Ty-Canol Restorations are an original distributor. Walter began the restoration business and was initially supplied by another gas supplier but didn’t like the rental system and was looking to source an alternative.
From the start of our relationship with Ty-Canol, Walter negotiated a distributorship for the whole of Wales, providing a dedicated range of quality industrial, welding, cellar and helium balloon bottled gas supplies.
At Adams Gas, we’re a leading gas supplier in the South East, and we distribute our gas products to our reliable stockist network up and down the country.
In this case study, we’ll focus on the work of Ty-Canol and discuss our relationship with the stockist, highlighting their business model and key distribution successes.
Ty-Canol Business Model and Sales Strategy
Ty-Canol is a gas-only distributor, though they sometimes consult on restoration projects. In the past, the business has run major UK distribution networks (and one African network), consulting on various interesting distribution projects.
Currently, Walter has a distributor network of 26 clients, including GMF (Glamorgan Motor Factors), across Wales — he is also a listed supplier to Parts Alliance UK wide. Walter works hard to recruit, train and manage his network and often fulfils orders via Parts Alliance (Cheltenham and Gloucester) outside of his area, which isn’t always convenient.
While Ty-Canol mainly distributes welding gases, they also stock beer and cellar gas and helium (as one-offs when other suppliers have let someone down). The majority of customers are Motor Factors, and because GMF is growing, his network is also growing. Because Walter handles technical support, he turns many end-user enquiries into orders for GMF branches that the business would otherwise not have won — he does this by asking for PO’s, then shipping the products with the central order, usually weekly (on Mondays).
Distribution and Logistics
Walter runs a highly efficient business with the help of two 4×4 vehicles and custom-built trailers. Because of this, he can bulk-buy from Adams Gas and times his returns effectively to make them free of charge. Walter’s sub-distributors need to be capable of handling ten bottle orders to qualify for his free distribution and returns policy.
Adams Gas Continue to Build Relationships with our Stockist Network
We’re proud to have ongoing relationships with a whole host of leading stockists and gas suppliers. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business by becoming a stockist for Adams Gas, please get in touch or visit our business opportunities page.
Stockist Case Study: Ty-Canol Restorations
Ty-Canol Restorations are an original distributor. Walter began the restoration business and was initially supplied by another gas supplier but didn’t like the rental system and was looking to source an alternative.
From the start of our relationship with Ty-Canol, Walter negotiated a distributorship for the whole of Wales, providing a dedicated range of quality industrial, welding, cellar and helium balloon bottled gas supplies.
At Adams Gas, we’re a leading gas supplier in the South East, and we distribute our gas products to our reliable stockist network up and down the country.
In this case study, we’ll focus on the work of Ty-Canol and discuss our relationship with the stockist, highlighting their business model and key distribution successes.
Ty-Canol Business Model and Sales Strategy
Ty-Canol is a gas-only distributor, though they sometimes consult on restoration projects. In the past, the business has run major UK distribution networks (and one African network), consulting on various interesting distribution projects.
Currently, Walter has a distributor network of 26 clients, including GMF (Glamorgan Motor Factors), across Wales — he is also a listed supplier to Parts Alliance UK wide. Walter works hard to recruit, train and manage his network and often fulfils orders via Parts Alliance (Cheltenham and Gloucester) outside of his area, which isn’t always convenient.
While Ty-Canol mainly distributes welding gases, they also stock beer and cellar gas and helium (as one-offs when other suppliers have let someone down). The majority of customers are Motor Factors, and because GMF is growing, his network is also growing. Because Walter handles technical support, he turns many end-user enquiries into orders for GMF branches that the business would otherwise not have won — he does this by asking for PO’s, then shipping the products with the central order, usually weekly (on Mondays).
Distribution and Logistics
Walter runs a highly efficient business with the help of two 4×4 vehicles and custom-built trailers. Because of this, he can bulk-buy from Adams Gas and times his returns effectively to make them free of charge. Walter’s sub-distributors need to be capable of handling ten bottle orders to qualify for his free distribution and returns policy.
Adams Gas Continue to Build Relationships with our Stockist Network
We’re proud to have ongoing relationships with a whole host of leading stockists and gas suppliers. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business by becoming a stockist for Adams Gas, please get in touch or visit our business opportunities page.
Stockist Case Study: Consumable Solutions
Our relationship with Consumable Solutions began in 2010 when Sam developed his workshop consumables business. Sam approached Adams Gas, realising there was a simple additional profit opportunity he could capture.
Adams Gas is one of the biggest distributors in the South East, supplying gas products to our reliable stockist network up and down the country.
In this case study, we’ll focus on the work of Consumable Solutions and discuss our relationship with the stockist, highlighting key success areas, business development, distribution and logistics.
Our Relationship with Consumable Solutions
Consumable Solutions is essentially an on-vehicle shop for workshop consumables, equipment, and, importantly, gas. Sam sees this relationship as key to his business, and at one point, he commented that he has been tempted to concentrate solely on the gas business.
The strengths of our relationship with Consumable Solutions include:
- An easy sell
- No real price objection
- No major price competition
- The rent-free proposition is much more palatable than a BOC approach
Additional benefits for Sam include the attractive ‘mark-up’ and that Adams Gas have good experience in technical, sales and support areas.
