason, Ohio facility.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Lincoln Electric for over forty years in such a great industry, and lead such an exceptional team at Harris,” said Nangle. “I am tremendously proud of what we have accomplished together and the strategic goals we are working to achieve,” Nangle commented. “While I will certainly miss my family of colleagues, customers and industry partners, I feel this is the right time for a leadership change and Greg will successfully lead the team forward and drive continued success.”

“I am confident that Greg’s global commercial and application expertise will help advance HPG’s strategic initiatives,” stated Mapes. “Greg’s track record of leading successful change management initiatives will reinforce HPG as a high-performance organization ready to capitalize on future growth opportunities.”

Doria joined Lincoln Electric in 2000 and during his twenty-year career with the Company has held several leadership positions in sales and marketing, including Director, Global Industry Segments, Director of Global Sales & Application Engineering for Indalco, and West Regional Sales Manager (USA). Since 2019, he has served as Vice President, Marketing with oversight of Lincoln Electric’s global industry segment strategy and marketing program, as well as applications engineering. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He has also completed Lincoln Electric’s Management Development and Leadership programs.

David J. Nangle Gregory Doria Flange Wizard Names Rob Doan as President

Flange Wizard announced that Rob Doan will serve as its President and be tasked with managing the company’s dayto-day operation. Bob Doan will stay on with the company as CEO and Director of Special Accounts.

Rob Doan

Butler Gas Selected for “World’s Greatest!...” Television Series

The producers of the television show “World’s Greatest!…”, How2Media, announced that they selected Butler Gas to be a part of the popular television series.

When it comes to industrial, specialty, and medical gases and dry ice, it takes a certain level of expertise to be considered the best regional manufacturer and distributor in the business. Butler Gas Products has been meeting and exceeding that level of expertise for three generations and they’ve never been more important than they are right now. “We think their story will be meaningful as well as educational to our viewers” said Gordon Freeman, Executive Producer of the show.

As part of the show, How2Media sent a film crew to spend time at the company’s facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to find out what the story behind the story is with this great and growing company, and to show the “World’s Greatest!…” viewers why Butler Gas was selected as the best in their category, and therefore featured on the show.

IWDC Promotes Vic Wilson After Rich Mansmann’s Retirement. Hires Lance Flanagan

IWDC an nounced the promotion of Vic Wilson to Director of Marketing & Gas Program. Vic will report to Frank

Kasnick, President & CEO, and will be responsible for overall IWDC marketing initiatives and will also lead IWDC’s gas program. Vic’s promotion comes after Rich Mansmann retired from the cooperative effective July 1. Rich will Lance Flanagan continue to support the IWDC as a parttime consultant.

IWDC also announced that Lance Flanagan joined IWDC as Regional Sales Manager, reporting to Keith Werkley, Director of Sales & Vendor Management. Lance will assume Vic Wilson’s prior Regional Sales Manager responsibilities. In this role, Lance will be responsible for promoting IWDC’s value proposition to the Membership as well as driving profitable growth of IWDC’s Vendor partner brands and Weldmark® brand.

Norris Cylinder Achieves “Made in the USA” Designation

TriMas announced its Norris Cylinder business is now officially a “Made in the USA” designated manufacturer. Even before achieving this status, Norris was the only remaining manufacturer of forged steel high-pressure cylinders and acetylene cylinders located in the United States.

“For more than 70 years, Norris Cylinder has provided a strong commitment to providing customer solutions with demonstrated quality and exceptional service to the compressed industrial gas industry,” said Thomas Amato, TriMas President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe this important step to recognize our Made in the USA status is a win for our customers, employees and the communities where we operate. We are pleased to continue to support our stakeholders by further investing in Norris Cylinder manufacturing operations in the United States, which continues to advance local skills and technology development.” AWG Promotes Schadek to Vice President of Specialty Gas Sales

American Welding & Gas announced that it has promoted Zach Schadek to Vice President of Specialty Gas Sales. Schadek, who joined the industry in 2004 as a specialty gas sales engineer, had previously served as VP of Sales for AWG’s South Region. In his new position, he will focus on growing AWG’s specialty gas business throughout the U.S.

Zach Schadek

Astaras Announces Addition of Dick Wilkinson as Sales Manager

Astaras announced the addition of Dick Wilkinson to their team as Sales Manager. Dick brings more than 30 years of welding industry knowledge to this position. He will be responsible for maintaining and growing the company’s sales relationships with current and new customers in the future. In his long tenure in the welding industry, Dick has held several different positions in purchasing, marketing and sales with the majority of his years in the wholesale industry.

Dick Wilkinson

BUG-O Announces Hiring of Norman Galeana

Bug-O is pleased to welcome Norman Galeana to lead Bug-O’s strategic initiatives in Latin America. Prior to joining Bug-O, Galeana was employed by the Lincoln Electric Company, advancing during his seventeen years to the position of General Manager, Automation Division, Brazil.

