30 Minutes with: Michael Stewart, Gas & Gear Manager - Wembley

Posted by BOC

For many of our customers, our Gas & Gear store teams are our front line – and the people they turn to when they need help with their welds. We asked Michael about his typical day and some of the more unusual requests that come through his door…

What are the most common questions your welding customers ask?

They’ll generally come in with a welding process in mind, or a piece of metal or some welding kit, and ask us whether what they’re planning is suitable.

We’ll take it right back to the job they’re doing and what they’re trying to achieve. They may already have an idea, but we can often recommend an alternative process that would work better – so it’s a case of being honest and giving the very best advice we can – even if it sometimes means telling them not to go ahead!

What would be on your kit list for someone welding for the very first time?

It really depends on the customer’s skill level and the job they’re working on, so we’ll find out what they’re welding and their budget, advise on the best process, then set them up with a good, entry level welding machine, well-fitting PPE, and the consumables they need.

We’re always happy to answer any questions from first-time welders and our range is second to none, so anyone new to the process can be sure they’ll leave us with everything they need.

How do you ensure they’re welding safely?

There are several ways we can help. Most importantly, it’s about ensuring that customers are using the right product for the process.

If the process and the gas are correct, we make sure they have the right PPE – including a good, well-fitting welding helmet – that they know how to read the pressure settings on their gas, understand how to leak test it, and have understood the clear instructions that come with their equipment. As an additional step we can arrange a CP7 inspection – a check of all of their gas equipment from a qualified inspector, which ensures everything is fit for purpose and working correctly.

What have been your more unusual requests?

We’re very lucky with our location in Wembley to have been involved in some of the biggest projects in London, including of course the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium and the welding of the famous Wembley arch, as well as supplying gas and welding equipment to HS2, Crossrail, and the ongoing maintenance of the London Underground. However, our proudest moment to date was undoubtedly our involvement in the setting up of the Nightingale Hospital project.

We collaborated with BOC’s Customer Engineering Services (CES) to put in the oxygen lines and pipework and supplied all of the gas and equipment not only to the BOC personnel on-site, but also to all of the military welders working on the project – it should have taken a month to eight weeks to complete but was set up and ready to go in just three or four days.

How do you ensure that your customers leave the store happy?

It all comes down to the quality of the advice we give.

A customer may come in here with an idea of what they want to do, but it may not be right. We’ll always talk through their job and their process first, then make sure they leave us with the best quality kit, that’s fit for purpose. And of course, they know they can always check in with us if they have any questions later on.

What do you enjoy most about working at Gas & Gear?

I walk in every morning and have no idea what requests will come through the door. Sometimes it’s a leftfield question, sometimes it’s an unusual piece of equipment that we need to source, but every day is different.

We’re also a tight knit network across all of the Gas & Gear stores, and I’m sure everyone in the team will agree that they’re proud to be the friendly face of BOC. We’re on the front line, helping customers every day and it’s our job to give good, honest, and safe advice. We know that we can provide every customer with the right products and advice for their job, so we’re always confident in being able to help out.

If you’d like to put your welding questions to your local Gas & Gear team, you can find your nearest store by visiting our StoreFinder online. And, with over 50 Gas & Gear stores and 300 Agents stocking the highest quality gas and equipment, you’re never far from BOC.