Consumable Solutions Business Model
Sam has a unique on-vehicle business model. The proposition is that his customers deal with him and can purchase from van stock or place orders during the sales call. As the sole employee, with the exception of hiring a driver to handle higher volume gas deliveries, Sam is often praised for his consistently high level of customer service.
Compared with other consumable products, the margin is favourable, and he averages around £4,000 in sales revenues every month.
Consumable Solutions Marketing and Sales Strategy
Sam’s marketing efforts are entirely focused on personal selling. He spends time targeting areas he wants to address, then visits sites to introduce himself and his on-vehicle range (his mobile retail shop). At the moment, he has no website and doesn’t use direct marketing or telesales.
The primary customer sector for Consumable Solutions is welding, but Sam also markets the full range of Adams Gas products to his customers and has ventured into supplying events, cellar gas and licensed trade, aquatics, agriculture and touring cars.
Distribution and Logistics
Sam usually collects stock twice weekly from the Adams Gas base in Margate, keeping his on-vehicle stock as low as possible. He keeps two vehicles on the road, for times when the numbers of gas orders would overload his main transportation van.
He has recently bought a secure container and is renting space from one of his customers (a farmer), which will enable him to consider deliveries from Adams to his new storage site. Sam is also actively looking to improve his terms in return and thinking about volume discounts — as he prefers to operate with little or no debt.
Business Development
At present, Sam is almost at full capacity. A key part of Sam’s proposition is himself and his informal account management approach, including regular physical calling — the mobile shop stimulates impulse purchases and ensures he has repeat business and excellent customer retention.
Consumable Solutions is mainly a cash business for both gas and workshop consumables. Some of his larger customers pay on invoices and have a credit account with him to manage cash flow effectively.
Adams Gas Continues to Build Relationships With a Wide Range of Industries
As a reputable gas supplier, we’re proud to have ongoing relationships with various businesses across the UK. We look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of our business opportunities and services for our stockists.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business by becoming a stockist for Adams Gas, please get in touch.
Stockist Case Study: Pyramid Steel
Our relationship with Pyramid Steel began with a phone call where we were able to offer the company exclusivity and a much better margin than they already had in place. The current arrangement allows the Aldershot-based firm flexibility in negotiating locally and providing a better offering to their bigger customers.
Adams Gas is one of the biggest distributors in the South East, and we supply our gas products to our reliable stockist network up and down the country.
In this case study, we’ll focus on the work of Pyramid Steel and discuss our relationship with the stockist, highlighting key success areas and marketing techniques.
Our Relationship with Pyramid Steel
Luke at Pyramid Steel appreciates the relationship with Adams Gas, saying that “the response times are good and the offer fits well with the existing steel and welding business”. He also mentions that he has added customers from other sectors like aquatics, home brewing etc. The helium business is really important for him, and he has built some genuine B2B relationships in that area. In summary, Luke mentioned that Pyramid feels valued by Adams Gas.
Pyramid Steel Business Model
The core business is steel, welding equipment and fabrication — supplying mainly into the building sector. Our gasses are a natural fit with Pyramid’s core customers, supplying mostly Argon/CO2 mix. However, as mentioned above, the diverse range of gases available enables Luke to reach many other sectors.
At present, Pyramid primarily communicates with its customers online, and orders are placed through telephone sales. They have a solid and well-positioned retail outlet selling steel, welding equipment and tools, which can be delivered with a nominal £6 delivery charge or collected for free.
Pyramid Steel Marketing and Sales Strategy
Pyramid’s main marketing communications vehicle is its website, which has a dedicated section for gases, including a segment on Adams Gas. Orders are placed over the phone, and Luke has built up excellent customer retention based on his customer service, which we support. The company wins new customers either through referrals or via the Adams Gas leads.
At the beginning of our relationship, Luke mentioned that he was initially sceptical about Steve’s offer to drive marketing by finding customers and referring leads, but this works really well and has been one of the highlights of the relationship with Adams Gas and is distinctive from other suppliers.
Luke is delighted to have extended his territory and aims to serve an area soon that encompasses Hertfordshire in the north, right down to Portsmouth and over to at least Basingstoke in the west.
Distribution, Logistics and Business Development
Overall, the logistics are very effective with reasonable lead times, and this works well for Pyramid. His location is excellent from a transport and communications perspective, and Luke is taking on a pallet per week, which includes free collection, which suits Pyramid very well.
Luke is pleased with the growth to date from his gas business, but he believes he could do better and is ambitious to grow significantly in the future — taking further advantage of his territory’s exclusivity.
Luke’s overall feeling is that this is a very positive business relationship, enabling him to grow year on year. It fits very well with his core business and has helped him to market to other customers whom he would not have expected to reach.
Adams Gas Continues to Build Relationships With a Wide Range of Industries
We’re proud to have ongoing relationships with a whole host of leading suppliers. We look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of our business opportunities and services for our stockists.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business by becoming a stockist for Adams Gas, please get in touch.
Stockist Case Study: Peter Gibbs
As one of Adams Gas’s earliest distributors for industrial gases, Peter has been a customer of ours for many years.
Following a considerable period of growth, Peter gave up haulage and has ‘created a monster he can’t escape’, now supplying rectory gas propane and butane to British oxygen customers and more.
This case study will focus on Peter’s business model and marketing successes. We will also discuss his relationship with us as a stockist.
