Spring 2009 Issue No.

: 09-1

Trade Show 2009:

Vendor Pg. 3 Focus on Process Improvement
Spotlight
Direct Wire & Cable

Meet Our Pg. 4

Employees

New Products Pg. 5

& Innovation
Highlights
from Trade
Show 2008!

The theme of AWISCO’s Trade Show 2009, June

Awisco’s Pg. 6 10th and 11th in Maspeth, will be helping our cus-
Answer Man tomers to improve processes, productivity and profit-
ability. Projecting a positive turn in the economy and
a fresh new business climate to come, more than 40
of our vendor-partners will team up with our dynamic
sales staff to evaluate customer’s needs. Post show
visits to customer’s facilities will also be offered.
The Cradle Pg. 7 Exhibitors will include the ITW Welding Group
That Rocked Shea (Miller Electric, Hobart Brothers, Smith, Bernard
and Weldcraft), Thermadyne Industries (Thermal
Dynamics, Thermal Arc, Victor, Tweco/Arcair and
Stoody), ESAB, Lenox Tool, Hougen Manufacturing,
Torchwear, Mathey-Dearman, United Abrasives,
Awisco John Tillman Clothing, Scotchman Industries and
Pg. 8
many more.
In The News
Seven Convenient Locations! • Sales - Service -Rental
55-15 43rd Street, Maspeth NY 11378 Tel: 718-786-7788 Fax: 718-361-1855
20C Gleam St., W. Babylon NY 11704
Tel: 631-643-1308 Fax: 631-643-5611
4835 Veterans Hwy, Holbrook NY 11741
Tel: 631-615-3100 Fax: 631-737-1408
4713 NE 11th Ave., Oakland Park FL 33334
Tel: 954-493-9131 Fax: 954-493-9138
sales@awisco.net 800-834-1925
Of course, we will carry on the AWISCO Trade
Show tradition of contests and competitions, our
famous hospitality, a gourmet barbecue both days,
snacks, beverages and giveaways! Each afternoon
will be capped off with delicious Italian Ices hand
scooped and served by Robinsoni and O’Malleoni,
purveyors of fine frozen confections.
As past attendees know, AWISCO Trade Shows
have huge turn-outs and pre-registration is your key
to maximizing your show experience. Register today
at www.awisco.com. We look forward to welcoming
you to Trade Show 2009!
26 Industrial Dr., W. Milford NJ 07480
Tel: 973-728-9008 Fax: 973-728-8172
24 Lakeside Ave., W. Orange NJ 07052
Tel: 973-736-0200 Fax: 973-736-7541
222 US Hwy 206, Branchville NJ 07826
Tel: 973-948-4422 Fax: 973-948-0267
www.awisco.com
The Awisco Arc Issue No.: 09-1

From The Desk of Lloyd Robinson

Dear Valued Customer:

The arrival of our third edition of the AWISCO Arc coincides with the roll out of one of the
marketing efforts that makes us unique, our Customer Satisfaction Survey. In 1997, AWISCO was
one of the first compressed gas and welding distributors to reach out in this way and collect feedback
in an effort to improve the areas that you told us were important to you.
Our surveys are a product of the TQM (Total Quality Management) Program that we initiated
more than fifteen years ago. They derive from a very simple but often overlooked concept; what
“we think” is important may not correspond to what you think is important. Surveys are one of the
easiest and most efficient ways of finding out what you think.
The survey is divided into several of the activities in which we connect with and serve you. You
will have the opportunity to rate our performance as well as rank the importance of each of these
areas to you.
Our fourth survey is more streamlined and faster to finish than the first three. It should not take
you more than ten minutes to complete. We have already mailed surveys out to some of you. If you
have not received one, we also have a web based version of the survey for your convenience that
may be reached by clicking on the link at www.awisco.com/survey.html. Please take a few minutes
to visit our website and take the survey. Your input, as always, is invaluable.
Our mission is to make your experience with AWISCO the very best that it can be. Your feedback
will give us the fuel that we need to make it happen. This relationship is an integral part of what we
call the AWISCO Advantage. We are grateful for your participation, loyalty and friendship.

