Welding & Gases Today Profiles Melo's Gas & Gear
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Bakersfield, California, distributor looks to grow with new acetylene plant.
Dewitt, NY - Almost 25 years after taking his first position in the gases and welding industry, David Melo was at a crossroads. His employer had consolidated the office where he served as marketing director and was asking him to leave Bakersfield, California, and relocate to Chicago. Instead, Melo decided to get together with a group of industry colleagues and open up his own shop. Melo's Gas & Gear is the focus of the GAWDA Member Profile in the Summer 2011 issue of Welding & Gases Today, the leading magazine for the gases and welding equipment industry.
After founding the Bakersfield, California, company, Melo immediately set out to address cylinder tracking. "Reconciling cylinder balances can be an incredibly frustrating and potentially damaging process for a distributor." Without a cylinder tracking system in place, it's hard to truly know who should have what cylinder. This often leads to a back and forth with the customer that is the definition of a no-win situation. From day one, Melo's Gas & Gear has invested a significant amount of time, energy, labor and money into its cylinder tracking program.
For Melo's Gas & Gear, 2011 came with a reason to celebrate. The company's Bakersfield location has its own pumping facility where the company pumps oxygen, nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide. However, the facility was rather cramped, and Melo was looking to upgrade. On January 1, the company took over a 2.3-acre acetylene production plant from Air Liquide. For Melo's Gas & Gear, a company that has always taken pride in its "independent" label, it is now able to operate with a greater level of autonomy than ever before.
To find out what lies ahead for Melo's Gas & Gear, read "Melo's Gas & Gear" (http://www.weldingandgasestoday.org/index.php/2011/07/melos-gas-gear/ ) at Welding & Gases Today Online. For more information, contact Devin O'Toole, content editor at Welding & Gases Today at devin@weldingandgasestoday.org or 315-445-2347.
About GAWDA
Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry's voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.