Our Relationship with Peter Gibbs
Our relationship with Peter is honest and open, built on years of trust and reliable supply. Currently, Peter trades rent-free gas as his sole business, selling both direct and via stocking points, including a garden centre and stockist in Halifax.
While Peter admits the business is currently too small to employ a permanent partner profitably, he makes around 30% net on the gas business.
The sales potential for our stockists really is limitless. If you have a well-established set of customers who would be interested in purchasing gas for trade or domestic purposes, you can expect to reap financial rewards extremely quickly.
Peter Gibbs Marketing and Sales Strategy
Peter’s marketing efforts include his website and attending an Auto Jumble once a month, attracting car restorers from Yorkshire and the North East. He is able to supply many of our gas products throughout a variety of industries by attending these events.
More recently, Peter has made progress in aquatics via connections through the garden centre. Peter’s feedback tells us that he has had no issues with other Adams distributors in the area.
We often supply Peter with leads and orders, and his full delivery service meets his customer expectations from the Adams website link. Our highly visited national website had over 183,000 unique visitors last year!
Distribution and Logistics
Peter holds his stock in a secure and safe compound where goods are delivered and moved with a fork truck. Due to his established connections with the haulier, he is alerted when he needs to be present.
Delivery and distribution are made easier with the use of Peter’s 3.5-tonne truck and 4×4 trailer. We not only supply our stockist with high-quality products, but we can also offer advice on training and technical support for selling and distributing our gas.
Business Development
Peter has experienced continued business growth against increasingly fierce competition and will potentially seek new opportunities with an adjacent distributor in the future.
Adams Gas Continue to Build Relationships with our Stockist Network
We’re one of the biggest distributors in the South East, and we supply our gas products to our loyal stockist network up and down the country.
We’re proud to have ongoing relationships with a whole host of leading stockists and gas suppliers. We look forward to continuing to provide gas products for our stockists and their customers.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business by becoming a stockist for Adams Gas, please get in touch or visit our business opportunities page.
What is the Process of MIG Welding?
MIG welding is a popular arc welding technique that uses a constant solid wire electrode heated and fed from a welding gun into the weld pool. Although MIG welding requires quality gas, equipment and lots of practice, the ease and speed of this welding method means that it is easy to learn for hobby-welders working on DIY home projects and those who need to use it across various professional industries.
In this blog, we take a look at the process of MIG welding, including the safety precautions you should take and how to prepare your equipment. We’ll also explore the range of MIG welding gas we offer at Adams Gas, highlighting which is best for different applications.
MIG Welding Safety
Welding safety should be taken seriously, and you should always make sure that the correct measures and equipment are in place to protect yourself and/or employees from welding hazards.
Before beginning any welding project, you need to make sure you have the correct MIG welding supplies and safety equipment. The area you are working in should be free from any potential fire hazards, such as sparks, heat and combustible materials.
You must wear the appropriate safety gear, including cuff-less full-length pants, a flame-resistant long-sleeve jacket, welding helmet, leather gloves and shoes (or boots) and industry-standard safety glasses or goggles. This equipment will protect you and others from sparks and spatter while welding.
We have a complete collection of welding safety equipment in our shop, including clothing, helmets and gloves. By investing in high-quality safety gear, proper training and certified equipment, you can help minimise the risks of welding injuries.
For more information on welding safety and equipment, take a look at our blog, How to Choose your Welding Accessories.
Metal Preparation
Solid MIG wire does not combat rust, dirt, oil or other contaminants very well. You should use a grinder or metal brush to clean down to bare metal before striking the arc. It’s essential that your clamp connects to clean metal as electrical impedance affects the wire feeding performance. Beveling the joint will give you a stronger weld, allowing it to fully penetrate the base metal (especially for butt joints).
Equipment Preparation
When preparing welding equipment for MIG, you should always check cable connections are fray-free and tight-fitting. MIG requires DC electrode positive or reverse polarity, so you must select electrode polarity — you can find connections on the inside of the machine.
Next, you will set the gas flow by turning on your shielding gas at a flow rate of 20 to 25 cubic feet per hour. Your gas hose should be tight-fitting with no leaks, so if you suspect a leak, you should dispose of the old hose immediately and install a new one for safety and performance reasons.
Tension is also an important factor in MIG welding. Applying too much or little can affect the wire spool hub and drive rolls, resulting in a poor quality weld. Refer to manufacturers instructions on the equipment you are using to ensure you have adjusted the tension correctly.
Wire Selection
There are two main wire types for welding steel, AWS classification ER70S-3 for all-purpose and ER70S-6 wire for when deoxidisers are required for rusty steel. As leading welding gas suppliers, we recommend a .030 inch wire diameter for general applications in both DIY and trade.
Thinner materials will require a reduced heat output, so .023-inch would be suitable, or for thicker materials, .035 to 0.045 inches will be within the output range.
MIG Welding Gas Selection
Here at Adams Gas, we stock a range of MIG welding gas, including argon, helium, CO2 and oxygen mixes. You must choose the correct gas for the desired application since each has specific benefits, such as better arc stability or a reduction in spatter.
Shielding gases have a distinct purpose in MIG welding to protect the weld area from oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and water vapour. The weld area needs this protection to prevent holes in the weld.
