Arkansas Welding Expo Ignites a Passion in Little Rock

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, December 9, 2010 - Over 1,700 welding enthusiasts including professional welders, students and teachers attended the Arkansas Welding Expo presented by WELSCO at Verizon arena.

The Welding Expo has evolved over the past several decades into an educational and informational event and is hosted by Welsco's infamous "Orange Shirt Squad".

The event also showcased over 40 national welding suppliers. Many of the nation’s top welding vendors --Miller, Lincoln Electric, Hobart, Thermadyne, Hypertherm and more--provided hands-on demonstrations and educational opportunities. Customers and students were encouraged to participate at every booth and were able to buy welding products such as welders, abrasives, and clothing at significant discounts. Also on hand was the Miller Roadshow trailer and the impressive Jet Dragster.

Monica Pfarr with the American Welding Society held presentations for students entitled “Let the Sparks Fly”. The feedback from last year’s session was so positive that over 700 students attended this year to hear more about job potential in the welding industry.

Lincoln Electric displayed VRSim's Virtual Reality Welding Trainer - the SimWelder. The SimWelder is a computer-based educational tool that simulates the SMAW and GMAW welding processes in a virtual environment. The Trainer helps students practice their welding techniques on tee and groove joints in multiple positions. Lincoln Electric and VRSim are partners in the development of the next generation of Virtual Reality Welding Trainers. Door prizes were awarded to those who had the best technique scores.

Miller, Thermadyne and Hypertherm supplied machines that were raffled off and 100% of the proceeds were donated to the Easter Seals organization. This year, each of the machines donated was won by a student. “This is incredible,” stated Charles Ross, Vice President at WELSCO. “The whole event is designed to be a resource to help people improve and succeed in the field of welding. The machines donated and won actually represent a significant contribution to the future of these students.”

View the 2010 Photo Album.

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About WELSCO - WELSCO, Inc. has served the Arkansas and surrounding states’ welding community for over 65 years. In addition, WELSCO provides gases for industrial, specialty and medical uses. WELSCO is the nation's largest woman-owned welding company. Our Corporate Headquarters and Distribution Center is located less than 1 mile from Interstate 430 in North Little Rock on Crystal Hill Road. The facility incorporates a state-of-the-art industrial gas filling plant.

Contact:
Angela Harrison
WELSCO
9006 Crystal Hill Rd.
P.O. Box 1058
North Little Rock, AR 72113
Ph: 501-771-1204
Fax: 501-771-4062

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