Since the beginning of my career in the early 1970s, I have observed the transformation of distributors from sellers of just oxygen and acetylene, to packagers of these gases as well as nitrogen, argon, and helium, then to the liquid delivery of gases, followed by offering welding gas mixtures and medical gases to customers, and ultimately to supplying very precise specialty gases.
Outside of the medically-related products market segment, the gas business of the independent welding supply distributor is centered on those customers who purchase welding equipment, consumable hardgood supplies, and welding accessory and safety equipment. Carrying these consumable products has led distributors into technology for cylinder packaging. When distributors became cylinder filling operations, the technology they brought on-board required a new base of knowledge. Distributors responded with an upsurge of training to meet their customers’ needs. These needs are specific to the gas applications employed.
In this first of a series of articles written for Specialty Gas Report, I will discuss gas applications related to the welding, cutting, and metal fabrication processes. Future articles will address gas applications in ever increasing increments of sophistication.
... to continue reading you must be subscribed