If you’re looking for an all-purpose shielding gas for carbon steel, we would recommend an argon / CO2 mix — it will help reduce the amount of spatter and give you the best bead appearance with less burn-through on thin metals. Our CO2 welding gas will increase the amount of spatter but is beneficial for deeper penetration.
If you have any questions about the products we stock, including MIG gas, TIG welding gas or beer gas, please reach out to our friendly team, who will be more than happy to advise you further.
How to Supply your Customers with Bottled Nitrogen
Adams Gas is a trusted bottled gas supplier of nitrogen bottles. We’re proud to offer a range of rent-free cylinders from 2L-50L for many uses across a variety of industries.
Nitrogen is a non-toxic, odourless, and colourless gas. It’s relatively inert and is not flammable. This blog will explore the various uses for our nitrogen cylinders and discuss how you can provide this gas to customers as an Adams Gas stockist.
If you’re seeking a new business opportunity to sell gas as one of our stockists, or perhaps you want to expand your range further, let us help boost your revenue stream with up to 50% profit on each sale.
Nitrogen for Air Conditioning
Nitrogen helps to absorb moisture that builds up inside air conditioning units. The gas regulator is connected to one of the lines and flushes out the system. The gas is highly effective at removing contaminants allowing the system to operate safely and efficiently.
Due to nitrogen gas being easy to store, cylinders can be used for several jobs, making it a cost-effective solution for many businesses.
It’s essential to flush AC units regularly as they become contaminated due to oxidisation, and so there is a vast market for stockists to supply businesses with nitrogen.
Nitrogen for Food and Drink Preservation
The versatility of nitrogen gas means it can be used for freezing, packaging and bottling various food and drink items. For many, this gas is a cost-effective solution that is widely available, making it a popular choice within the industry.
When used in liquid form, nitrogen can be applied to food to freeze it in a matter of seconds. The extremely cold temperature of the liquid allows tiny ice crystals to form and lengthens the product’s life and quality. An example of liquid nitrogen being used is to make ice cream or premium cocktails.
Nitrogen gas is used by factories up and down the country for food packaging. Using the purging method where oxygen is removed from the product container, the food items are preserved for improved quality and a longer shelf-life. Crisp manufacturers use nitrogen gas to sustain the pressure levels required to prevent the crisps from crushing during transportation.
Throughout the drinks industry, nitrogen is widely used to introduce fine gas bubbles into beverages to draw out dissolved oxygen, which affects the product’s taste. This method is standard in wine production to ensure that the oxygen levels fall below 0.5%.
Find out more about how nitrogen is used in the food and beverage industry in our blog.
Nitrogen in the Medical Industry
With a boiling point of approximately −195.8 °C, liquid nitrogen is used widely across the medical industry to remove unwanted skin, warts and pre-cancerous cells. It’s also used to purge oxygen during the packaging of medical supplies, ensuring sterility and cleanliness.
Liquid nitrogen can also be used as a cryogen to preserve biological samples, such as sperm, eggs, and animal genetic samples. For medical use, laboratory personnel must be fully qualified and use with extreme caution when preserving samples.
Nitrogen for Motorsports
Nitrogen gas can be used for tyre inflation within the motorsport industry. The gas is perfect for this application due to its consistent rate of expansion. Most race cars will use nitrogen to accurately predict tire pressure fluctuation and keep tyres at the correct pressure for longer, offering an improved tyre life.
Other uses for nitrogen in similar industries are to power portable air tools and within aircraft maintenance, where the gas displaces the oxygen in the fuel tank.
We’re always on the lookout for businesses to join our growing gas stockists network and supply customers with our products. Our nitrogen bottles are available in a range of sizes to suit your client’s needs and can be refilled. If you would like to learn more, contact us today.
For over 20 years, we’ve been one of the leading suppliers of bottled gas in Kent and Southeast of England, with a well-established client base across the whole of the country.
If you’re seeking a new business opportunity, visit our blog and see 7 reasons why you should join our stockist network and how to supply gas to a variety of industries.
What Gas Bottle Do I Need for a Patio Heater?
There’s nothing better than a day spent relaxing in the sun or a meal shared outside in your garden with friends and family. As the evening draws in and the sun disappears, you might find that the air turns a little too cool for comfort. You don’t want to let your enjoyable evening get cut short just because there’s a nip in the air, so it’s time to fire up the patio heater and get everyone gathered around for a warm and cosy night. With any luck, the Great British weather will hold up, and you’ll have many evenings spent around your patio heater without the threat of rain. You’ll likely be using a lot of gas to keep you and your guests warm all night. Before you start reaching out to bottled gas suppliers to keep your patio heater burning all year round, you first need to know what to look for in patio gas bottles.
How do Patio Heaters Work?
Patio heaters may look space age and futuristic, but the actual functionality is straightforward. All patio heaters in the UK run on portable LPG cylinders of either propane or butane. Gas from a connected cylinder is pumped up through a hose that runs up the length of the heater; once it reaches the burner, it is ignited and produces a warming flame.
To help dispense the gas safely and efficiently, a gas regulator connects the hose to the cylinder. The gas regulator controls the pressure at which gas is released from the cylinder. There are many different types available, and you must pick the correct gas cylinder for your patio heater’s regulator. Propane and butane need to be released under different pressure levels, meaning their gas regulators are not interchangeable without swapping the regulator.
Propane, Butane or Patio Gas?
