Air Products South Africa, and its subsidiary Weldamax, have strengthened their gas and welding portfolio by the acquisition of a controlling interest  in EWN&S. EWN&S and Weldamax were formerly independent distributors of Air Products’ industrial gases as well as supplying a comprehensive range  of welding equipment and consumables.

Weldamax was acquired by Air Products in 2022 and this latest acquisition of EWN&S will significantly expand Air Products’ position in the synergistic gas and welding market. Weldamax currently trades as Unique Welding through its Boksburg Head Office and has a countrywide network of thirteen sales outlets. EWN&S brings an additional four sales outlets to the group as well considerable market and product knowledge.  

Air Products Managing Director Rob Richardson comments on the acquisition: “We are extremely pleased to have concluded this acquisition as it strengthens our capabilities in several strategic and complementary locations. It will also provide the opportunity for supply chain synergies and further the growth of Weldamax’s extremely successful Thermamax range of equipment. EWN&S will have access to new products through Weldamax as well as its extensive equipment after sales service and support capabilities”.

EWN&S CEO Alan Glutz explains that EWN&S has a proud history, having been founded as a family business 47 years ago. Over the years EWN&S has built a strong reputation for its products and service excellence. The company has grown from strength to strength but now enters a new phase in its growth trajectory. He further states: “I am looking forward to the collaborative strength that this merger brings and EWN&S will certainly benefit from the technical and financial strength of the Air Products Group”. 

Unique Welding CEO Gaetano Perillo concluded by saying that Unique Welding looks forward to the opportunities that will arise from being part of a larger group and is confident that these benefits will be seen across the value chain.