Airgas is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also a leading U.S. producer of atmospheric gases, carbon dioxide, dry ice, and nitrous oxide, one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, and a leading U.S. distributor of refrigerants, ammonia products, and process chemicals. More than 15,000 employees work in approximately 1,100 locations. Chad Lamprecht works in Inside Sales at Airgas.
Tell us a little about your business. – The Lincoln branch opened in January of 2012 with a team that has over 60 years combined experience in the industry and features a showroom stocked with welding equipment, welding supplies, and safety products. The 12,000 square foot facility allows Airgas to provide a highly efficient, local platform for sales and distribution in the Lincoln area where we know that customers truly value local business relationships. Our service area covers approximately 4,000 square miles and includes Lincoln, Seward, Crete, York, Bruning, Fairbury, Beatrice, and many more in between.
How did you get started in the business? – After high school I went to welding school at NWKTS in Goodland KS. After graduation I worked in the welding field for about five years before working at a welding supply store in Kearney NE. I transferred to Lincoln a year and a half later. After eight years with my previous employer, in August 2011 an opportunity arose to work for Airgas. I have had the honor to work with many local businesses in the past nine years in the Lincoln area.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – When I started in the welding supply business I was very confident in my knowledge because of my welding background. I found out quickly that there is a lot more to our business then just welding supplies. Airgas currently has over 20,000 part numbers for mixed gases alone. Learning all the different types of gases and sizes of cylinders was a big challenge.
Tell me a little about your family. – I’m a single father of an 8th grade daughter who turns 14 this month. She enjoys volleyball, playing the flute in band, participating in several youth groups, spending time with friends, and just this last summer she went on her first mission trip with a group of middle school students from our church. She keeps me busy with something going on almost every evening!
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Husker football, camping and spending time at the lake, home improvement projects, and I am looking forward to doing more traveling and vacationing in the future.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – From a supervisor years ago about working together as a team: “Not everyone shares the same interests. What may be important to someone else may seem petty to you. For instance, needing time off for a rock concert to a single person could be just as important as needing time off for a child’s event to a parent.”
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Honest
What is your favorite movie? – Good Will Hunting
What is your favorite TV show? – Big Bang Theory
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Ming’s House or HuHot Mongolian Grill
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Johnny Cash
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – At (402) 466-3235 or chad.lamprecht@airgas.com. You can also visit our website at www.airgas.com.