Propane and butane are the two most well-known fuels when it comes to domestic LPG usage. Propane typically comes in a red cylinder; whist butane comes in blue. The main difference between the two gases is their boiling points. Butane becomes a liquid when it reaches -1⁰C, whilst propane requires cooling all the way down to -42⁰c before it will liquify. As a result, propane needs to be stored at much higher pressures than butane to keep it liquefied whilst at room temperature.
There is no notable difference between propane and butane in terms of heat output efficiency when it comes to patio heater gas. However, propane is usually the preferred choice because of its lower boiling point. Propane fuelled patio heaters can function without trouble down to -42⁰c, whereas butane will begin to struggle to vaporise if the temperature drops close to 0⁰c. The higher boiling point of butane won’t be an issue during the summer months, but if you’re a fan of getting cosy next to your patio heater on a frosty winter afternoon, you might find that your butane heater isn’t too keen to get going.
You may come across a third option when shopping for gas – patio gas. This is a brand of gas rather than a type of gas. Patio gas can be propane or butane and is sold with outdoor use such as barbeques and patio heaters in mind. Keep in mind that patio gas may have a different valve and connector to a propane cylinder, so the two are not necessarily interchangeable. The best thing to do is consult your patio heater’s instruction manual to figure out whether you need a propane, butane or patio gas LPG cylinder.
Which Gas is Safer?
Whilst propane has the benefit of being suitable for outdoor use all year round, its lower boiling point means it is more volatile than butane. The ability to use propane in icy conditions may be appealing to mountaineers or experienced campers, but it’s not always a necessity for patio heaters.
Butane, by comparison, is safer for the casual user. It won’t light as quickly and has less thermal energy output, meaning it can be transported and stored easily with significantly less risk of accidental combustion. If the manufacturer’s safety advice is being followed, there is little chance of butane catching fire.
Providing the gas cylinders are stored correctly and care is taken during use, you can use both propane and butane safely with a patio heater providing your heater has the correct gas regulator.
How Can I tell When My Gas Bottle is Empty?
It can be tricky to know when your LPG bottle is empty or running out, and there’s nothing worse than trying to turn your patio heater on only to find that you’re out of gas. There is a quick and straightforward way to find out, though.
Fill a bucket with hot – but not boiling – tap water and pour it slowly down the side of your LPG bottle; the more water you use, the easier it will be to measure the amount of gas left. Wait for a few seconds before running your hands down the side of the bottle in the place you poured the water. You’re feeling for a change in temperature, the cold part of the bottle indicates how much gas is left. If you can’t feel any variance in temperature, then it is likely that your gas bottle is empty and needs replacing.
Always check the instructions on your patio heater to confirm what kind of gas you need. If you’ve not purchased your patio heater yet, you can use the information provided today to help inform your decision when deciding what kind of patio heater you should buy.
We have a huge range of bottled gases available for both industry and home use at Adams Gas, including patio gas bottles. If you would like to find out more, contact us today.
Our Guide to Helium Gas
Helium is the second most abundant element in the entire universe and has a wide range of uses. You’ll find it in medical equipment, airships and it even helps get rockets off the ground – but most of us are familiar with helium as the gas used to inflate balloons for parties and other celebrations. With helium-filled balloons, you can create show-stopping balloon displays that will wow your guests. Today we’re going to look closer look at how helium is used and how it is available for both home and trade use.
What Are Helium Balloons?
Helium is an odourless, colourless, non-flammable gas. When used to fill a balloon, the balloon will float because helium is lighter than air. It can be purchased for both at home and trade use through a trusted gas supplier and, depending on your requirements, is available in disposable and returnable gas cylinders.
There are different types of balloons suitable for inflation with helium:
Latex Balloons
These are the balloons you’ll find in every card or party shop and are readily available online. Latex balloons are elastic and designed to expand to up to 5x their original size. Regular latex balloons can tolerate helium but will deflate slowly after 8-10 hours and burst if overinflated. They’re great for small, at-home gatherings, birthday parties and one-off events where you’re likely to be blowing up your balloons on the same day that they will be used – a cheap and cheerful option.
Latex Helium Balloons
Latex helium balloons are the premium choice for balloons requiring helium inflation over using an air pump. Latex helium balloons are designed explicitly with helium inflation in mind. Latex helium balloons can stay inflated for up to four days – making them an excellent option for party planners who want to prepare their balloons ahead of an event and not worry about them deflating overnight.
Foil Balloons
Foil balloons will retain their helium longer than latex balloons and can often last for over a week before losing buoyancy. The foil is tough and less prone to popping than latex. However, they are more vulnerable to heat damage and don’t enjoy being exposed to hot temperatures.
The sturdy nature of foil balloons means they’re a great choice if you need a balloon that has been pre-formed into a specific shape, often featuring colourful designs or cartoon characters printed onto the foil. Foil balloons make great gifts for children or if you need balloons moulded into something other than the typical balloon shape – like numbers and letters.
Helium Canisters for Trade and Home Use
Once you’ve decided which kind of balloon you want to use, you’re going to need some helium to inflate them. What kind of canister you require will depend on how much and how regularly you plan on using your helium. There are options available for everyone:
Disposable Helium Canister for Home Use or Single-Use
If you only need enough helium for one party or event, then you should opt for a small, disposable canister of helium like the Fill’N’Away Disposable Helium Cylinder. The lightweight, portable canister comes with everything you need to fill enough balloons for an at-home party or one-off event. Its portability means that you can fill your balloons on location rather than having to cram them into your car.
