ESAB makes $5,000 welding education grant to Krum ISD

Denton, Texas – The first annual “ESAB Future Fabricators Charlie Monschke Welding Education Grant” in the amount of $5,000 was awarded to Krum Independent School District of Krum, Texas. ESAB also surprised the school with a donation of three Rebel™ EMP 215ic multi-process, multi-voltage welding machines, welding leathers and a Swarm A20 automatic welding helmet, which have a combined retail value exceeding $7,500.

The award and gifts were presented April 30 during a tour of ESAB’s Denton facility for eight students from Krum’s Agricultural Mechanics program, their instructor, the Krum ISD principal and superintendent. The students, who participate in a welding-intensive program, visited ESAB’s Demonstration Showroom where they made welds using ESAB’s collaborative robot (cobot) and the award-winning Renegade™ VOLT battery-powered welder. 

Charles Monschke was a manager of advanced mechanical engineering at ESAB until he passed away in April 2023. He graduated from Krum High School in 1965 and remained connected to the school through his children and nephew. In 1966, Monschke started at the Victor Equipment Company, which had just opened its Denton operation. ESAB acquired the Victor brand in 2014. Today the 436,000 sq.-ft. Denton facility employs 400 people and serves as one of ESAB’s flagship North American locations.

“The annual Charlie Monschke Education Grant will continue Charlie’s legacy by promoting welding and cutting careers, and there is no better place to begin than at the school that gave Charlie his start. In the future, the $5,000 grant will go toward other area schools,” said Eleanor Lukens, ESAB President of the Americas. “Welding careers are in high demand, and especially in Texas. The investments made in schools and students through the ESAB Future Fabricators Program helps create a workforce that is better prepared to pursue careers in the skilled trades and fabrication-related engineering programs.”

“The $5,000 grant will be used to upgrade Krum ISD’s Agriculture Mechanic’s welding program where approximately 150 students take courses,” said Sydney Wallace, School Communications Officer and former Ag Mechanics instructor. “This money is greatly appreciated. Our equipment is old and worn down. We will be able to purchase new welders, guns, consumables and get our program up to date.”

The city of Krum recently approved a large bond to renovate Krum’s CTE Center, among other school renovations in the district. These changes are currently in the design phase. The ESAB grant will help purchase new equipment for the new center. Currently the Ag Mechanics program offers four welding related classes and has eight welding booths for students to practice their skills.

Charlie Monschke

“Charlie was a valued associate and friend to all of us at ESAB,” said Purushothama Doddanna, Plant Manager, ESAB. “A beacon of integrity and generosity, we are proud to memorialize him and all he did to educate young welders, volunteer in his community, and play a critical role in the design and safety of Victor gas equipment products.” 

Graduating from Krum High School in 1965, Charlie was class president and valedictorian. He started working for Victor Equipment Company right after high school to put himself through engineering school at North Texas State University (now University of North Texas), where he graduated in 1970. He worked over 58 years at the Denton plant, moving from a production line worker to a mechanical engineer where he was an important factor in designing and creating the safest cutting torches in the world. He spent much of his time looking to add new and better safety measures to Victor equipment, as well as educating Victor’s many customers on the proper use of its equipment. Throughout his life, Charlie remained extremely active in his community, and particularly at Krum High School where he attended as many games, award ceremonies and special events as possible. He coached both his daughter and son in basketball, softball and baseball at Krum, volunteered at many concessions stands and proudly served as a Krum ISD school board member in the early 90’s.

In a video shot to celebrate Victor’s 100th anniversary in 2013, Charlie recalled that “Victor was the first major company that came into Denton. There was nothing else out in this area besides Victor. We grew the building, expanded it twice. Victor has been a large employer for the people of Denton. I put myself and two children through college while working here.” 

Expanded Facility

Recently, the Denton plant underwent its third and largest renovation since its original build in 1965. Serving continuously as a core manufacturing location, North American distribution center and research and development facility, the expanded plant provides more opportunities to reach the welding industry, promote welding as a career and meet the needs of its many customers. It now features a new Customer Experience Center for visitors to see ESAB’s latest innovations and state-of-the-art operations. The facility also boasts a world-class training facility with a new demonstration and application development area where customers can see, test and try-out new equipment and consumables. The facility is powered by 100% renewable energy sources, helping ESAB achieve its sustainability goals.

“Being able to bring visitors from high schools and technical education programs here to showcase our latest products and provide access to our technology-leading experts will help build excitement for a career in welding,” said Dennis Hampton, ESAB Production and Maintenance Manager, Denton. “We are looking forward to having schools and students visit us on a regular basis.”

During tours, visitors experience the Demonstration Showroom, which features ESAB’s light industrial products such as the Rebel compact multi-process welder series and the Rogue Stick, TIG product lines, filler metals, and heavy manufacturing equipment like the ESAB Cobot paired with Aristo® Edge and Warrior® Edge power sources and RobustFeed wire feed systems. The Applications Lab provided live demonstrations of the new Renegade™ VOLT battery-powered welder and new Swift-Cut automated cutting system for smaller fabricators (which complement ESAB’s larger, more complex automated cutting systems). 

About ESAB

ESAB is a world leader in fabrication technology. For more than 100 years ESAB has transformed industries built by fabricators, providing complete workflow solutions through our diverse portfolio of products from more than 40 of the most trusted brands in welding and cutting in the world. From industrial demands to repair and maintenance, innovators that shape the world rely on ESAB’s portfolio.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

ESAB Trade Media Contact:
Chuck Schroeder
Tel +1 (262) 618-4427
[email protected]

Corporate Media Contact:
Tilea Coleman
Tel +1 (301) 323-9092
[email protected]