EURO Facade Products (EFP), which is exhibiting at The Big 5, has been confirmed as the regional OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for the automated product range of one of the world’s best-known producers of welding and cutting equipment.

Following the appointment, the Dubai-based company is now collaborating with Thermadyne, a division of the Thermadyne Holdings Corporation – a household name in the US cutting and welding sector for more than 50 years.
The American multi-national, based in St Louis, Missouri, is a global manufacturer of cutting and welding machinery. It is represented in 25 countries on six continents and has manufacturing plants throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Now it has chosen EFP to market a select range of its equipment throughout the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
“This is a great coup for us as a company and Dubai as a city,” says Shaun Barton-Smith, EFP’s managing director.
“Thermadyne has long been at the forefront of cutting and welding technology. It currently holds some 340 US and foreign patents, which is an indication of its stature and its constant commitment to technical development and innovation. Its reputation for service excellence over half a century has set the benchmark for the industry worldwide. For all these reasons and more, Euro Façade Products is extremely proud to form this new relationship,” he adds.
Barton-Smith says EFP will be responsible for distributing Thermadyne’s range of automated plasma cutting machines and accessories. “These are marketed under the name Thermal Dynamics Automation, with the emphasis very much on automation. EFP largely made its name on automating the cladding and fabrication industry – another reason why our tie-up with Thermadyne is a perfect fit for us both,” he comments.
Barton-Smith continues: “Automation in construction and associated industries was not embraced as quickly in this part of the world as elsewhere. Cheap labour and a reluctance to invest in new equipment were among the reasons for that. But EFP’s CNC (computer numerical control) routers and other machinery launched at The Big 5 in 2005 caused something of a sensation locally. When contractors saw how relatively inexpensive these machines were, and how quickly their investment was returned many times over by increased production, then word of mouth spread and automation really began to take off. It is perhaps a little slower in the wider Middle East than in the Gulf itself, and slower still in North Africa, but the fact is that the corner has been turned.
“Automated products have been recognised as the only way forward in 21st century construction and that is what EFP and Thermadyne are committed to. End-users previously could only gain access to Thermal Dynamics Products by importing them into the region via various other countries. Now, through EFP, the products are on their doorstep – and not only the products, but all the local support that end-users rightly demand.”
Steve Milner, automation development manager for Thermadyne, says: “We are delighted to welcome Euro Façade Products into our worldwide network of OEM outlets. We have brushed shoulders with the EFP team at various exhibitions over the years and have always been greatly impressed by their efforts.
“Thermadyne’s business philosophy is founded on a commitment to growth through strategic acquisitions, aggressive new product development, superior quality and reliability and service excellence on a worldwide basis. That sets the bar pretty high for any organisation wishing to form a relationship with us.
“However, EFP’s products are extremely innovative, and the highly impressive individuals within the company demonstrate the keen entrepreneurial spirit that our own company values and personifies. Thermadyne has great confidence that EFP are the people to represent our interests in this part of the world.”