Helium for Trade and Regular
If you’re a business that regularly uses helium – like a restaurant, party shop or a wedding planner, a small disposable canister probably won’t be able to handle the number of balloons you need to inflate. In this case, you should opt for a refillable helium cylinder. These larger cylinders come in a range of sizes and contain much more helium than their disposable counterparts. The gas supplier owns the bottle, which is swapped out for a full one when you run out of helium. Since you only pay for the helium inside the cylinder, this option is ecologically and economically beneficial for those in trade.
Helium Gas & Balloon Kits
If you’re looking for an all-in-one helium and balloon kit without the bother of having to source your balloons and gas separately, or you own a business that wants to offer helium gas and balloon kits to your customers – Adams gas has the solution for you.
We offer Helium Gas & Balloon Kits for home use so you can get inflating straight away. These kits not only come with a disposable helium canister but a variety of coloured balloons and a roll of ribbon to tie your balloons up with and stop them from floating away.
If you’re looking to sell helium balloon kits to your customers, we also offer our wholesale disposable helium gas cylinders, which can be branded with your company logo.
Can I Get Helium Balloons Delivered to the UK?
You can get helium canisters delivered to your door from Adams Gas by simply placing your order online, speaking to one of our stockists or Adams Gas directly. We deliver to Kent, East Sussex, and some selected South London postcodes. If your address falls outside our usual delivery area, we’ll pass on your contact details to your nearest stockist – they’ll then contact you to arrange delivery and payment. If you don’t have a local Adams Gas stockist, we offer a courier delivery service on all cylinder sizes – contact us today to find out more
Stockist Case Study: Basic Welding Services
At Adams Gas, we’re one of the biggest distributors in the South East, and we supply our gas products to our loyal stockist network up and down the country.
In this case study, we’ll focus on Basic Welding Services based in Newton Heath, Manchester. We’ll discuss our relationship with the stockist, as well as their business model and development.
Our Relationship with Basic Welding Services
Basic Welding Services (BWS) are primarily welding equipment and disposables suppliers. The addition of industrial and hobby gas is an obvious choice for the company, adding an additional revenue stream.
Many British oxygen customers in the Greater Manchester area were unhappy with the rental and handling charges on their accounts. So with the help of Adams Gas, BWS can now supply them on a ‘deposit only’ approach.
We believe that our trading relationship with BWS is both fair and open, being built on a reliable trade counter supply.
Basic Welding Services Business Model
BWS sell quality welding equipment worldwide, including the Middle East — a primary brand is German Fronius. They also sell riveters, body shop equipment and disposables. Due to their strong position in the welding industry, BWS can easily add on gas as a trade counter supply.
Feedback from BWS tells us that the margins are perfectly okay for an easy sell service product, and they choose to sell only to end-users.
Basic Welding Services Marketing and Sales Strategy
BWS markets gas solely via the trade counter and staff in the showroom. They offer a comprehensive range of gases, including helium which is very popular in their area for celebrations.
BWS has delivery vehicles and will transport gas to large car service centres. For smaller orders the customer will collect empty bottle returns or collect full bottles.
Many BWS customers work all over the UK. However, they see little overlap with other distributors and the price competition is not felt. The company have the benefit of a large secure yard, so it has the space to grow the gas side of the business in the future.
Business Development
Basic Welding Services expects continued growth in the gas business due to helpful British Oxygen tactics. Although they primarily sell welding equipment, the company would consider growth on the back of additional trade counter customers or call-ins from disaffected British Oxygen customers.
Adams Gas Continue to Build Relationships Within the Welding Industry
We’re proud to have ongoing relationships with a whole host of leading welding suppliers. We look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of welding gas services and solutions for our stockists.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business by becoming a stockist for Adams Gas, please get in touch or visit our business opportunities page.
Different Uses for Our Gas Bottles
Bottled gases have a wide range of applications. When most people think of gas bottles, they probably think of helium canisters to blow up balloons at birthday parties. While this is a popular use for helium gas, there are many different types of gas that can be applied to a wide range of industries.
Here’s a look at just some of the places where you can find our gas bottles in action.
BBQs
During the summer, gardens across the UK are full of smoke, and the sounds of laughter as families enjoy this favourite summer activity. Some people may opt for charcoal on an old fashioned BBQ, but many prefer the convenience and ease of use of a gas BBQ. As the name suggests, gas BBQs require gas bottles to fuel them, such as butane or propane gas. Our patio gas is propane that comes in refillable 5kg or 13kg bottles. You can prepare your BBQ meals outside in no time at all, with instant flames ready to cook. Whether you’re entertaining guests outdoors or enjoying a camping holiday, our BBQ gas can get your grill fired up.
Welding
Whether you’re an industry professional or a hobby welder, MIG and TIG welding gas are used to prevent the exposure of the molten weld to the oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen in the air, or water vapour, which can cause a number of issues like holes in the weld bead or excessive spatter. This shielding gas creates a barrier that allows you to weld safely and achieve the desired result.
There are different gases used for welding, such as argon and helium or a combination of these with other gases like CO2, oxygen and hydrogen. The gases blanket the weld, creating the protection that ensures you get a perfect weld every time.
