Central McGowan expands its highly automated distribution hub

Central McGowan is expanding its Fargo, North Dakota CO2 distribution hub, with the intention of turning it into a fully-stocked retail store and distribution site.

Central McGowan is a supplier of gases and technology for the manufacturing, welding, medical, and food and beverage industries in the upper Midwest. And the company is a Fanuc-authorized integrator of automation or robotic solutions

Central McGowan’s Fargo store is located at 1226 38th St N, Fargo, ND 58102 (next to the newly painted water tower). The store officially opens today. Central McGowan has had a presence in the area since 2017, when it acquired Pro-CO2.

Joe Francis, CEO and president of Central McGowan, says: “We believe our wide array of products and services fill a need in the Fargo market.

“Fargo is a thriving, growing area with a concentration of heavy industrial, automation, and food and beverage businesses. This is absolutely the right customer base for a nimble, independent distributor and automation integrator like us.”

Adjacent to Northern States Supply, the new Central McGowan store furthers a building alliance with that company.

The partnership with Northern States allowed Central McGowan to repurpose 1,500 square feet of warehouse space on the back of Northern States’ building for its store.

And, because the two companies serve a similar customer base and share the same service-minded culture, this creates a win-win-win for both of them and, most importantly, the customers they serve.

CO2 will continue to be a core offering at the Fargo site, along with a full portfolio of other industrial, welding, medical, and food and beverage gases, including dry ice.

ColdZERO — Central McGowan’s own brand of dry ice – is manufactured fresh daily at its St Cloud and St Paul locations.

Customers will also have access to the 10,000+ welding, industrial and safety products that are stocked at its main St Cloud warehouse or available for order through its system.

“Central McGowan prides ourselves on being able to get our customers virtually anything they need in the timeframe they need it,” adds Francis.

The company also offers certified servicing of welders, air tools, robot arms, and cutting tables and systems—both on-site and at its St. Cloud service center which is just a few hours away.

The new store will distribute to an area of about 100 miles around Fargo and has been staffed with seasoned sales professionals from the area.

Store manager John Salter is the former owner of The Gas Guy—a local gas and welding supply business (a company which Central McGowan acquired when he was hired).

Robb Peterson, the Central McGowan account manager for the Fargo area, has 20 years of inside/outside sales experience in distribution. The company is hoping to hire another sales person yet this year.

“I’ve been in the market for a long time,” Peterson explains, “Central McGowan’s diverse offerings are a good match for the Fargo market, especially automation.”