Weldstar has been serving the gas and welding markets in Northern Illinois and Indiana since 1936. Once known as the James F. Patterson Company, Weldstar has become one of the most trusted names in the gas, welding, and industrial supply market.

In 1969 a young entrepreneur named John Winkle joined new owner James Shennan to help re-brand Weldstar as a customer centric distributor that valued traditional business principles. By placing an emphasis on technical training and uncompromising service, Weldstar forged a reputation as the place to turn for practical solutions that improve the bottom line.

John Winkle would later purchase the company and Weldstar remains in the Winkle family today.

Real Value

Weldstar is committed to creating value for our customers. It is through relationships with our customers that we come to understand their specific needs. Our focus on bringing value starts with training our employees to better serve our markets. At Weldstar all sales and customer service related personnel receive extensive on-going technical and new product training. Our technical representatives and customer service team come with a pedigree that includes dozens of training schools and programs.

Our customers have come to recognize Weldstar for our superior customer focus and experienced industry professionals. Weldstar is relentless in its pursuit of continuous improvement, so that we may bring value to those who drive our business- our customers.

Weldstar Today

Weldstar remains committed to the values that have fostered the growth of our company. We are focused on doing the right things, for the right reasons.

Weldstar technical experts include, welding engineers, certified weld inspectors, gas delivery system specialists, filler metal consultants, abrasive selection experts as well as a variety of industry partners designed to bring value to our customers.

Weldstar is a member of ASME- the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, AWS – American Welding Society, GAWDA-Gases and Welding Distributor Association and the IWDC-Independent Welding Distributors Cooperative. In addition Weldstar employees serve on organizations responsible for setting future direction of our industry including ASME and AWS committees and sub-committees.

Weldstar employees continue to be the force behind the success of our company. We promise to remain focused on the principle that our success is directly tied to the success of our customers.

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