Weldstar has been serving the gas and welding markets in Northern Illinois, Northern Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin 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.

Products

Weldstar provides a broad range of products and services that works with our customers to create a system that best benefits their needs. Serving Northern Illinois, Northern Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin, our Technical Representatives receive continuous training on everything from new power sources to gas delivery systems to the latest in welding automation trends. Internationally, we also serve the Nuclear Power Industry providing pre-tested certified welding materials. By working together, we can reduce costs on both sides of the supply chain and develop a proactive versus a reactive supply management process.

As a member of the Independent Welding Distributors Co-operative (IWDC), Weldstar brings to your company major gas manufacturers and welding brand name products, along with Weldmark® private label items made by leading manufacturers. Our association with them provides us with the purchasing power and marketing abilities of a major corporation.

Weldstar offers a full line of Gas, Welding Equipment, and Industrial and Safety Products including:

Automated Welding

Robots, hard automation, fume exhaust systems and high production solutions

Bulk & Microbulk Gases

Argon, CO2, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Propylene, Metal fabrication/cutting, laser gases, cryogenics, heat treating, inert blanketing, and forensics

Hand Held and Stationary Tools

Hand held tools, power tools, stationary tools, drill systems, plate processing, storage units

Nuclear Filler Material

Certified welding material, Magnaflux dye penetrant, developer and cleaner, temperature indicating crayons, welder certification coupons, water soluble tape and paper with material test reports

Safety Supplies

Personal protection equipment, environmental systems, area protection, material handling and fall protection, first aid kits, and janitorial equipment

Industrial Cylinder Gases

Acetylene, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Propane, Propylene

Services

Weekly contact calls, on-time deliveries, customized training and product demonstrations, vendor managed inventory programs, rental equipment, repair services, cylinder delivery

Specialty Gases

Acetylene, Air, Ammonia, Argon, Boron Trichloride, n-Butane, 1-Butene, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Propylene and more

Welding Equipment & Supplies

AC/DC output machines available with variable welding current and prepost flow functions. A range of power sources to suit resistance spot welding. Single or three phase, light weight and portable machines suitable for different thickness of material