Nearly half of the nation’s gross national product is related to welding in one way or another. Much of what we use in daily life is welded or made by equipment that is welded. There are welds in everything from bridges (infrastructure) to everyday widgets (durables). For industrial gases, welding customers are most typically in the big manufacturing fabrication sectors of the economy, such as automotive, or in construction sectors like transportation.
Today, infrastructure development is a major driver for welding applications in emerging economies where facilities like power plants and transportation systems are being built to meet new population demands. In the US, it is the redevelopment of existing infrastructure and alternative energy schemes, like wind power, that is driving demand.
CryoGas International asked John M. Stropki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (www. lincolnelectric.com) to discuss trends in welding markets. Lincoln was founded in 1895 and is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic welding systems, and plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 37 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 18 countries, and a global work force of more than 9,000.
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