Independent Distributors – 1st-Half 2026 Trends & Priorities for 2nd-Half
For U.S. Independent industrial gas and welding Distributors, the first half of 2026 brought a noticeably better business environment—but not an easy one. Manufacturing activity improved, welding equipment demand strengthened, and pricing remained constructive. At the same time, the recovery was uneven, input costs remained elevated, helium and CO2 highlighted continuing supply vulnerabilities, and consolidation […]
First-Half 2026 Industrial Gas Performance and Outlook
The major industrial gas companies delivered a resilient first half of 2026 despite the absence of a broad industrial recovery. The primary takeaway is that earnings growth continues to exceed underlying volume growth. Pricing, productivity, project start-ups and portfolio actions are compensating for muted base demand—particularly in Europe—and demonstrating the resilience of the industry’s long-term […]
Technology’s Impact on Strategic Planning and Execution
Special thanks to Computers Unlimited (David Schaer), CM2 Incorporated (Kevin Falconer) and Norris Cylinders (Jessie Strong and Michael Rollins) for their insights and contributions. In this ever-changing business landscape of technological advancements and regional/global disruptions, strategic planning has become essential for businesses seeking to navigate these uncertainties. While historically viewed as an inflexible, long-term process, strategic planning has evolved significantly in recent years. Several key trends have emerged in this space including more frequent review cycles, broader use of data-driven analytics, increased focus on resilience and sustainability, and tighter integration with day-to-day […]
Resilience Keys to Success
Thanks to the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) for publishing the full article their Q1 2025 issue of “Gases & Welding Today” magazine. Over the past 5+ years, resilience has become a hot topic in almost every area of life. From the best-selling books such as “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant […]
Update on Hydrogen Policies…how are we doing?
Thanks to Richard Boocock of Boocock Advisory Ltd. for his insightful contributions. For close to a decade, Hydrogen (H2) has been touted as one of the keys to the energy transition. It will play a critical role acting as both an energy carrier enabling the storage and transportation of renewable electricity (i.e., from solar and […]
Generative AI for Industrial Gases
Special thanks to Allison Earlbeck (CEO, Earlbeck Gases), David Schaer (President, Computers Unlimited) and Dave Beltz (CIO, Trinseo) for their contributions. It seems as if 2023 was the year the “world” first heard about Generative AI (Gen AI). It was clearly one of the most impactful stories driven by remarkable technological progress that matched or surpassed […]
The Business Of CO2
Special thanks to Chris Carson, Managing Director of BioCarbonics Ltd, founder of Carbonic Solutions BV and Rich Gottwald, President & CEO of the Compressed Gas Association (CGA). Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is one of the top-5 industrial gases with global consumption of about 235 million tons (Mt) annually, primarily going into the fertilizer industry for urea […]
The Business Of Specialty Gases
Special thanks to Matt Adams, Executive Vice President, Electronic Fluorocarbons, Christian Card, Vice President of Sales, Noble Gas Solutions, and Mike Corbett, Managing Partner for Linux-Consulting for their contributions. The content for this blog was published in the November 2022 US Print edition of GasWorld. Specialty gases have become critical components for nearly every industry. […]
US Distributor Update
Special thanks to Ben Bisconer, CEO of Complete Welders, Scott Myran, President of Mississippi Welders Supply Company (MWSCO), Joe Francis, President and CEO of Central McGowan, and Allen Jezouit, VP Product Management, Meritus Gas Products for their contributions. The content for this blog was published in the October 2022 US Print edition of GasWorld. Almost […]
Business Trends and their Impact on Strategy, Growth, and Talent
Special thanks to Freddie Briggs, VP of Strategy & Value Creation for PDC Machines LLC, Rick Kowey, COO of Universal Compressed Air (UCA), Kevin Lynch, SVP of Industrial Gases at Anova, and Sobia Chaudhry, VP of HR at PDC Machines for their contributions. The content for this blog was published in the July 2022 US […]