Bernard general manager John Winek (left) joins Miller Electric president Mike Weller (right) in announcing integration of Bernard Q-Guns with Centerfire welding consumables.

Praxair, Inc. (www.praxair.com) has opened of a new packaged gases production facility in Tacoma, Washington. The new 44,000-sq.-ft. facility is the largest cylinder fill plant in the state of Washington.

Wayne Yakich, president of Praxair, said in a news release that the plant will position his compnay for growth in the region in industrial, medical and specialty gases. The new facility includes a gas analysis laboratory, a customer training center and a fully automated dry ice cutting operation. The Tacoma facility also houses a Praxair retail store for the company's line of ProStar welding equipment and supplies, and related products.

Praxair Distribution, Inc. and its subsidiaries and distributors provide a variety of industrial and specialty gases, equipment and supplies, technical expertise and services to industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others.