Q4 2009 / You never know what’s just around the corner

A Global Perspective

Are you interested in the international market and specifically the specialty gas industry around the world? Here is our owner, John Raquet’s, point of view:

“I have had time to listen to various U.S. views on the U.S., the North American, and the global market and feel that while there are distributors, end-users, and producers reading this magazine that are only interested in their own geography, be it an area, a State, or a region within the U.S. – we can all learn something from each other – from everyone working in the special gases business, all over the world. That is why I want to bring in more international stories and also why I am rolling out the magazine to the global audience ? because the international scene can learn a lot from the U.S. way of doing things.” As a sidelight, SGR’s readership has increased about 25% over the past year, mostly due to international demand.

“I would also like to add that U.S. equipment suppliers to the North American market may be losing out on a market that is at least the same, if not larger than, the one they 100% focus on today. Can we, at this time of recession and slow recovery ignore the international market? This is why SGR is going even more global in 2010 including a roll out of electronic versions to wider markets. So I encourage you – the current readers – to absorb the vast amount of experience that is out there – both across the U.S. and afar.”

Distributors March Forward

and information.

Look for upcoming information on a special gases conference to be held in mid-2010 that SGR will be organizing. Part of the knowledge enhancement program that we can offer is the gathering of the special gases community to learn from experienced campaigners and even innovative technology suppliers.

A look back at our first year as a new team

This year has been a tremendous year of transition for the economy, the gas industry, as well as our magazine. The economy is struggling to course-correct and as we go to press the U.S. government has issued statistics to show we are officially out of the recession. However, some analysts think it will be a long “L-shaped” recovery ? not the “V-shaped” one we’d all hoped for.

The specialty gas industry has struggled to adapt to new technologies and changing demands as well as the changed economy. During this last year, our own magazine has been completely re-structured with almost a new team at the helm. The structure now in place offers a transcontinental approach which we hope will greatly expand the abilities both of our printed magazine and our website to provide greater information to our readership and opportunities for readers and sponsors to reach a wider audience, and of course, greater access to knowledge of and information on the specialty gases sector.

We have been working hard to integrate the new international team, to contact new players, and to develop concepts for features and departments we believe will provide maximum benefits for all our readers in the year ahead. We hope you enjoyed some of the early results of this collaboration.

For example, we covered topics ranging from major events like Pittcon to highly technical articles like helium production. We have also covered numerous specialty gas devices from switchover systems to specialized gas detectors and their maintenance as well as basic gas principles such as vacuum technologies. Of course, we also strove to keep you up-to-date on practical topics like compliance issues and cylinder handling. We’ve also sought to expand our coverage of new products, literature, and websites as well as news ? both local and international, offering U.S. readers the broadest view possible of potential opportunities.

Outflank the future, don’t attach to the past

OK. We all know it’s not been a good year for our industry economically. But history does have a lot to teach us. In 216 BC the Roman Consul Varro was determined to defeat an upstart who called himself “Hannibal.” Varro was a very confident man? maybe a bit like our Wall Street executives today.

Hannibal, however, understood his temperament and artfully used something called “envelopment tactics” to shrink the surface area of the combat zone. He drew up his least reliable infantry in a semicircle in the center creating what looked like a weak point. He also put his most skilled cavalry in the wings so he could hit their flanks with enough power to shatter them ? plus he held his heaviest cavalry in reserve, behind the Romans. Their whole army was hemmed in. So that with inferior numbers this “upstart” Hannibal was able to surround and destroy the most powerful force that existed in his world at his time ? the Roman army. Yes, historians still quibble, but many do consider it one of the most catastrophic defeats in all human history.

So why should a specialty gas company care today? Because we can learn from it ? be ready to change tactics, be ready to be creative, and maintain courage among your “troops,” You can win ? even against the most powerful economic and competitive forces of your own day.

Is there a lesson for us at SGR? Yes! We need to offer our readers the knowledge they need to stand and deliver ? even against what appears to be insurmountable odds. So that is our goal, our dedication, and commitment to you our readers during 2010.

All in all, look out for a year ahead that offers you information, opportunities, and events that will expand your business.

As always, if you have ideas, please email us. To borrow that famous. closing phrase from Frazier’s old sitcom, “We’re listening!”

Finally, the entire SGR team wishes you a big Season’s Greetings and a far more prosperous year in 2010.