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Page 9
Feature Article

Kobelco in the AWS Welding Show Attracts over 20,000 Visitors

The 47th Annual International Welding and Fabricating Exposition and the 81st AWS Annual Convention was held at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago, Illinois. This annual exposition is also known as the AWS Welding Show and is one of the largest welding events in the world. Kobeico Welding of America (KWAI) was one of 617 exhibitors there, attending from April 26 to the 28th.

KWAI's booth seemed to attract a lot of visitors who came looking for innovative Kobeico welding wires as well as technical assistance on welding consumables and welding procedures. KWAI emphasized Kobeico flux cored wires, which offer high welding efficiency and superior weldability, by demonstrating the wires in the demo booth. KWAI exhibited new products, including DW-50, classified as AWS A5.20 E7 IT-1, which offers better weld- ability in vertical up positions. DW-329AP is another highlight, as a special flux-cored wire for duplex stainless steel, offering excellent weld- ability in all-position welding. This welding show was a valuable occasion for the KWAI Chicago Sales Office to promote its business in the Midwest.

At this occasion, KWAI also held a reception for the Kobeico Welding Associa- tion (KWA), inviting almost 100 members and customers to celebrate its 10th anniversary. At the ceremony, Tom Konohira (Chairman, KWAI), Duke Kawaue (President, KWAI), Bryan Willingham (President, BMS) and Jack Barton (General Manager, Koike Aronson) lined up on stage to kick off the party. The party began with "Kagami-Wari," a traditional ceremony, in which a few executives break open a barrel of Sake (a Japanese traditional wine) with wooden mallets. After the lid is cracked, the Sake is shared by everyone at the party. Following some executives' witty remarks, everyone toasted a KWA's prosperous future. With satisfaction or disappoint- ment of attendees, door prizes (including Poke-mon cards) were passed out. A live band provided music and a good time was had by the entire group at the party.

It has been over 40 years since a Kobeico welding consumable was first launched on the North American market. KSL's steady business expansion in the market led to the establishment of KWAI in Houston 10 years ago in order to provide better service for increasing customers. KWAI is forging ahead, targeting increased business progress in the new decade. Looking forward to meeting you at the next AWS Welding Show in Cleveland, Ohio in 2001.

(Reported by Y. Nakai, KSL)

With hearty welcome and skillful demos, the KWAI booth attracted many visitors during the welding fair.


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