What Your Customers Really Want
Welding and gases end-users have strong ideas on what they look for when choosing a supplier. Is it low price? Service? Great product? The answers may surprise you. Here’s their take on why they buy from you—or don’t—and what they really think about the distributor-manufacturer relationship.

How To Use Customer Surveys
Done properly, surveys can tell a lot about your business.
By Jason Effing, P.E.

Turn A Negative Into A Positive
How to benefit from customer complaints
By Gary Moore

MEMBER PROFILE
Melo’s Gas & Gear
With two locations and a new acetylene plant, Melo’s Gas & Gear is primed for continued growth.

ACETYLENE ACTION

What To Do When The Sky Is Falling
Would you know what to do if an extreme challenge hit your business?

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Force Majeure And Requirements Contracts
What happens when a seller’s performance is affected by some unforeseeable event.
By Richard P. Schweitzer, Esq.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

It’s Time To Revisit Your IT Strategy
Companies feel new stresses to squeeze more value out of their IT budgets.
By Vict Ying

WELDING EQUIPMENT

The Low Cost Myth
Technical advancements in raised hub wheels
By David J. Long

GAS STRATEGIES

Alternative Fuels
Propylene, propane, natural gas and proprietary blend misconceptions
By John Henderson

WELDING FUME NEWS

FIC Decommissions Risk Retention Group
A history lesson in fume coverage
By Wally Brant

HUMAN RESOURCES

U Text, I Type
Resolving communication differences in the workplace
By Robert Wendover

2011 ANNUAL CONVENTION
Preview Of Speakers And Events
New York, New York is GAWDA’s kind of town.

GAWDA Gives Back
Two organizations chosen that help students and firefighters in need.

GOING GREEN

Encourage Your Customers To Go Green
Sustainability benefits the bottom line.
By Christine Corelli

Green Product Guide
Equipment and supplies for an ecoconscious customer

SALES & MARKETING

Connecting With Customers
Distributors share social media success stories.

Building The Customer Of The Future
National Science Foundation gives $3M to Weld-Ed.

DEPARTMENTS

President’s Perspective – Upcoming Initiatives Keep Industry Strong
By Lloyd Robinson

Director’s Desk – Time To Renew
By John Ospina

Editor’s Notes – The Customer Connection
By Carole Jesiolowski

Executive Editor – John Ospina • Managing Editor – Carole Jesiolowski
Assistant Editor – Devin O’Toole • Contributing Editor – Steve Guglielmo • Print Design – Paul Brunell
Online Design – Jacob Rogers • Production Editor – Quinn Hubbard • Relationship Manager – Mike Green

Editorial correspondence should be sent to Carole Jesiolowski, Managing Editor, Welding & Gases Today, carole@WeldingandGasesToday.org. Advertising correspondence and materials should be sent to Judy Flanagan, Data Key Communications, Inc., 5794 Widewaters Parkway, Dewitt, NY 13214; telephone 315-445-2347; fax 315-445-9336.