Yours truly

Lloyd Robinson
President

PS: I look forward to greeting all of you at our Trade Show 2009, June 10th and 11th in Maspeth!

 800-834-1925 www.awisco.com
 Issue No.: 09-1
Eric Laubach
Eric Laubach is a wiry kind of
guy; not his build, his business.
Our vendor spotlight falls on Eric
who is VP of Sales for Direct Wire
and Cable, one of the top manu-
facturers of welding cable and
accessories in the country.
A graduate of West Virginia
University, Eric started his pro-
fessional career in the industrial safe-
ty market. After
spending five years
selling safety equip-
ment across the
Northeast, Eric en-
tered the manu-
facturing world
promoting steel toe
work boots and shoes from New
England to North Carolina. His nine
year stint in the safety market then took
a dramatic and fortuitous turn. An
opportunity to return to his home
town and childhood roots beckoned
and he answered. So he loaded up
his truck with his then pregnant wife,
Wendy, and they moved to Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. His childhood friend’s
family business, Direct Wire & Cable,
needed a seasoned sales professional
to take the helm and Eric jumped at
the opportunity.
Now an eight year veteran of
Direct, Eric explained why his com-
pany stands out from the competition.
He said that Direct offers 100% guar-
anteed products, made in the USA, and
that all of their employees exhibit a
passion for cable you aren’t likely to
see anywhere else. To hear “We love
cable!” shouted throughout the day
at their corporate office is a common
occurrence. He also commented on
Direct’s ever evolving product line
and offerings such as Direct Connect
Service where they will cut cable to
any length and attach the connectors,
ground clamps, holders and lugs they
stock at their facility.
www.awisco.com
Vendor Spotlight
Their newest offering, Quick Print,
provides multiple benefits for users.
With Quick Print, you can have your
company name printed on your choice
of black, red, green, yellow or blue
cable for both identification and theft
deterrence. This allows you to eas-
ily identify your cables, especially
important on multiple contractor job-
sites. Eric will be showing off the ad-
vantages of Quick Print at the 2009
AWISCO Trade Show along with their
Ultra-Flex welding cable,
which is the most flex-
ible welding cable in the industry
as well as their wide assortment of cus-
tomized jumper cables, power cords,
plugs and adaptors. Be sure to attend
the show to get a hands-on experience
800-834-1925
The Awisco Arc
with these industry leading products
and services.
When Eric is away from his
professional world of cable he is
very much the family man. He enjoys
spending quality time with his wife,
Wendy, and their two children, seven
year old Abby and four year old Jake.
Living in the heart of Amish country
offers a wide variety of great food,
shopping and enjoying the outdoors.
You can bet on finding Eric doing
some fly fishing, golfing, playing
softball as long as his
knees will let him,
or just relaxing with
friends for a few laughs
on the back porch.
Eric stressed that he is
just one piece of the
puzzle that comes together to
make Direct Wire & Cable so suc-
cessful. He expressed thanks to
AWISCO for its friendships, part-
nerships and dedication to its
customers, thanks to Direct Wire &
Cable’s employees for their dedi-
cation to the people who are weld-
ing America, and most importantly
thanks to all of the customers. In fact,
Eric has extended an offer to all of
AWISCO’s customers to join him on
a tour of their Lancaster, PA facility
to see first hand everything that goes
into making the cables you use each
and every day. If you are interested in
taking a tour, contact your AWISCO
Account Manager.
Eric Laubach is one of AWISCO’s
most highly regarded vendor-part-
ners thanks to his commitment to
providing the highest quality prod-
ucts, service, and knowledge to all of
our customers. “I love what I do and
love what our products do,” Eric said.
Contact AWISCO today to find out
how you can benefit from all Direct
Wire & Cable has to offer.
By Mike D’Ambrosio,
Marketing

