So long Victor...

Arc weld · Feb 13, 2014

Victor Technologies has been sold to Colfax which is the parent company of Esab. Have to wait and see how much will change. Esab isn't the best when you need parts in a hurry.

Shield Arc · Feb 13, 2014

13 or 14-years ago when I bought that Linde VI-206 with the Mig 31 wire feeder at an auction. It was a sheet metal shop going out of business, only drive rolls were .023. The local mom & pop now AirGas welding supply got me .030, .035, and .045 drive rolls the next day, I was shocked.:shocked: I figured when ESAB took over Linde I would never get replacement parts.

Mark @ Everlast · Feb 13, 2014

That could dissolve the TWECO rebranding of the old Thermal ARC and some of the product will be rolled over into the ESAB line...or ESAB will dump some of it's product line into the TWECO name. (Could go either way). Or I guess the TWECO line and the ESAB foreign line could be merged and presented as an entry level product. Really at this point who knows except the guys in those locked corporate offices. Won't happen right away mind you...and their will be lots of denying and confusion going on in the next few months for sure. ESAB already uses/used the same Chinese factory as Thermal ARC and Longevity in some of their foreign markets and markets basically the same equipment, so...

A few days ago, I visited this site and saw this front page slider. I thought there was weird veiled reference aimed at Victor....but didn't know why...now I know. It just occurred to me and I went to the ESAB page and it's still there:

muddstopper · Feb 17, 2014

I Esab making anything In South Carolina anymore?

Reverser · Feb 17, 2014

Mark @ Everlast said:
ESAB already uses/used the same Chinese factory as Thermal ARC and Longevity in some of their foreign markets and markets basically the same equipment, so...

Interesting!! This being known would no doubt help Longevity's PR.
AFAIK, Thermal Arc and ESAB have always been quality machines.

LONGEVITYsimon · Feb 17, 2014

Reverser said:
Interesting!! This being known would no doubt help Longevity's PR.
AFAIK, Thermal Arc and ESAB have always been quality machines.

Yep, I can honestly say Longevity machines are simply made in the best factory in China. Ever since our partnership two years ago, our products have achieved a parallel success shared by the bigger brands - we are just more affordable because of lower overhead costs.