Beecher, Ill., April 4, 2006—MIG welding gun innovator Bernard® announced that it will provide a Q™ -Gun and samples of Centerfire™ consumables with the purchase of most industrial wire feeder products and bundled MIG welding systems from Miller Electric Mfg. Co. To ensure complete satisfaction, Bernard has also implemented ‘Choose Your Weapon’ Gun Exchange program, allowing end-users to get the right gun for their application. The program is in effect until December 31, 2006.

 

Strategic Initiative Brings Proven Results

Bernard will provide a Q-Gun and samples of Centerfire consumables with the purchase of most industrial wire feeder products and bundled MIG welding systems from Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

Miller and Bernard recently announced a strategic initiative to integrate Bernard MIG welding guns and Centerfire consumables on Miller wire feeders and MIG systems.

“Laboratory tests and extensive research with end-user accounts conclusively proves that Bernard Q-Guns with Centerfire consumables lower welding costs and improve MIG welding productivity in most applications,” says John Winek, Bernard general manager. “However, we understand that customers must actually experience welding with Bernard products to appreciate their performance and benefits. So customers can experience these benefits, Bernard is offering the chance to try the Q-Gun and has established the ‘Choose Your Weapon’ Gun Exchange program. We are confident that once customers use a Q-Guns with Centerfire consumables, they will be able to address welding issues that they have not been able to remedy with other MIG welding gun or consumables systems.”

The following Miller products are automatically shipped with a Bernard Q400 MIG gun: 22-A, 24-A and R-115 wire feeders, as will the Delta-Fab™ and CP-302, Invision™ 354MP, XMT™ 304 XMT™ 350 MIGRunner™ systems. The gun offer only applies to these products and systems at this time, although others may be added in the future.

The Q400 is a 400-amp, 100 percent duty cycle, air-cooled, MIG welding gun with a 15-ft. cable. Its retail value is approximately $400. To ensure customer satisfaction with the gun, Bernard also introduced its ‘Choose Your Weapon’ Gun Exchange program. If the Q-Gun bundled with the Miller product does not fit the end-users’ application, Bernard will exchange it for any other configurable, gas-cooled Bernard MIG welding gun for no additional cost—even if the new gun is more expensive than the original. Program details are available at BernardWelds.com/miller.

“We spent much of 2005 validating the technical merits of Bernard products,” says Mike Weller, president of Miller Electric Mfg. Co. and ITW Channel Marketing Americas. “We have concluded that Bernard is the best provider of MIG welding guns and consumables in the market today—period. They bring real benefits to end-users.”

 

Centerfire Benefits

Centerfire consumables offer superior arc performance and gas coverage, longer consumable life (an average of at least three times longer) and an easy-to-change tip design (especially beneficial on aluminum and stainless applications).

Centerfire contact tips “drop-in” and lock in place without tools for quick changeovers. The design provides better electrical conductivity to enhance arc performance and improve heat dissipation for longer tip life. The nozzle features a built-in spatter shield for smooth gas flow to reduce downtime and increase arc-on time.

Special adaptors enable Centerfire consumables to connect to competitors’ MIG welding guns, allowing end-users to standardize on one set of consumables regardless of MIG welding gun brand and reducing costs related to ordering, stocking and tracking welding consumables.

Bernard manufactures premium gas metal arc welding guns, consumables, accessories and manual arc products. For over 50 years Bernard has been an innovator in heavy-duty MIG welding and a proven contributor to improved welding productivity. For more information, contact Bernard at (800) 946-2281; (708) 946-2281 (outside of U.S.); fax (708) 946-6726; visit BernardWelds.com, email info@bernardwelds.com or write to Bernard Customer Service, 449 West Corning Road Box 667, Beecher, IL 60401.