 The Awisco Arc
Abel Mariot and Joe Karnchanabut
Customer service is one of the key
elements that have helped build The
AWISCO Advantage. One area where
customer service is crucial is the high
octane Maspeth showroom. Our tag
team of counter personnel consisting
of Abel Mariot and Joe Karnchanabut
have proved time and again that they
can meet the challenge.
Abel’s AWISCO career began in
August of 2004 and Joe’s in November
of 2007, combined they give you more
than 6 years of experience working the
Maspeth counter. The pair followed
different paths to get where they are
now and that variety has proven to add
to their combined success. Abel studied
at Lincoln Technical Institute where he
honed his skills as an automotive tech-
nician before putting those skills to the
test for BMW of Manhattan. Joe, who
studied at SUNY Binghamton, held
a position at Time Warner doing lay-
out and design work, which led to him
being a sales manager for Duane Reade
as well as a merchandizing manager
Norma Feged
is an artist. You
may not have
Norma Feged
heard of her but
you’ve certainly
seen her work.
Every time you
walk into an
AWISCO store,
look at an AWISCO calendar, receive
our latest flyer or read this newsletter
you enjoy her talent and creativity.
Norma joined the AWISCO staff
October of 2003 with the daunting task
of redesigning our catalog. Her days are
filled with a wide variety of projects
from business cards to large outdoor
banners. She likes to get a general feel
for each project and the direction it’s
headed before creating a number of
 800-834-1925
Meet Our Employees
for Liz Claiborne. Abel’s techni-
cal experience combined with Joe’s
background in retail management is
a unique combination that brings an
unmatched level of service to cus-
tomers visiting the Maspeth store.
When asked about the day to day
goings on both noted that the first
thing that comes to mind is the fast
pace of activity in the showroom. “One
of the most important factors of
my day is being time sensitive.
Time is money for our custom-
ers so fulfilling our customer’s
needs as quickly and efficiently as
possible is my first priority,” said
Joe. Both Joe and Abel explained
that the fast pace of their jobs
plays a big part in why they enjoy
coming to work each day and the
ability to help so many people is a great
feeling. Abel added that “Everyday
my goal is to make our customers
happy and make sure they have the right
equipment and information to get their
job done right.”
different mock-ups for management to
review and critique.
Norma received a bachelor’s degree
in Fine Arts from The City College of
New York where she
specialized in graphic
design while studying at
the college’s Robinson
Center for Graphic Arts
and Communication De-
sign. Norma’s studies
seemed destined to lead
her to the AWISCO fami-
ly, as The Robinson Center at which she
studied got its name from its founder
Herbert Robinson, uncle to AWISCO
president, Lloyd Robinson. When asked
for the secret to her success she replied,
“My professional training has made me
an expert at layouts, type setting and
Issue No.: 09-1
To further enhance our customer’s
shopping experience the duo has made
big strides in remodeling the showroom
floor. Abel said, “We’ve put a lot of ef-
fort into making the showroom more
accessible so it is easier for customers to
find the equipment they need.” Joe also
felt the new layout of the showroom is
a big plus for our customers and added,
“We want the Maspeth store to be the
show piece of the corporation where
customers can come to learn, compare,
and get the most out of their shopping
experience.”
Abel Mariot and Joe Karnchanabut
know the value of teamwork and
efficient customer service and are
working everyday to bring that value
to all of AWISCO’s customers. Their
varied experiences and shared com-
mitment to make AWISCO the best it
can be is just another example of The
AWISCO Advantage and how it works
for our customers.
image retouching. Being able to use
high quality tools and software allows
me to bring my experience and artistic
nature to the forefront.”
