Name:  John M. Stropki

        Address: 22801 St. Clair Ave.       

City: Cleveland, OH 44117  

CEO:  John M. Stropki

Product: Heating and Cooling

Phone: 216-481-8100   Year Founded: 1895

      For fabrication shops looking to dramatically enhance welding productivity on small- to medium-sized parts, The Lincoln Electric Company offers its eCell dual fixed table robotic cell. The eCell pre-engineered system is designed to provide a flexible automation layout that delivers consistent and predictable production for small parts lots or exceptionally high part production volumes. Shipped completely assembled and ready for immediate installation and production, the eCell is particularly suited for smaller shops seeking a low cost automation alternative to labor intensive arc welding.

      The eCell is capable of MIG (short arc and spray), synergic MIG and MIG pulse welding or flux-cored arc welding procedures on parts which can be welded without re-orientation. It can be used to weld a variety of materials, including steel, stainless steel and aluminum.

      An exceptional reach/stroke ratio and high-axis speeds are at the core of eCell’s Fanuc ArcMate 100iBe robot designed to deliver peak productivity for both simple and complex arc welding applications of all sizes and configurations. The R-J3iB controller and easy-to-use ArcTool software provides reliable performance with affordability. The eCell includes collision guard torch protection software with password protection. The eCell is also offered with Torch Mate (automatic tool centerpoint software) and Touch Sensing (automatic part location software) as options.

      Optional system packages are available to enhance the eCell’s capabilities.  The arc welding solution package is designed for those welding in hard to reach areas and circular welding.  A welding fume removal hood is available for those looking to improve the work environment and reduce energy costs.

      The heart of the system is Lincoln’s Power Wave 355 M, a digitally-controlled, 350-amp inverter welding power source capable of complex, high-speed communication. This welding power source features Lincoln’s ArcLink communication software, a Lincoln Nextweld innovation, allowing the system components to digitally communicate faster and more reliably than comparable analog-based systems. The unit features the industry’s fastest response time for enhanced arc starting and superior arc control, which results in reduced arc spatter, reduced fumes, and exceptionally smooth arc welding performance.

      The Power Wave 355M is delivered with more than 60 factory-programmed standard waveforms optimized for a variety of materials or applications, including RapidArc, a pulsed GMAW process solution designed to increase productivity by reducing cycle time. Enabled through Waveform Control Technology, another Lincoln Nextweld innovation, customers can choose a pre-programmed waveform or customize that program to best fit their application. 

      Manufactured to ISO 9001 standards, the eCell is compliant to ANSI/RIA 15.06-99, and includes ergonomic placement of operator panels, and controls. The eCell’s 90-inch x 52-inch footprint minimizes floor space, and its forklift compatible base allows for portability for flexible manufacturing layouts.  The cell arrives with a complete metal surround flash and safety barrier and only requires power, compressed air and welding wire to be production ready. 

      The Lincoln Electric Company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.

      Lincoln was founded in 1895 and today is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment. Headquartered in Cleveland, the company has manufacturing operations, joint ventures and alliances in 19 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. Lincoln has a global work force of more than 7,000.

      Recognized as the welding experts, the company provides leading technology products and solutions. From its early beginnings, Lincoln pioneered technological advancements and improvements in arc welding consumables and equipment. Lincoln sustains the industry’s most aggressive and comprehensive research and product development program. This effort is supported by the David C. Lincoln Technology Center, the most advanced facility of its kind.

      Arc welding is indispensable to many industries. For example, the metal working field involves production arc welding in transportation, construction, fabrication, petrochemical and other industries. In the manufacture of metal products, arc welding applications range from producing consumer appliances to fabricating heavy machinery and structural steel. Arc welding is the dominant joining method for building and other industrial construction, including oil and gas pipeline fabrication, and oil refinery construction.

      The company is known for its productive and highly-skilled work force, as well as its unique compensation system, Incentive Management.

      Incentive Management is widely studied in business schools and industrial management circles. The system compensates and encourages individual and team initiative and responsibility at all levels of employment within the U.S. subsidiary. Lincoln’s other global operations have their own systems, where appropriate and practical. Lincoln has never experienced a work stoppage in its 100-plus year history.

      Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. recently reported that 2007 second quarter net income increased 29.6 percent to $55.2 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, on sales of $586.6 million, an increase of 16.7 percent. Net income in the comparable period of 2006 was $42.6 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, on net sales of $502.5 million. Operating income for the 2007 second quarter increased 22.0 percent to $75.4 million from $61.7 million in the comparable 2006 period. Net income for the 2006 second quarter includes charges of $1.3 million ($1.3 million after-tax, or $0.03 per diluted share) related to European rationalization actions. Excluding non-recurring items, adjusted net income increased 25.8 percent to $55.2 million, or $1.27 per diluted share in 2007 compared to $43.9 million or $1.02 per diluted share in 2006. The 2007 second quarter effective tax rate was 29.6 percent compared with 32.4 percent in 2006.

      “Our results highlight another quarter of strong sales, profits and cash flow. We are encouraged by these results despite ongoing slowing in several key market segments,” said John M. Stropki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to benefit from our strategic investments in building a broad global manufacturing platform. I am also pleased with the initial impact of supply chain improvements recently enacted.”

      Sales for the company’s North American operations were $363.8 million in the quarter versus $335.7 million in the comparable quarter last year, an increase of 8.4 percent. Export sales in the quarter increased 26.7 percent to $50.1 million from $39.6 million in 2006.

      Sales at Lincoln subsidiaries outside North America increased to $222.8 million in the second quarter, compared with $166.8 million in the year ago quarter. In local currencies, international subsidiaries’ sales increased 20.4 percent.