Gases & Welding Distributors Take Proactive Stance

Dewitt, NY – January 17, 2011: As a part of its continued effort to provide professionals in the gases and welding industry with the most relevant and updated information, the Winter 2011 issue of Welding & Gases Today features its gases and welding distributor business forecast. The article, entitled, "Operation 2011: Resuscitating Sales" shows that distributors in every region across the country are cautiously optimistic as they fight back for recovery.



In a random poll of GAWDA distributors, Welding & Gases Today found respondents to be generally optimistic, for reasons ranging from pent-up demand to technological advancements in equipment to improved employee training. More than 75 percent of those interviewed predict a sales increase, some by as high as 20 percent. While 21 percent expect sales to remain level, another 2 percent believe they will continue to go down.



For the article, Welding & Gases Today breaks distributors into five regions—South, Southwest, Central, East and West. The aggregate growth rate for distributors in the South is 4.9 percent, the lowest in the country. "People are concerned and slow to make buying decisions," says Gas and Supply (Baton Rouge, LA) CEO Lori Kearns Kneeppel. Fighting back against the recession, 55 percent of distributors in the South—the most of any region—plan to upgrade current facilities or build new ones.



To find out what distributors are projecting for 2011, read "Operation 2011: Resuscitating Sales" at www.WeldingAndGasesToday.org. For more information, contact Devin O’Toole, contributing editor at Welding & Gases Today at devin@datakey.org or 315-445-2347.





About GAWDA

Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry’s voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.