Norma’s dedication, art-
istry and professionalism
are the corner stones of her
success and her fiery
passion is clearly seen in the
flaming “A” logo she creat-
ed. AWISCO would not be
the same and certainly
would not look the same
without Norma Feged and her wonder-
ful work.
By Mike D’Ambrosio,
Marketing
www.awisco.com
 Issue No.: 09-1
Wildcat™ 200
Trailblazer® 302 Air Pak
Improving Productivity
In these uncertain economic times
Innovation
it is imperative that we all pay close
attention to our expenses. Labor
is usually the biggest part of our
overhead and certainly a variable
that can be adjusted by optimizing
procedures.
Let’s take a look at the amount of
time we spend prepping material in
our fab shops. Here are some process
improvement areas that we may need
to focus on.
How do we currently cut our material?
Lots of shops still cut beams with oxy
fuel torches. If you are still using this
process it is a perfect time to consider
a Band Saw. Currently there are several
manufacturers that provide a wide array
of choices that can help expedite this
process. The current generation of saws
has the ability to self feed, measure, cut,
miter left and right and bevel. This piece
of equipment used in conjunction with
an overhead crane can greatly reduce the
labor cost and increase productivity.
www.awisco.com
New Products
The Power of Blue™ strikes again with
the creation of the compact, lightweight
and durable Wildcat 200. The Wildcat
200 is a fully enclosed DC gas driven
welder and generator combined in a new
compact frame. The new enclosure pro-
vides optimum protection for the 14 HP
Subaru engine as well as keeping dust,
debris and objects from entering the
unit. With a footprint that’s about 30%
smaller than comparable models in the
Miller Electric MFG. introduces the new
Trailblazer 302 Air Pak. This powerful
all-in-one tool is designed for repair and
construction with 350 amps of multi-
process weld quality, an integrated
rotary screw air compressor for air tools
or plasma cutting and 13,000 watts
of generator power for electric tools.
The Trailblazer 302 Air Pak boasts
the strongest combined generator-
compressor in the industry with enough
air and power to run Miller’s Spectrum
625 Plasma Cutter to its 5/8” rated mild
Custom cutting and drilling of base
plates and plates in general is another
labor intensive process. Consider a
Cutting Table with a Plasma Power
Supply. Tables can not only save time and
labor costs but significantly reduce scrap.
The Nesting Software in the controller
800-834-1925
The Awisco Arc
market place, the Wildcat offers the
contractor more truck bed space for
material and tools. The seven gallon
tank allows for 12 hours of runtime
when burning 1/8” electrodes mean-
ing more production with less down
time. Miller’s Wildcat 200 offers the
contractor a new choice in power and
economy. Your AWISCO showroom
is the place to see it.
steel cutting capacity. All of these
features are packed into a footprint
that takes 50% less space than a
separate engine drive and compressor
with 25% less axle weight. You asked
us for it, we turned to Miller and they
delivered! See this modern marvel at
your AWISCO branch today.
By Ray McKinnon
Purchasing
will reduce the scrap by calculating
the most efficient cutting pattern. The
operator on the shop floor loads the
material on the table, identifies the
job and the controller does the rest.
This system will interface with your
CAD or other design software to help
further maximize your employees time
as the job is automatically loaded onto
the controller. Many other features
like scribing or label printing may
be added to identify parts as they are
being produced. Depending on your
needs, Oxy Fuel Heads and Drill
Heads may be added. Imagine how
efficient your facility will be with one
or both of these tools on your floor.
Call upon the AWISCO Advantage,
our extensive team of resources and
seasoned professionals to work with
you and evaluate your overhead and
the savings you will realize. Contact
your AWISCO representative today.
By Felim O’Malley
VP Operations