“We are excited to have a welding industry professional like Norman join our team,” Bug-O president Matt Cable said. “Norman is familiar with BUG-O products and the opportunities that exist for BUG-O in Latin America.”

Norman Galeana

SafTCart Announces New Hires

Nolan Walker, a third generation of the Walker Family, has recently joined the family business. He is currently learning the production process and will eventually move into sales for the company. Nolan is excited to finish his training and begin working with our customers firsthand.

SafTCart also announced that it has hired a new mechanical engineer, Claude Clegg. Claude is a graduate from the University

of Mississippi, and currently working in Memphis. Claude is excited to be returning to his hometown of Clarksdale, MS. He will be joining the engineering team in July and will be SafTCart’s lead engineer over robotics and mechanical engineering. He will be working with the research and development department, and be the lead engineer in design assisting with SafTCart’s sister company Carolina Piping Services.

Hobart Promotes Bob Bilokonsky to Vice President/General Manager

Hobart is pleased to announce the promotion of Bob Bilokonsky to the role of vice president/general manager (VP/ GM). Bilokonsky joined Hobart in 2010 as a sourcing manager and also served in the capacity of supply chain manager for the company for two years. He has taken Bob Bilokonsky on progressively more responsibilities as a business unit manager for several filler metal segments, most recently overseeing metal-cored and aluminum products. In this new position, Bilokonsky will have overall profit and loss responsibility for the Hobart Filler Metal division. He and his team will also be concentrating on customer growth and retention, with a continued focus on innovation and operational excellence.

Joe Francis Named 2021 St. Cloud Area Small Business Owner of the Year

The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce announced their 2021 Small Business Award Winners. Central McGowan President/CEO Joe Francis was named Small Business Owner of the Year. The Chamber of Commerce said:

“Since becoming President/CEO of Central McGowan in 2016, Francis has led the company through a number of expansions and acquisitions. He has doubled the number of employees and diversified the business from industrial gasses to custom automation, robotics and dry ice. He is the Small Business Owner of the Year.”

Russell Snyder Tekno Valves North America Appoints Russell Snyder

Tekno Valves North America, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Russell Snyder to its North American team. Russ will be a Manufacturer’s Rep for TVNA’s Specialty Gas Products throughout North America.

Having worked for several cylinder valve manufacturers, Russ has gained 25+ years of experience in cylinder valve sales. With his experience and expertise in the industry, coupled with the quality and customer service welding distributors have come to expect from Tekno Valves North America, the company is excited to welcome him to its organization!

Norris Cylinder Company Hires Bill Kingsley

Norris Cylinder Company named Bill Kingsley as Regional Sales Manager – Midwest Region. Before joining the company, Kingsley spent more than 30 years in the welding supply and industrial gas industry working with The Harris Products Group, a Lincoln Electric Co., Cyl-Tec, Inc. and ESAB/GCE Valves. He brings a vast wealth of industry knowledge to Norris Cylinder and their customers.

Bill Kingsley

Butler Moore, Villarreal, Walsh Join CGA Board of Directors

The Compressed Gas Association announced that Abydee Butler Moore, Butler Gas Products; Hector Villarreal, Weldcoa; and Mike Walsh, EspirGas; have joined the association’s Board of Directors. Weldcoa Announces Extractcoa Division

Weldcoa announced its new Extractcoa division, created specifically to support the expanding hemp and cannabis market with CO2 supply solutions. Extractcoa will develop equipment and controls to supply Carbon Dioxide to its customers in a controlled, safe manner that delivers quick ROI results.

Noble Gas Solutions Hosts Glens Falls Grand Opening Celebration

Tim Born Named VP, Oceania and SE Asia for Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group

Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries’ Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group, a subsidiary of Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japan), Tim Born is pleased to announce that Tim Born has been appointed as the Vice President of Oceania and Southeast Asia Region.

This important addition to its management team is in line with the objectives of the Industrial Division of Nikkiso to better serve and support its customers in strategic territories.

Heather Fletcher Joins Ratermann Manufacturing

As RMI continues to grow and expand, the company announced that it has added an additional Account Manager based in Atlanta, GA to better support our customers. Heather Fletcher joins RMI with over 10 years in the construction supply and most recently a project manager for a leading national contracting firm.

Heather Fletcher

According to an article in The Saratogian, Noble Gas Solutions hosted a ribbon cutting event for its third storefront location in South Glens Falls, New York. From the article:

Noble Gas Solutions, a family-owned industrial gas and welding supply company that has been a staple in the Capital Region for more than 80 years, officially opened its newest location in South Glens Falls with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration.

Located at 15 Third St., this facility is the third storefront location for the industrial gas and welding supplier. The 6,000-square-foot area includes a retail site, offices and warehouse space to store medical, specialty, industrial and consumer gases.