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Follow on Google News | Welding & Gases Today Profiles Internet PioneerGases and welding distributor Cyberweld achieves growth through the Internet and Social Media.
By: Devin O'Toole Cyberweld’s roots trace back to 1938, when a father-and-son trucking duo Joseph White Goodliffe and Joseph Jr. stopped hauling gas cylinders and opened up their own distributorship. The business model remained largely unchanged until 2000, when fourth-generation president Bob Goodliffe launched Cyberweld.com, the company’s online retail website. In its first seven months, from June to December, the site grossed $40,000 in sales. By its third year in operation, Cyberweld had reached more than $1 million in sales. Today, online business accounts for 80 percent of the company’s sales. Goodliffe has continued to take advantage of emerging technology by forging a presence on Social Media in recent years. Says President Bob Goodliffe, “I got involved with Facebook as a better way to engage the customers we were reaching through email campaigns.” In a recent Facebook promotion, Goodliffe asked the company’s fans—currently more than 3,700—to make product recommendations. “I asked our fans, ‘What don’t you see on our site that you think we should carry?’ There was going to be a single winner, but we had so many good ideas that I picked six winners,” says Goodliffe. “We are still reaping the profits of the promotion.” To learn more about how Cyberweld is changing the business of selling gases and welding equipment with the Internet and Social Media, read the GAWDA member profile, “Cyberweld” About GAWDA Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (http://www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (http://www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry’s voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America. End
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