The Awisco Arc Issue No.: 09-1

The Awisco Answer Man

Answer Man is one of the most popular features on the awisco.com website. We receive
questions on every aspect of welding, cutting and safety and carefully research our
responses. The following are recent questions submitted to the Answer Man.

Dear Answer Man:
What temperature should you
keep E6010 at for welding x-ray
quality joints on pipe?
–Joseph,
Stroudsburg, PA
class of electrodes should never be
stored in temperatures greater than
130 degrees and should never be
“reconditioned”. A full list of elec-
trode storage and conditioning tips
can be found on Hobart Brother’s
website. The link is: http://www.ho-
bartbrothers.com/pdf/support/Oven_
Storage_Chart.pdf
Thanks for asking.
The AWISCO Answer Man
and traps throughout your facility and
to add a dedicated water removal fil-
ter just before the inlet of your plasma
cutter. We carry a line of filters spe-
cifically designed to go inline with
your plasma cutter’s air supply. Just
call one of our knowledgeable sales
representatives at 1-800-834-1925
and tell them you need a water filter
for your plasma cutter.
Thanks for asking.
The AWISCO Answer Man

Dear Answer Man:

Dear Joseph:
Electrode manufacturers address
the issue of electrode moisture and
temperature. Generally speaking,
6010, 6011, 7010 and 8010 do not
require heating unless excessive
moisture is detected.
If moisture is not an issue, the
electrodes should be stored at “dry
room temperature” (between 40
and 120 degrees and between 50
and 70% humidity). If excessive
moisture is an issue, it is permis-
sible to put them in a rod oven set
between 110 and 120 degrees for
an hour. The “xx10” and “xx11”
I recently purchased
the same plasma
cutter that my uncle
has but I seem to be
using more nozzles
and electrodes than
he does for the same
amount of work.
Any idea why this
may be happening?
–William,
Morristown, NJ
Do you have a question
Dear William:
concerning, welding, cutting
The most common cause of pre- or safety? Go to
mature tip and electrode wear in www.awisco.com and click on
plasma cutting is excessive mois- the “Answer Man” link on the
left side. Your question will be
ture in the compressed air supply.
If you are using shop air and the answered and may be chosen
filter traps have not been drained in a for the next edition of
while, you may be pushing water with “The AWISCO Arc”.
your compressed air which not only
effects plasma consumables but also
can damage your air tools and other
pneumatic equipment. The cure is to By Victor Fuhrman,
make sure you have working filters CIO/VP Marketing

 800-834-1925 www.awisco.com
Issue No.: 09-1 The Awisco Arc

The Cradle that Rocked Shea

When Brooklyn based Breeze Demolition
was awarded the contract to dismantle
the 44 year-old home of the New York
Mets, they knew they had a daunting
task. The massive steel and concrete
structure, filled with lingering memo-
ries of heartbreak, miracles and triumph,
needed to be taken down with class, style
and efficiency.
Breeze called upon AWISCO, its sup-
plier of choice for welding and safety
supplies and compressed gases, to pro-
vide a solution for the large volumes
of cutting gases needed with minimal
cylinder handling, changeover and down-
time. Breeze knew that the “AWISCO
Advantage”, AWISCO’s combination of
technical expertise, incomparable service
and vast resources, would find the right
products for the job.
AWISCO turned to vendor-partner
Western International Gas and Cylinder
for a high volume acetylene distribu-
tion solution. The Bellville, Texas
based company is the world’s largest
manufacturer and supplier of acetylene.
AWISCO President Lloyd Robinson
visited WIG’s plant and was shown their
Micro Bulk Pack. The ten cylinder, 5000
cubic foot cradle yields as much gas as
Western International Gas Regional Sales
Manager Glenn Smith (right) explains
Micro Bulk Pack connections to AWISCO
Driver Victor Alamo.
18 standard large cylinders with mini-
mal setup, tear down and handling. He
immediately knew that this was the per-
fect fit for Breeze’s job as well as other
major projects in the New York area.
Eight of the Micro Bulk Pack Cradles
were specially built for the stadium
demolition and AWISCO became the
first distributor in the northeast US to
carry them.
Glenn Smith, WIG Regional Sales
Manager, worked with AWISCO and
Breeze personnel setting up the initial
cradles and training on their use. Smith
pointed out that the cradle system not
only saves time but also is safer to use
than individual cylinders. “Flash arres-
tors built in to the manifold and a single
connection point makes these units
safe, cost effective and easy to use,” he
concluded. Smith also coordinated with
AWISCO and WIG’s plant to ensure an
uninterrupted supply.
Breeze used 18 cradles since taking
delivery of the first units on October
30th, 2008, the equivalent of 324
individual tanks. With demolition
complete, the tremendous savings are
very apparent. Breeze Field Supervisor
Anthony Canario praised the unit’s per-
formance saying, “The Western cradles
were efficient, easy to use and helped us
bring the job in on schedule.”
Breeze, AWISCO and WIG’s cra-
dles “rocked” Shea into a gentle and
memorable good night.
This success story is another example
of why major construction, demoli-
tion and fabricating companies select
AWISCO as their supplier of choice.

