Thermal Industries history

By 1960, sales of plasma cutting equipment had reached $1 million, and Browning and Thorpe moved the company to a plant in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Browning was founder and chairman of the company through 1968, when he sold his interest.

Tweco showed off its new MIG gun, a process using metal inert gas and electrodes for a faster weld, at the 1969 American Welding Society show.

The move paid off, as in 1970, the company introduced the PAK 40, a 400-amp cutting system.

Industrial Heat Enterprises International (IHEI) was established in 1974 and grew to be recognized as a national leader in providing thermal and cleaning solutions in the Industrial Product sector that focused in the heat transfer, converting, aerospace, small engine, and automotive industries.

These innovations made the company a popular purchasing target, and in 1977, it was acquired by Palco Industries.

In 1979, Stoody was acquired by Palco Industries, and six years later, Palco sold it to Polaris, a large metallurgical company.

The floorcare products unit came about through the acquisition of Clarke Industries in 1986, one of James Mills' first acquisitions.

After Thermadyne acquired Palco in 1987, the company continued its trend toward smaller, more affordable plasma cutting units.

So the company that had three distinct operating units in 1989 trimmed itself down to just one--that being welding and cutting equipment.