Beer and Cellar Gas
For people who brew their own beer or own a bar or brewery, gas bottles are used to give certain beers their effervescence. Beer gases, which are made with mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, add fizz to beers and can also improve the taste and extend their shelf life. At Adams Gas, we can provide a cost-effective solution for businesses looking for beer, pub and cellar gas services, or smaller cylinders for home bars.
Food Preservation
Nitrogen gas can be used to preserve food and wine in a process known as controlled atmospheric storage. It used to store a range of food items like grains and fruit and vegetables. Nitrogen in the atmosphere reduces or prevents the growth of microorganisms, slowing down the overall oxidations process which causes foods to go off and become inedible. By altering the atmospheric conditions, you and slow down the natural decaying process.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning can be an advantage in the summer months, especially for businesses that want to keep their employees and customers comfortable during those heat waves. We offer nitrogen gas bottles rent-free for your air conditioner.
Nitrogen is relatively inert, not reacting with stored materials that carry moisture, making it the perfect solution for flushing all contaminants out of an air conditioning unit. You can keep your air conditioner clean and blockage-free, ensuring it works effectively and the cool air circulates around the entire space.
Paintball
Paintball is a popular pastime that involves shooting opponents with balls of paint in some kind of arena. Bottled CO2 or compressed air sits in a tank on the paintball gun and propels the paintballs out when the trigger is pressed, firing the paint into an opponent. We provide CO2 tanks in 1.5kg, 3.15kg, 6.35kg, 15kg and 34kg.
Motorsports
If you’ve ever watched F1, you’ll know that the tyres are filled with gas on the track, ready for the races. Nitrogen gas bottles are typically used in motorsports because the molecules remain more stable during temperature changes – which frequently occur during races – and help the tyres stay at the correct pressure for longer, helping them remain stable and reducing the likelihood of accidents.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a type of horticulture that involves growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions. Plants may grow with their roots exposed to a nutritious liquid. This process is used to ensure plants can be grown all year round in indoor environments, so they can still be produced when they would not be able to thrive outdoors. Hydroponics also requires less space than traditional plant growing. We provide bottled gases that provide food-grade CO2 required for plant growth.
So as you can see, bottled gases crop up everywhere. At Adams Gas, we have a vast range of bottled gases for both industry and home use. Whether you need helium for balloons, gas to power your BBQ or nitrogen gas to preserve your food, we can help.
Our bottles are available in a range of sizes to suit your needs and can be refilled. If you would like to learn more, contact us today.
10 Facts about Welding
The process of welding has been around for centuries, with tools dating back to 1000 B.C. In the middle ages, when blacksmithing evolved, most metal products that came into production were welded by hammering techniques.
Welding involves attaching sections of metal using extreme heat to melt materials. Once the metal cools, it solidifies and produces a solid bond. Welding is common across many industries, especially in the steel construction industry, where materials are welded together to create robust and reliable products.
Here at Adams Gas, we’re a trusted gas supplier, so whether you’re looking for MIG welding gas or TIG welding gas, we’re sure to have what you need for your next project. You can choose from portable 2L gas bottles, or for more significant projects and business use, we’d recommend our 50L canister.
Let’s look at some interesting facts about welding and the various techniques involved:
1. What is Wet and Dry Welding?
Wet welding (or hyperbaric welding) has been around since the early 1930s and involves working at elevated pressures, normally underwater. The process of underwater wet welding uses shielded metal arc welding techniques where the welder is surrounded by water, including the electrode.
On the other hand, dry welding involves working within high-pressure environments with insulation from the water around the weld site.
2. The Fastest Ship Built was Welded
The SS Robert E Peary retains the record for the fastest ship built. It was a liberty ship from WWII and was assembled within just four days, 15 hours and 27 minutes. The fleeting developments and techniques within welding meant that ships like this could be built more efficiently and within a shorter period.
3. The Highest Temperature in Welding
The welding process with the highest temperature is gas welding (also known as oxyacetylene welding). Using a mixture of fuel gases and oxygen, this method reaches extreme temperatures up to nearly 3,500 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, when thinking about heat within welding, welding produces around 3400 K of heat, and the sun produces 5800 K.
4. Welding is Used Across Many Industries
Welding can be applied to almost every industry in one form or another. The most common applications are architectural and structural metals manufacturing, motor vehicle manufacturing, mining and agricultural manufacturing. The aerospace industry and shipbuilding sector are also big welding employers.
It has been documented that over 50% of all human-made items require welding. Various transport methods, buildings and structures need welding before they can operate.
5. What is a Fume Plume?
“Fume plume” refers to the smoke that rises after you weld materials together — it comes from the area where the welded metals meet. The fumes are created from a combination of heat and sparks.
6. Cold Welding
Cold welding (or contact welding) is the process of two pieces of metal joining without the need for heat or fusion — the metals immediately become welded together. The metallic bonds that hold the atoms together bridge the gap to form one piece of metal.
7. Welding in Medicine
Welding within the medical industry is crucial to advances in medicine. Not only is welding needed to supply the various tools and equipment that doctors, nurses and surgeons require, but it offers the possibility of medical-grade materials, such as stainless steel, cobalt and titanium.
8. There is a Huge Demand for Welding
Welding products make up a considerable part of our everyday lives, from transport methods to buildings and structures — there is a huge scope for the application of welding. A career in welding offers the opportunity to work within many different industries, and the diversity of the role allows you to learn through experience.
