Indiana Oxygen Wins Award For Promoting Welding Industry

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Oxygen has received the distinguished 2006 Image of Welding Award given by the American Welding Society (AWS) and the Welding Equipment Manufacturer’s Committee (WEMCO).

The award is given annually to industry professionals and organizations that show exemplary dedication to promoting the image of welding in their communities. Indiana Oxygen won in The Distributor’s Award category. There are more than 600 distributors nationwide.

“The Internet is changing the way we are able to deliver products to the consumer,” said Wally Brant, president of Indiana Oxygen. “Winning this award is an acknowledgment of the difference we at Indiana Oxygen have been able to make through technology in addition to placing a continued importance on old-fashioned customer respect.”

As the company continues to thrive in Indiana’s welding market, its corporate culture is reminiscent of days long ago. A third-generation family-owned and led company, Indiana Oxygen encourages its associates to participate and support AWS local initiatives and the company remains heavily involved in community events promoting welding education. As a result, The Section Award from the 2006 Image of Welding Awards show also went to the AWS Indiana Section, of which Indiana Oxygen participates.

“Over the past two decades, there has been a decline in skilled welders and the average age of welders today is currently 54,” said Brant. ”We hope that as a company, we can encourage more people to get involved even before high school, through 4-H competitions and county level contests.”

Today’s youth will reap higher paid positions when they graduate from school as a result of supply and demand. Dave Jackson, who manages Indiana Oxygen’s Bloomington, Indiana branch, is the liaison between AWS students and the company. He acknowledges great opportunities for today’s youth in the near future. “From the chair that you sit on to the bridge you drive over, welding affects nearly every aspect of your life,” said Jackson. “The more hands on training and opportunities that we can offer these young people, the better trained they will be for the demands placed upon them, such as repairing the nation’s aging infrastructure.”

Indiana Oxygen manufactures, sells and distributes industrial gases, laboratory gases, medical gases and welding supplies to companies and individuals across the country. In business for 91 years, the company’s headquarters are in Indianapolis and they have 9 regional offices in Indiana and Ohio.

Source: Indiana Oxygen