Honored Guests:

Good morning,

Today is a special occasion to honor Mr. Shu Hong Rui and Shanghai Hugong Welding and Cutting Company.On behalf of ITW Welding Products Group we would like to congratulate you on 50 years of Shanghai Gas Welding and 15 years of Shanghai Hugong Welding and Cutting Company for innovation and dedication to the welding industry.I would like also congratulate Mr. Stan Shu to be named President of Shanghai Hugong Welding and Cutting Company.

In the past 50 years there have been many welding equipment companies that entered the market.Some have prospered while others faded away.Hugong is one of the companies that have prospered.And it has prospered under Mr. Shu, and his leadership and dedication to the industry that we all represent. Today Shanghai Hugong Electric Welding Machine MFG Co., Ltd is Shanghai's proprietor of “Hugong” brand products which expands into overseas market with the same good quality and service it has grown to represent.

Our relationship with Hugong goes back to Nov. 2002. Then the Vice President of Miller, Mr. Bruce Albrecht visited Hugong and in return Mr. Shu visited Miller US in March 2003. From my own experience, I first had the pleasure to meet with Mr. Shu at the Essen Welding Show in Germany in 2005.I could not speak Chinese and he could not speak English, but his son Stan translated for us and we were able to communicate enough to understand each others passion for the welding industry and how our philosophy on doing business were similar.That philosophy is: Being fair and respectful to your employees.Built a quality product and provide the best service and support in the industry.Be honest and ethical in all business situations.And most importantly: Treat your customer as your partner in business.

Mr. Shu invited me to visit his factory last year.Even though I have visited many manufacturing facilities during my time in China, my visit to Hugong was one of my favorite.I could see in his factory the pride that he has for his people and the product that he produces.His factory is modern, state of the art, clean, efficient and world class. More important, his passion to learn new technologies and continuous improvement left a very good impression on me in each of my later visits to HuGong.

Today is huge milestone for HuGong. It is our hope that tomorrow will be the beginning of new era for Hugong. It is a time for all of us to look to the future to service our customers better for a prosperous welding business in China and the world. I look forward to seeing all of you next week at the Beijing Essen Show.

Thank you again for inviting us to share in this historic celebration.