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CONTENTS
02
04
06
08
10
12
15
16
18
20
22
23
Welcome
Conference 2011
Industry News
Product Reviews
● Thermadyne Industries
Plasma Cutting & Welding Helmets
● 3M - Eye Protection
● Gullco International
Welding Carriage
● Weldability-Sif
Paste Flux & Welding Machines
● JEI Solutions - Plate Beveller
● GYS - Plasma Cutting
Industry Insight
Welding World Highlight
● Fowlmere Engineering
Ask The Expert
Jon Mills Interview
TWI
Spatter Matter
Harvey’s weldweb
Sif tips
AWD MEMBERSHIP
For more information and becoming a member
can help your business contact us on:
01952 290036
or email us at
membership@awd.org.uk
or visit us on the internet at:
www.awd.org.uk
Message from your Chairman...
A NEW FUTURE FOR THE AWD
I would like to say ‘thank you’, to all the Membership for electing me to the
post as your National Chairman. I have been closely involved in the welding
distribution industry both at BOC and as Managing Director of Weldability-Sif.
I hope this past experience will stand me in good stead as your new Chairman.
WELCOME
I further would like to thank my predecessor Danny Gallagher, on behalf of the AWD Council and all the
members, for his tremendous work, commitment and enthusiasm during his Chairmanship. He has served
the AWD and the Council well for over 11 years.
When I started my career in the Welding Industry back in the 70’s it was a time of much change. It in
fact was the very moment when the manufacturers became focused on the distributive trade for its
pathway to service industry. Most Welding Product brands of the time were delighted for the opportunity
to cut their operational costs and support their preferred distributor route to market. Sadly some of those
brands today now support the notion that only 60% of sales should go via the distributor and 40% should
go direct. 33 years on and is this repeating pattern the new direction of the Welding Distribution industry?
I am certain that many of my fellow AWD Members today can be satisfied that their fellow AWD
Members, who often own major product brands, still believe that supplies to the Distributive trade
remains the only route to market. It is those values that will help us ensure a positive and mutuallysuccessful
future for our market.
I am happy to report that since announcing the need to form 3 new working groups at the AWD
conference in April, the groups have been formed with the first meeting of the PSQ (Product Safety and
Quality) committee in particular, taking place on the 4th July. Each of the groups will play an active role
in delivering information and constructive assistance to the Membership and help the industry develop
its professionalism and relevance still further.
Projects within the UK’s Renewable Energy sector strategy and structure will remain central to the future
of the Welding Industry and provide us all with many new opportunities for investment, innovation and
profit. The AWD is aligning itself with many of these projects in order to assist Members in developing
local contacts to supply. The AWD’s strongest marketing tool is the “Welding World” brand which is
being trademarked and is clearly promoted by our magazine and exhibition. Your continued support of
these activities should be seen as time and money well spent in investing in a brighter future in more
ways than one!
Our Membership Manager, Wendy Barber, is busily contacting each Member and establishing how
exactly the AWD can make a difference to your business. Many are taking the opportunity to use the
magazine and website to advertise and as both of these become more central to industry-wide
communication, your membership status is further enhanced.
We must act as an Association representing the needs of its Members and to take control of promoting
all that is good about our industry, including good practice and products, eradication of bad practices
and putting forward the long-term benefits of more professional welders.
We, the AWD National Executive, National Council and Regional officers are well on the way to delivering
many of our best intentions and we thank you for your continued support in doing so.
Adrian Hawkins, Chairman
Welding
Industry News Reviews Membership News FeaturesW rld
AGM & Conference Industry News
Product Reviews Ask the Expert
JULY
also...
Welding World Highlight
FRONT COVER IMAGE:
The Dyfi Bridge in Machynlleth
Metalworking sculptor
PUBLISHED BY:
Association of Welding Distribution Ltd.
Secure Hold Business Centre, Studley Road,
Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 7LG
Tel: 01952 290036
Fax: 01952 290037
Email: secretaraiat@awd.org.uk
Web: www.awd.org.uk
EDITOR:
Martin Clark
Tel: 01952 250312
Email: editor@awd.org.uk
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Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in each issue of Welding World, the
publishers, authors and printers cannot except liability for errors or omissions nor for any claims made by the
advertisers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior
permission of the copywrite holder and the publisher. Applications for which must be made direct to the publisher.
The Association, publishers, editors or it’s contributors cannot be held responsible for any statements of views
expresses editorily. The opinions expressed by the correspondents are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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