Arc3 Gases representatives Dan Skehan and Lane Holder recently joined host John Patrick on WGAC’s Augusta Business Review to discuss how Arc3 supports manufacturers, fabricators and welding professionals throughout the Augusta region and beyond.
During the conversation, Dan and Lane explain how Arc3 helps customers improve welding productivity, control operating costs and select the right equipment for their applications. They also discuss Arc3’s industrial gas capabilities, capital equipment offerings, repair services, technical training and the advantages of working with an independent, family-owned distributor.
Listen to the full interview below or read the complete transcript to learn more about the experience, service, and technical expertise Arc3 brings to its customers.
Augusta Business Review – Arc3 Gases Interview
Host (John Patrick):
Augusta's News Talk and Information Station, WGAC, welcomes you to the Augusta Business Review.
Welcome to the Augusta Business Review here on News Talk WGAC. I'm John Patrick, joined again today by Dan Skehan and Lane Holder from Arc3 Gases.
The website is arc3gases.com—A-R-C, the number 3, gases.com—and the phone number is 762-328-1000.
We're going to start with Lane. Lane, how are you this morning?
Lane Holder:
I'm doing good, John. Thanks for having us in again today.
John Patrick:
For someone who didn't hear us the first time, before we get into today's topic, what is Arc3 Gases?
Lane Holder:
We're a welding supply and industrial gases distributor. We handle welding equipment, welding supplies, and all the gases people need for industrial, medical, specialty gas, laboratory, and other applications.
John Patrick:
You're here in Augusta, but you're not just here. There are other locations.
Lane Holder:
That's correct. We have more than 60 locations across several states, including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Georgia is an important state for us, which is why we're here in Augusta.
John Patrick:
I'm not going to pretend I know much about this industry, but when we were together last time we talked about welding and cutting.
Let's talk about the brands you carry.
Lane Holder:
Sure, John.
Before I answer that, I also wanted to mention one reason we're in Augusta. We service surrounding areas including Thomson, Wrens, Waynesboro, North Augusta, and Aiken. We cover that part of South Carolina as well as the Augusta market.
As far as brands go, we partner with major manufacturers including:
- Lincoln Electric
- Miller
- Hypertherm
- ESAB
- Fronius
- DeWalt
These are all well-known manufacturers in the welding industry, and they're brands we're able to fully support.
John Patrick:
Can regular customers buy this equipment, or is it mostly for businesses?
Lane Holder:
Both.
Many of the larger systems are purchased by corporations and manufacturers, but all of those manufacturers also build equipment designed for backyard welders, small fabrication shops, and hobbyists, all the way up to high-production manufacturing environments running multiple shifts.
John Patrick:
Technology keeps changing for all of us.
How do you make sure your team stays current with all the new equipment and capabilities?
Dan Skehan:
We train continuously.
Most manufacturers like Lincoln, Miller, Fronius, and Hypertherm have required training, and we stay current with all of those requirements.
One advantage we have is that we're invited to specialized training that's outside the normal scope of a distributorship.
For example, last week two coworkers and I were outside Philadelphia learning about induction heating, a process developed by Miller Electric.
It's an alternative—and generally superior—method for heating parts before welding, performing post-weld heat treatment, and controlled cooling.
We're fortunate to be one of the very few distributors, if not the only one in our market, capable of bringing that technology to customers.
John Patrick:
How does that knowledge benefit your customers?
Dan Skehan:
It gives them a better alternative to traditional heating methods.
Historically, customers have used large open flames, which take a long time and require significant labor, or resistance heating, which involves installing numerous ceramic heating pads.
Both methods are labor-intensive, and time is money.
Induction heating provides much greater control and dramatically faster response times.
John Patrick:
We're talking with Dan Skehan and Lane Holder from Arc3 Gases.
The website is arc3gases.com.
We've got more to discuss. We'll take a short break and be right back.
(Commercial Break)
John Patrick:
Welcome back to the Augusta Business Review.
I'm John Patrick with Dan Skehan and Lane Holder from Arc3 Gases.
Again, the website is arc3gases.com, and the phone number is 762-328-1000.
We talked about your suppliers.
