ESAB Plasma Cutter Survives Tornado

July, 2003

Look closely at this photo, and you’ll see an ESAB PCM-500i, just to the left of the remaining concrete wall. Recently, John Gasque, Vice President of Young Welding, shared this story. Last November 10th, a severe tornado ripped through Columbus, Mississippi. Fortunately, it happened after 9:00 pm, so no personnel were there as the tornado demolished Young Welding’s building and caused approximately $50,000 in damage and lost inventory. When they cranked up the PCM, however, the ESAB Plasmarc™ cutter still worked! We designed all machines in our Plasmarc cutting line for rugged use and tough conditions. But we never imagined a machine would come through an “F3” category (winds of 158-206 mph) tornado.

Amazingly, Young Welding never closed. They managed to set up temporary offices in storage trailers across the street, near a dock area that was not heavily damaged by the storm. “Our business has been in this location since 1938,” says Gasque. “We will rebuild and continue to provide the quality service and products we always have.”