Q4 2008 / Positive outlook at GAWDA ‘08 despite credit crunch
Pat Carlucci
SGR
More than 900 delegates and spouses attended the annual gathering of
distributors, major gas companies, and equipment suppliers at the
exotic Atlantis Hotel, Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The mood was
still optimistic, despite the worldwide credit crunch and the
expectation that demand for gases and equipment would slow down for the
remainder of 2008 and into 2009. Many distributors even reported that
they were having record years.
Gary Stoneback officially opened the conference once the Bahama National Junior choir had sung both the U.S. and Bahamian National Anthems. He gave a “State of the Association” speech on the changes made – especially in the auditing process and the drive for more transparency. Stoneback also stated that GAWDA events are becoming more challenging to organize as consolidation within the distributor community continues. However, he was extremely pleased to see the number of suppliers at the event.
The main speaker on the first day was Pat Williams, senior vice
president of the NBA Orlando Magic. He gave an informative and
motivational speech on the eight points to managing a successful team.
Many delegates were seen writing furiously to keep up on the main
points which no doubt wll be passed on to company executives over the
coming months. It was a powerful and a effective tool for management in
any industry.
An interesting update was presented regarding changes taking place in both DOT and FDA regulations. Two of GAWDA’s consultants, Michael Dodd and Rick Schweitzer, expanded on this issue. A roundtable disussion followed during which distributors and suppliers assembled and debated items such as delivery times and efficiency.
Day 2 commenced with an early start for the customary supplier’s Contact Booth Program. More than 140 companies were represented – spanning the industry’s entire supply chain. The Contact Booth Program was well attended as hordes of distributors cruised the aisles. Incentives seemed to be working, wherever anyone looked.
On Day 3, Gary Stoneback passed the gavel to the new president – Britt Lovin, vice president of Andy Oxygen Company, Asheville, North Carolina. The delegates were introduced to Britt’s family and one image flashed on the screen seemed to fill the convention hall. The GAWDA presidents appear to be significantly younger looking these days. (General comments from the audience, not the perception of this aging writer!)
John Stropki, CEO of Lincoln Electiric, offered several interesting insights into the global cutting and welding hard goods industry. He cautioned, very succinctly, that local distributors and suppliers need to embrace the international opportunities that exist worldwide. At the very least, he stressed, be aware that manufacturing in the U.S. is losing out to other countries, particularly to China, India, and even Vietnam.
He was very upbeat about the future for his industry and his company, despite the current credit crunch. He reflected that during the nineteenth century, the industrial revolution was the key driver, and during the twentieth century mass media, telecommunications, and information technology drove the world economy. The major influence in the twenty-first century, according to a majority of the Fortune 500 chief executives will be the infrastucture. Looking at the U.S., he projected that approximately $13 trillion would have to be spent on rebuilding and expanding the infrastrucuture alone – a boon to the welding and cutting business (equipment and gases) – even if the start may be slightly delayed!
Britt Lovin then introduced the closing keynote speaker – Senator Fred Thompson, former presidential candidate and actor. The audience listened intently to his words, advice, and views on the upcoming elections.
During the five-day course of the convention, a number of hospitality sponsored evening events took place. One was an event sponsored by Taylor Wharton International (TWI), the first hospitailty event for its customers since TWI became indepenent from the Harsco Corporation. New TWI CEO, Bob Gadomsky, welcomed guests, informed the invited guests on the changes taking place, and bid a fond fareweill to Scott Boyd, who retired at the end of September. He also welcomed Stuart Java who succeeds Boyd.
Matheson Tri-Gas hosted a beach cocktail event, during which Rick Kowey welcomed Mr Kawaguchi, senior vice president of Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation. Mr Kawaguchi announced a number of changes and investments TNSC had made over the last year. He thanked the distributors for their support. Bill Kroll, CEO of MTG, also welcomed Mr Alfonso Elliot, managing director of Bahamas Welding and Fire Company, who is the sole distributor of industrial and medical gases in the Bahamas.
Air Products also hosted a hospitality event for its customers in the U.S. Tom Ward, VP Gases North America, greeted guests during a break from the renderings of the Carribean Jazz band.
