CWA News
The voice of the welding industry in Canada
May 2007
HISTORY CHANNEL — MODERN MARVELS
The History Channel will explore the history, science and technology of welding on its Modern Marvels program at 10:00 pm (Eastern) on Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Don’t miss it!
MERGER — CWA & CWB GROUP
For the last several months, the Executive Committee has been exploring a merger between the CWA and the CWB Group. At the CWA board of directors meeting that was held in Edmonton on Saturday, May 5, the board endorsed proceeding with the merger with by an overwhelming majority. Minutes of the meeting and the presentation by Doug Luciani have been posted.
Under the terms of the merger, the CWA would become a division of the CWB Group and the board structure of the CWA would remain in place. Chapters would continue to operate as they do now. They would have assistance in program development and marketing from CWB Group staff.
Over its 60-year history, the CWB Group has moved well beyond its original mandate for monitoring the safety standards for welding structural steel. To some degree, it now encompasses all forms of welding in Canada as do CWA members. As is the practice in the USA (AWS), the UK (TWI) and other major industrial countries, this merger will bring together major national welding organizations into one entity.
The merger will bring major benefits to all stakeholders in the Canadian welding industry, CWA members, and CWB Group. Examples of benefits to CWA and CWA members will be:
- improved program deliverables at the chapter level;
- increase membership in CWA;
- extend CWA chapters into all regions of Canada;
- form a truly national body for welding in Canada;
- assist CWA operations through the administrative and operational resources of CWB Group;
- improve communications between CWA chapters;
- provide a unified web-based portal for welding jobs in Canada.
The merger must be approved by both the members of CWA and the board of directors of CWB Group. A ballot will be mailed to you on May 9 with a postage-paid envelope. Please complete it and return it to CWA ASAP. You could also attend a Special Meeting to approve the merger. It will be held at the Granite Ridge Golf Club in Milton, Ontario at 10:00 am on Friday, May 25, 2007. (Granite Ridge is north of Highway 401 on Highway 25. Follow the signs.)
Help CWA to move ahead! Your vote will count; please exercise it.
CWA NATIONAL SEMINAR PROGRAM
On May 30, CWA will kick off its new National Seminar Program with Welding Productivity – Key to Profitability. This one-day seminar will be held in Burlington, Ontario. It is the first of a series of seminars that will be held in various locations across Canada. Welding Productivity features seven knowledgeable speakers on topics that will give attendees tips, techniques and technology that they can take home and use:
- Hybrid Laser Welding Overview – Jeff Defalco, ESAB Welding & Cutting Products
- Productivity-improvement Opportunities in Welding and Fabrication – Finding the Low-hanging Fruit – Jim Galloway, Conestoga College, Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
- Improving Welding Productivity through Appropriate Gas Selection – Stephen Hewitt, BOC Canada
- Increasing Productivity Through the Use of Tubular Welding Products – Mike MacGillivray, Hobart Brothers of Canada
- Software-modified Welding Processes to Optimize Productivity – Dale Malcolm, Lincoln Electric Company of Canada
- Economics and Success with “Super Flexible” Robot Systems for Small to Medium Size Companies – Tim Nacey, Panasonic Factory Solutions Company
- Welding Health and Safety: Using CSA W117.2 to Protect Your Workers and Your Organization – Ed Whalen, CWB Group
Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your bottom line.
CANADIAN WELDING ASSOCIATION JOURNAL
It’s in the mail! And it has our first home project article. We certainly could use another home project article.
The theme for the summer issue is Automation. Any ideas for articles or authors?
WESTERN MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY SHOW
Many of CWA’s supplier members will exhibit at the Western Manufacturing Technology Show in Edmonton from June 19 to 21. This is an opportunity for members and welding professionals to see the latest in welding equipment and products.
SKILLS CANADA
The regional skills competitions are taking place across Canada.
The national Skills Canada competitions will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from June 6 to 9, 2007. Visit www.skillscanada.com for details.
CWA’S WEBSITE
Our website continues to draw thousands of visitors. The most-often-visited pages are those related to the Canadian Welding Association Journal, press releases and human resources (résumés and job opportunities).
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