What does a customer actually receive when they choose to work with Arc3?
Dan Skehan:
They receive a wealth of experience.
Between Lane and me—even though we both look very young—we have more than 85 years of experience in this industry.
Experience creates knowledge, and knowledge allows us to consult.
What's important is that the products we sell account for only about 5–6% of the total cost of making a weld.
Simply being cheaper doesn't necessarily help our customers make more money.
The biggest expense is labor.
Where we provide value is improving productivity.
We do that by evaluating four measurable metrics within a welding operation.
Those include:
- Deposition rate—how many pounds of weld metal are deposited each hour.
- Operator factor—what percentage of the hour the welder is actually welding.
- Gas-to-wire ratio—whether consumables are being used efficiently.
- Weld bead size.
For example, if a drawing specifies a 3/16-inch fillet weld, but you're consistently depositing a 1/4-inch weld, you're over-consuming materials by roughly 78%.
These are measurable improvements.
If we can improve those metrics, we help our customers become more profitable.
John Patrick:
You've talked about consumables and welding supplies, but you're also involved in capital equipment.
Tell me about that side of the business.
Lane Holder:
Capital equipment generally refers to larger purchases.
Companies often make these investments through capital budgets, and there can be tax implications and manufacturer rebates involved.
In addition to everyday welding supplies, we represent equipment such as:
- Saws
- Ironworkers
- Press brakes
- Laser welders
From manufacturers including:
- Ellis
- HE&M Saw
- Koike
- Swift-Cut
These are major investments that require thoughtful purchasing decisions.
John Patrick:
You sell the equipment, but what happens afterward?
Do you repair it?
Is there warranty support?
Lane Holder:
Absolutely.
We work closely with all of those manufacturers.
We have factory-trained repair technicians on staff.
We're an authorized warranty repair center for most of the manufacturers we represent.
If your equipment is under warranty, we'll repair it.
If it's out of warranty, we'll repair it as well.
That's somewhat unique in our industry, and we're fortunate to receive strong support from our manufacturing partners.
John Patrick:
You also mention being independent on the gas side.
What does that mean?
Dan Skehan:
It means we work with multiple suppliers.
We're not dependent on a single source.
For example, about once each year there's usually a shortage of carbon dioxide because production plants temporarily shut down for scheduled maintenance.
We have multiple COâ‚‚ suppliers.
In addition, we operate our own fleet transporting product between our distribution facilities and our primary COâ‚‚ source outside Jackson, Mississippi.
Along the way we maintain large bulk storage systems, allowing us to continue supplying customers even during industry shortages.
We do the same thing with helium.
We have multiple sources, so if one supplier experiences disruption, we can continue serving customers through another.
That's what independence means—we maintain options through multiple supply sources.
John Patrick:
Last time you were here, I think we talked about beverage carbonation.
Dan Skehan:
Yes.
That's an important part of our business.
We serve customers from Delaware all the way down to the Orlando, Florida area.
That's a separate division within Arc3.
They have their own trucks, management team, dispatchers, and drivers, but they're all part of our overall company.
John Patrick:
If someone is hearing about Arc3 Gases for the very first time, sum up what makes your company different.
Lane Holder:
One thing I'd like to mention is that, as an independent family-owned company, we have capabilities throughout our footprint, including six fill plants and specialty gas production capabilities.
It's difficult to describe everything we do in one sentence because our offerings are so broad.
But I would say this:
Whether you're in fabrication or industrial gases, Arc3 brings the complete package, backed by outstanding service.
John Patrick:
Dan Skehan and Lane Holder from Arc3 Gases.
Visit arc3gases.com—A-R-C, the number 3, gases.com.
Gentlemen, thanks for stopping by again.
Dan Skehan:
You're welcome, John.
Lane Holder:
Thank you for having us.
John Patrick:
You've been listening to the Augusta Business Review on News Talk WGAC.
Partner With Arc3 Gases
Whether you operate a large manufacturing facility, a fabrication shop or a small welding operation, Arc3 Gases can help you identify the right equipment, gases and productivity solutions for your business.
Visit arc3gases.com or call 844-272-3427 to connect with the Arc3 Gases team.