OUR STORY

SERVING WITH INTEGRITY & EXCELLENCE SINCE 1947

Central McGowan is a growing, diversified business with customers across more than 20 industries and throughout the U.S. We're family owned with local roots and proud of it.

Founded in 1965 with the merger of McGowan Welding Supply in Little Falls, MN (est. 1947) and Central Welding Supply of St. Cloud, a small supplier of equipment and gases in St. Cloud, MN. In 2015, expanded to include custom automation and robotics, making us one of the only local distributors who is also an integrator.

 

It's been through the hard work and ingenuity of dedicated employees that we've grown our services and product offerings to where they are today.

 

 

    • Gases for welding, industrial, manufacturing, medical, and food & beverage

 

    • Dry ice for commercial/residential cleaning, cooling and industrial blasting

 

 

    • Custom automation and robotic technologies and solutions to boost quality, productivity and safety for our customers

 

We have retail welding stores in St. Cloud, Little Falls, Mankato, and Minneapolis MN, and Fargo, ND; CO2/Beverage Carbonation distribution branches in St. Cloud & St. Paul, MN, Des Moines, IA, and Fargo, ND; and dealers in nearly 70 locations across MN.

Our distribution business reaches nearly every corner of Minnesota and Iowa, and areas of Wisconsin and the Dakotas. Our dedicated Automation Center in St. Cloud, MN, serves customers across the Midwest, on both coasts and in Texas, and internationally.

OUR MISSION SINCE 1947:  WE WORK FOR YOU.
We deliver solutions our customers and team need to thrive.

OUR CORE VALUES

SUCCESS
that's shared
& lasting

TRUST
in our words
& actions

INNOVATION
that drives
excellence & growth

COLLABORATION
that delivers value-added
services & solutions

CULTURE
centered on people,
safety, family & fun

OUR DIFFERENTIATORS

 

After decades of doing business, we believe quality, integrity, and putting customers first are the keys to our success. Whether it's welding gases, a plasma cutter, or a custom automation solution, these are what set us apart. And it all starts with a commitment to our mission of "making life work better" for our customers.

Thumbs Up Star

QUALITY IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP & TRANSACTION

  • People with a strong work ethic and drive to serve and exceed expectations
  • Products from leading manufacturers and backed by an iron-clad satisfaction guarantee
  • Values that produce quality solutions and shared success-day in and day out
noun_Magnify people_877642

ALWAYS PUTTING CUSTOMERS FIRST

  • Laser-sharp customer insight and business understanding

  • Relationships built on trust and honest communication
  • Keeping our word and promises
noun_bar chart_269358

DRIVEN TO SERVE & EXCEL

  • Driven to impress, never satisfied with status quo
  • Relentless desire to innovate, improve and solve problems
  • Lead time and less-than-load advantages