About Us | Harris Products Group

Harris Overview

The Harris Products Group is a world leader in metal working products used in the brazing, soldering, welding, cutting and gas distribution industries. The company was formed in 2006 with the merger of Harris Calorific, Inc., a manufacturer of gas welding and cutting equipment and gas regulation and distribution systems, and the J.W. Harris Co., a manufacturer of brazing and soldering alloys and welding consumables.

The Harris Products Group currently operates 12 manufacturing facilities in 6 countries; Mason, Ohio, USA; Gainesville, Georgia, USA, Carthage, Tennessee, USA, Gordonsville, Tennessee, USA, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA, Florence, Alabama, USA, Reno, Nevada, USA, Dzierzonow, Poland, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Guadalupe, Mexico, Albergaria-A-Velha, Portugal, and Verona, Italy. Each is ISO 9001 certified for quality management systems.

Demonstrating a commitment to stewardship of the global environment, these facilities are also ISO 14001 certified for environmental management systems.

Harris Calorific

With a history that includes the invention of flame-cutting torches and more than 100 years of manufacturing excellence, The Harris Products Group has a firm foundation in the equipment and alloys used in brazing, soldering, welding, cutting, heating and gas control.

Beginning in 1899, John Harris discovered the oxy-acetylene method of cutting while conducting research on the manufacture of synthetic rubies. While working on the materials, he accidentally cut the metal plate beneath the synthetic ruby, discovering the world's first flame-cutting torch.

He exhibited the torch at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and started Harris Calorific in 1905. Harris continued to refine its gas torches and started manufacturing related accessories, including gas pressure regulators. In 1926, the company was purchased by the U.S. Welding Co., and it became a part of Emerson Electric Co. in 1973.

J. W. Harris

Meanwhile, in 1914, Joseph W. Harris founded the J.W. Harris Company, specializing in the distribution and repair of specialized parts for automotive and farm vehicles. The company later expanded into welding alloys and accessories. In 1984, the company purchased Unibraze Corp., another welding and brazing filler metals company, and they continued their expansion with the acquisition of Thermacote Welco Co. in 1993. Autobraze, a manufacturer of precision brazing rings and return bends, was acquired in 2005.

For both companies, the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s brought about expansion into other areas of the world. By 1963, Harris Calorific had diversified into anesthesia equipment and other medical gas applications. Both companies also explored international markets, including a J.W. Harris international distribution center in Spain.

The Harris Products Group

Recognizing the complementary product offerings that both Harris Calorific and J.W. Harris had to offer, Lincoln Electric acquired both companies. In 1990, Lincoln Electric purchased Harris Calorific from Emerson Electric. And in 2005, the global company purchased the privately-held J.W. Harris.

The companies were officially combined on May 1, 2006, creating the Harris Products Group. Since that formation, additional companies offering complementary products have joined the group.

In 2005, Lincoln Electric also acquired Gulf Wire Corporation, a manufacturer of aluminum and stainless welding alloys, and Filler Metals, a supplier of niche welding alloys. The companies were also folded into the Harris Products Group, further expanding the company’s diverse product offerings.

The combined company offers excellence in the manufacture of various products - look below to find out more.

Product Portfolio

Brazing/Soldering/Fluxes

Welding/Fluxes

Equipment

Product Portfolio

Specialty Gas Equipment

Model 260 High Flow Automatic Switchover

Gas Manifold Systems

Accessories

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Lincoln Statement

The Harris Products Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, automated joining, assembly and cutting systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in brazing and soldering alloys. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 71 manufacturing locations in 21 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at www.lincolnelectric.com.