9. Welding Made it to Space in 1969
Georgi Shonin and Valeri Kubasov crewed the Soviet Soyuz 6 mission to space in 1969. The two Russian cosmonauts were the first to experiment with welding in space — they did this by using a tool known as the Vulkan.
In space, metal automatically bonds together. This is known as cold welding and occurs due to the lack of oxidation in the metal molecules’ way.
10. The First Functional Industrial Robot was Made to Weld
In 1962 robotic welding reached a new landmark with the ‘Unimation 001’ robot developed by George Devol and Joseph Engelberger. Weighing over two tons and completing tasks with step-by-step instructions, the robot was launched onto the automotive scene as a single-armed unit designed to perform spot welds.
You should always purchase welding gas from a trusted gas supplier. Here at Adams Gas, we’re here to help answer any questions or queries you may have.
You can contact us on 01843 220 596 or 0800 195 4445. Alternatively, you can email sales@adamsgas.co.uk, or you can fill out our online form. We look forwards to hearing from you.
Read our 4 Fun Facts About Welding blog if you’d like to learn more about space welding and WWII welding.
7 Reasons Why You Should Join Our Stockists Network
Here at Adams Gas, we are actively looking for businesses up and down the UK to join our gas stockists network and supply customers with our products. For over 20 years, we’ve been the biggest supplier of bottled gas in Kent and the southeast of England, with a well-established client base across the whole of the country. We’re looking to grow our stockist network, so if you’re a business looking for an add on service to your existing offering, have a read of the 7 points below and find out how stocking Adams Gas could be a lucrative opportunity for you.
1. Additional Revenue Stream
It is typical for our stockists to see up to a 50% pure profit margin on the sale of our products; even more, if the gases you are stocking are in high demand and bottles are being regularly refilled. Patio gas stockists will likely see an increase in demand during the summer as everyone starts having barbeques.
You may already have a client base interested in purchasing gas for either trade or domestic purposes. Perhaps you sell cellar equipment for bars and restaurants – stocking CO2 and mixed gas for beer dispensing would sit nicely alongside your current offering. In instances like these, you’ll see the benefits of stocking Adam’s gas very quickly!
2. Wide Range of Gas Products Available
We offer a wide range of gases for both domestic and business use; our stock is based on the most widely used and popular gases on the market, which includes:
- Oxygen
- Argon
- CO2
- Mixed Gas
- Butane
- Propane
- Nitrogen
These gases all play essential roles across many different industries – you may not even realise that your customers are using them. At Adams Gas, we’re even happy to explore expanding our range on request if we don’t currently stock the gas that you need.
3. High Quality, Industry-Standard Gas
At Adam’s Gas, we pride ourselves on the high quality of our products, regular testing and maintenance of our cylinders. All these things combined ensure that we don’t just meet industry standards but exceed them. The quality of our gas is backed up by a high standard of customer service from our specialist team. Our website contains a wealth of information on all of the various gases we offer, including safety and storage information for every type of gas we stock.
4. Limitless Sales Potential
Gas is used across so many different industries and domestically, so the sales potential for stocking Adam’s Gas can be limitless. Here are some examples of the gases and sectors that we supply regularly:
· Welding Gas – Farmers, engineers, mechanics, wholesale, and hobbyists
· Helium – Party shops, market traders, hospitality venues and direct to public for special events
· CO2 – Paintballing, theatre special effects, SodaStream, hydroponics
· Nitrogen – Air conditioning, motorsports, food and wine preservation
· Beer & Cellar Gas – Pubs, clubs, restaurants and home bars
If you recognise your customers and their needs in the above list, maybe it’s time to speak to us about becoming a gas stockist.
5. We Provide Leads
Adam’s Gas will provide you with leads from our website, which can be supplemented with your in-store and local sales. Our national website is highly visible, with over 183 000 unique visitors per year.
You’ll be featured on our stockist map, which will include information like your company’s address, website, and contact details – giving you excellent visibility for people looking for gas in your area.
6. We Take Care of the Heavy Lifting
Gas bottles can be heavy. If you’re worried about shifting bulky canisters around when your stock is delivered to you – we’ve got you covered. Adams Gas take care of all the heavy lifting so you can focus on running a smooth and profitable gas collection and delivery service in your selected area.
7. A Reputable and Trusted Supplier
If mishandled, gas can be a dangerous substance – that’s why it’s so essential when dealing with gas products to have a knowledgeable, reputable, and trustworthy supplier.
You may be able to find cheaper suppliers elsewhere, but it’s not just the price of the gas you need to consider. If one gas supplier is significantly cheaper than the rest, you have to ask yourself – why? It is likely that the level of service, safety and knowledge has been compromised to deliver that lower price.
Adams Gas has over 20 years of experience supplying gas to Kent and the southeast of England. We take a customer-orientated approach to business and pride ourselves on our professionalism. We know how to handle, store and transport gas cylinders safely, and we’re keen to pass on what we know to our stockists.
When you join Adams Gas as a stockist, you can expect high-quality products and high-quality training and technical support from our experts as standard.
We hope that gave you some insight into the benefits of becoming a gas stockist for a gas supplier like Adams Gas. If you’re wondering what type of gas might be a suitable addition to your business offering, check out our blog on how to supply gas to a variety of industries.