Following the closing speech by the new president, delegates were invited to the President’s Farewell Gala that evening. Approximately 900 guests were greeted to Caribbean hositality and entertainment. A great end to a very interesting gathering! SGR
Pat Carlucci
Pat has over 30 years experience in the specialty gas and equipment industry, all in sales and marketing both in the US and abroad. He has University degrees in chemistry and masters in business/marketing focus. Pat now lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has spent over three years with SGR.
pat.carlucci@specialtygasreport.com
Gary Stoneback officially opened the conference once the Bahama National Junior choir had sung both the U.S. and Bahamian National Anthems. He gave a “State of the Association” speech on the changes made – especially in the auditing process and the drive for more transparency. Stoneback also stated that GAWDA events are becoming more challenging to organize as consolidation within the distributor community continues. However, he was extremely pleased to see the number of suppliers at the event.
The main speaker on the first day was Pat Williams, senior vice
president of the NBA Orlando Magic. He gave an informative and
motivational speech on the eight points to managing a successful team.
Many delegates were seen writing furiously to keep up on the main
points which no doubt wll be passed on to company executives over the
coming months. It was a powerful and a effective tool for management in
any industry.An interesting update was presented regarding changes taking place in both DOT and FDA regulations. Two of GAWDA’s consultants, Michael Dodd and Rick Schweitzer, expanded on this issue. A roundtable disussion followed during which distributors and suppliers assembled and debated items such as delivery times and efficiency.
Day 2 commenced with an early start for the customary supplier’s Contact Booth Program. More than 140 companies were represented – spanning the industry’s entire supply chain. The Contact Booth Program was well attended as hordes of distributors cruised the aisles. Incentives seemed to be working, wherever anyone looked.
On Day 3, Gary Stoneback passed the gavel to the new president – Britt Lovin, vice president of Andy Oxygen Company, Asheville, North Carolina. The delegates were introduced to Britt’s family and one image flashed on the screen seemed to fill the convention hall. The GAWDA presidents appear to be significantly younger looking these days. (General comments from the audience, not the perception of this aging writer!)
John Stropki, CEO of Lincoln Electiric, offered several interesting insights into the global cutting and welding hard goods industry. He cautioned, very succinctly, that local distributors and suppliers need to embrace the international opportunities that exist worldwide. At the very least, he stressed, be aware that manufacturing in the U.S. is losing out to other countries, particularly to China, India, and even Vietnam.
He was very upbeat about the future for his industry and his company, despite the current credit crunch. He reflected that during the nineteenth century, the industrial revolution was the key driver, and during the twentieth century mass media, telecommunications, and information technology drove the world economy. The major influence in the twenty-first century, according to a majority of the Fortune 500 chief executives will be the infrastucture. Looking at the U.S., he projected that approximately $13 trillion would have to be spent on rebuilding and expanding the infrastrucuture alone – a boon to the welding and cutting business (equipment and gases) – even if the start may be slightly delayed!
Britt Lovin then introduced the closing keynote speaker – Senator Fred Thompson, former presidential candidate and actor. The audience listened intently to his words, advice, and views on the upcoming elections.
During the five-day course of the convention, a number of hospitality sponsored evening events took place. One was an event sponsored by Taylor Wharton International (TWI), the first hospitailty event for its customers since TWI became indepenent from the Harsco Corporation. New TWI CEO, Bob Gadomsky, welcomed guests, informed the invited guests on the changes taking place, and bid a fond fareweill to Scott Boyd, who retired at the end of September. He also welcomed Stuart Java who succeeds Boyd.
Matheson Tri-Gas hosted a beach cocktail event, during which Rick Kowey welcomed Mr Kawaguchi, senior vice president of Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation. Mr Kawaguchi announced a number of changes and investments TNSC had made over the last year. He thanked the distributors for their support. Bill Kroll, CEO of MTG, also welcomed Mr Alfonso Elliot, managing director of Bahamas Welding and Fire Company, who is the sole distributor of industrial and medical gases in the Bahamas.
Air Products also hosted a hospitality event for its customers in the U.S. Tom Ward, VP Gases North America, greeted guests during a break from the renderings of the Carribean Jazz band.
Following the closing speech by the new president, delegates were invited to the President’s Farewell Gala that evening. Approximately 900 guests were greeted to Caribbean hositality and entertainment. A great end to a very interesting gathering! SGR
Pat Carlucci
Pat has over 30 years experience in the specialty gas and equipment industry, all in sales and marketing both in the US and abroad. He has University degrees in chemistry and masters in business/marketing focus. Pat now lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has spent over three years with SGR.
pat.carlucci@specialtygasreport.com