By Victor Fuhrman,
CIO/VP Marketing
There was one correct response to
IndusTrivia

?
last edition’s IndusTrivia question.

? ? ?
THE QUESTION:
Think you know a lot about welding, cutting ?
and safety? To whom and in what year

? ?
Here’s your chance to test your knowledge and win an AWISCO Tee Shirt! was the first patent granted for
plasma arc cutting?

?
If you know the answer to the following question, go to our website,
www.awisco.com/Trivia.html, submit your answer, and if your’s is one of Elliot Wiener from Juniper
the first ten correct submissions, you will win an AWISCO Tee Shirt! Industries, knew that Dr. Robert Gage
of Union Carbide, received the first
Question: Who struck the first arc? patent for Plasma Arc cutting in 1957!
Elliot wins an AWISCO tee-shirt.
The answer will appear in our next edition of “The AWISCO Arc”. Congratulations, Elliot!
www.awisco.com 800-834-1925 
 The Awisco Arc
55-15 43rd Street
Maspeth NY 11378
“Go Green” with Awisco
and save our trees for
future generations.
Subscribe to the electronic
edition of The Awisco Arc at
www.awisco.com and push
the “Go Green” button on
the top of the page.
Seven Convenient Locations! • Sales - Service -Rental
55-15 43rd Street, Maspeth NY 11378 Tel: 718-786-7788 Fax: 718-361-1855
20C Gleam St., W. Babylon NY 11704
800-834-1925 Tel: 631-643-1308 Fax: 631-643-5611
www.awisco.com 4835 Veterans Hwy, Holbrook NY 11741
sales@awisco.net Tel: 631-615-3100 Fax: 631-737-1408
4713 NE 11th Ave., Oakland Park FL 33334
Tel: 954-493-9131 Fax: 954-493-9138
sales@awisco.net 800-834-1925
AWISCO In The News
AWISCO Staff Attend University!
AWISCO is big on training and in the United States to subscribe to it and
education…so much so that it is sending enroll employees. More than 60 AWISCO
most of its employees to university! The staffers have received certificates so
school in question is GAWDA University far for classes that include a wide
and in all honesty, the campus is on the range of safety and compliance topics.
Training our staff to serve you better is
internet! GAWDA (Gases and Welding
just another example of the AWISCO
Distributor Association) has created this
cyber school for its distributor members Advantage!
and AWISCO is one of the first distributors
Welcome Women Welders
Since Rosie the Riveter, women have proven their
industrial abilities time and time again. Opportunities
for women in construction and welding are greater
today than at any point in American history. AWISCO
recognizes the growing presence of women in the field
and now offers a full line of gender specific personal
protective equipment including welding apparel,
gloves and accessories. We encourage women looking
for a career to consider welding and construction and
to know that AWISCO is here for you.
 800-834-1925
Issue No.: 09-1
26 Industrial Dr., W. Milford NJ 07480
Tel: 973-728-9008 Fax: 973-728-8172
24 Lakeside Ave., W. Orange NJ 07052
Tel: 973-736-0200 Fax: 973-736-7541
222 US Hwy 206, Branchville NJ 07826
Tel: 973-948-4422 Fax: 973-948-0267
www.awisco.com
AWISCO Recognized for Supporting
AWS Foundation
The Long Island Section of the
American Welding Society (AWS)
recently lauded AWISCO’s support of
the AWS Foundation campaign to recruit
and train new welders. “The Long Island
Section would like to recognize AWISCO
Corporation President Lloyd Robinson
for stepping up in the first group of donors
to the AWS Foundation’s Welding for the
Strength of America Campaign,” it said
in its recent bulletin.
“It makes total sense for welding supply
distributors to contribute to the campaign
as our future customers will come from
the welding professionals brought into the
industry by this worthwhile and essential
initiative,” Robinson commented. The
LI Section agrees with Mr.
Robinson and applauds
his taking the lead in this
effort and his generosity.