Company History

Nothing But The Best Since 1935

While most of Tech Air's competitors have headed for the exits, Tech Air has increased its commitment to its customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate. In 2009, Tech Air opened a new 5500 square foot facility in Wappingers Falls, NY that replaced an aging facility located on the same site. This beautiful and energy-efficient facility will enable the more efficient servicing of our growing customer base in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

In 2007, the company established the Tech Air Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) through which our employees beneficially own more than 50% of the company stock. The ESOP benefits not only our employees by providing for a more secure retirement but also our customers who benefit from the increased commitment and productivity of our employee-owners.

With over 70 qualified, experienced professionals and 20 delivery vehicles, Tech Air has six locations in Naugatuck, CT; Danbury, CT; Berlin, CT; Canaan, CT; Wappingers Falls, NY and White Plains, NY where Tech Air traces its roots back 75 years - once a small, one-store operation known as County Welding Products - with just a dozen employees generating less than $1 million in annual revenue.

In 1977, Myles Dempsey, Sr., the current Chairman of Tech Air, worked as an acquisitions specialist for the Linde Division of Union Carbide (now known as Praxair). At that time he was working on the acquisition of County Welding Products in White Plains for Linde. The business was near bankruptcy and Dempsey, Sr. then said to Jack McLean, the president of Linde, “I don't have any money, but I think I can turn this business around.” McLean agreed to convert $200,000 in past-due trade receivables into a 10-year note and also threw in cash for the down payment. Along with seller financing, the purchase was made with zero dollars down – 100 percent debt.

Turn it around he said, and that is exactly what he did. Dempsey, Sr. had a vision and through hard work and determination brought his plans to fruition - and in 1995, the company decided to consolidate the various identities of County Welding Products of White Plains, Connecticut Specialty Gas of Danbury and Peterson Welding Supply of Wappingers Falls into one overarching identity, and eagerly rolled out the name Tech Air.

The high standards originally put into place by Mr. Dempsey, Sr. are still maintained as well as strengthened today. The company lives up to the Tech Air name by investing heavily in technology while specializing in distribution of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding equipment and supplies, gas handling equipment, and cryogenic equipment.

With advanced products and services such as micro bulk, cryo-storage systems, gas manifolds and piping, bulk system installations, and 100% bar-coded cylinder tracking Tech Air is able to provide the highest quality in products and systems for the bio-tech and high-tech markets of the region.