11/12/2025
🏆 Jack Butler Receives IWDC’s Top Honor – The Bob Jackson Memorial Award 🏆
The Independent Welding Distributors Cooperative (IWDC) is proud to recognize Jack Butler of Butler Gas Products Company, Inc. as the recipient of the 2025 Bob Jackson Memorial Award. Jack was honored during our Owners’ Meeting, held November 4–6 in Bonita Springs, Florida.
This prestigious award celebrates a Member who has “gone above and beyond” in their support of the IWDC, our industry, and their community. The award is named in honor of Bob Jackson, who played an integral role in IWDC’s founding.
Jack’s impact on both the industrial gas and welding industry and the Pittsburgh community has been profound. Under his leadership, Butler Gas Products, founded by his father in 1948, has grown its focus on industrial, medical, and specialty gas markets — advancing innovation through cylinder barcoding, palletization, and automated fill plants to improve quality, safety, and service.
Jack’s dedication to the industry is reflected in his leadership across multiple organizations:
• President, National Welding Supply Association (now GAWDA) – 1993
• Two-term President, International Oxygen Manufacturers Association (IOMA) – 2003–2004
• President, Buying and Information Group (BIG) – 2010–2011
• Chairman, Compressed Gas Association (CGA) – 2018
He continues to serve as a long-term IWDC Gas Committee member and a key contributor to our PurityPlus Specialty Gas Program.
Please join us in congratulating Jack Butler on this well-deserved recognition for his outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to the independent gas and welding community. 👏