View Full Version : Just Curious ~ history lesson
Rocky D
12-13-2007, 03:48 PM
When Hobart had to sell off their industrial division to Thermadyne, what models were transfered, deleted, and did Thermadyne just paint 'em their color or did they re-engineer them, or what? Did Hobart transfer anything to Miller?
Inquiring minds like to know these things.:D
ITW purchased Hobart in 1996, they sold off the Industrial products consisting of all the machines 250 amp and larger. The first owner of the industrial product line and the industrial battery chargers was Arcsys and the equipment remained the same with a name change. After 18 months the industrial welding products unit was sold to Thermadyne and the logo/paint color was changed to join the Thermal Arc welding products group.
Miller did not get any of the Hobart industrial equipment.
Rocky D
12-13-2007, 07:56 PM
Then the battery chargers stayed with Arcsys? Are they still around? Did Thermadyne have welders before this took place?
Say, Doc, are you gonna be coming out here again?
Zrexxer
12-13-2007, 09:27 PM
Miller did not get any of the Hobart industrial equipment.The reason being of course, is that Hobart was required to divest itself of its industrial welding supplies in order for the Federal Trade Commission to approve the merger, since ITW already had Miller. Since FTC required it to prevent violation of the anti-trust laws, none of the line could go to another ITW company; it had to go outside the company.
The interesting thing is that Hobart was only prohibited from making industrial welding supplies for 7 years (I think that number's right...) and that time has expired, but in the meantime Hobart kind of re-invented itself as more of a consumer products company, so I guess they're going to stay with that.
Arcsys was owned by Prestolite and I belive they became part of Amatec (sp).
Since the last time I was out and seen you I had traveled almost non stop including a trip to Germany on pulsed mig. I do not think I will be back to NASSCO since earlier this year I decided after 39 1/2 years to retire from the industrial weld applications career, 80% travel was making an old man out of me.
Rocky D
12-15-2007, 12:38 AM
Arcsys was owned by Prestolite and I belive they became part of Amatec (sp).
Since the last time I was out and seen you I had traveled almost non stop including a trip to Germany on pulsed mig. I do not think I will be back to NASSCO since earlier this year I decided after 39 1/2 years to retire from the industrial weld applications career, 80% travel was making an old man out of me.
Congrats on the retirement...enjoy!
Some Creep
12-15-2007, 02:07 AM
..... I decided after 39 1/2 years to retire from the industrial weld applications career, 80% travel was making an old man out of me.
39 1/2 years of anything with make an old man out of anyone. Enjoy retirement, you have earned it. Life on the road I don't wish on anyone. I hate it myself, I imagine it has its bad days for you as well.
I envy you and hope to be able to leave the road behind me some day as well........
Cheers!