Our History
We are New England
Firmly rooted in the gas supply industry for over 70 years
Middlesex Gases is a third-generation, family-owned supplier of specialty gases, regulation equipment, bulk and MicroBulk systems. Our extensive gas distribution network services clients throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Middlesex Gases was founded in 1949 by Joseph Martin. Martin’s vision to operate an independent distributorship of quality products at a competitive price was clear, which resulted in Middlesex Gases becoming an industry leader. Fundamental values, such as providing outstanding service and value, developed into a philosophy that accelerated Middlesex’s success in providing a wide range of gases to life science and biotechnology companies throughout the New England area.
History of Middlesex Gases
In 1949 Joseph Martin begins Middlesex Welding Supply at 1655 Revere Beach Parkway.
Back in 1949 Harry S. Truman began serving his second term as President of the United States. The average cost of a new home was $7,450, the average cost of a new car was $1,420, a gallon of gas was 17 cents and minimum wage was 70 cents per hour. Postwar prosperity was starting to get underway. That year Middlesex Welding Supply was established as an independent distributor with Joseph Martin, Sr. as the founding father.
Joseph Martin’s vision for business was clear—to create and operate a strong, independent distributorship that would sell quality products at a fair price and back them up with excellent service. With humble beginnings that included an upside-down milk carton for a chair and a single pickup truck for deliveries, Joseph Martin, Sr. and his associate Tom Qualey began the Middlesex Welding Supply operation in Everett, Massachusetts.In 1960 Middlesex Welding Supply opens a Cambridge, MA office building along with a warehouse, store and distribution center.
By 1960 Middlesex Welding Supply had outgrown the Everett, MA location and moved to a new facility in Cambridge, MA. In 1965, the company returned to Everett with the addition of a fill plant at what is now Middlesex Gases’ headquarters. This fill plant is thought to be one of the first of its kind for an independent distributor. To support these new facilities, equipment and company growth, Middlesex Welding Supply also added to its staff at this time.
In 1964 Middlesex Welding Supply opens its first fill plant at 292 Second Street, Everett, MA.
In 1964 Middlesex decided to open its own fill plant in Everett, MA and began to expand its capabilities filling nitrogen, oxygen and argon in both liquid and gaseous products. This would be a strategic step in becoming an independent distributor and would provide a greater opportunity to sell more competitively in the Boston market. The fill plant also helped expedite the products to the customers at a faster rate.
In 1970 a benchmark is hit—Middlesex Welding Supply sells 2,000,000 c.f. of nitrogen gas.
Middlesex Welding Supply was recognized for supplying 2,000,000 cubic ft. of nitrogen product to its end users. This award was presented by Airco, who was their bulk supplier. By comparison today, Middlesex Gases sells over 500,000,000 cubic ft. of product per year.
In 1974 Joe Martin, Jr. becomes CEO of Middlesex Welding Supply.
In 1974 Joseph Martin, Sr. passed away and Joseph Martin, Jr. began his role as CEO of Middlesex Welding Supply. Like his father, Joe Jr. continued to focus on the company’s core values and met with even more success, necessitating the addition of other facilities in Massachusetts.
In 1981 Middlesex Welding Supply opens a new branch in Haverhill, MA.
In the early 1980s Middlesex Welding Supply continues leading the industrial market for gases and welding supplies. A second branch is opened for business at this time in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
In 1991 the family-owned business grows with new leadership from Bo and Tom Martin.
As the Boston market started to shift away from fabrication and towards research and development firms, a new leadership at Middlesex Welding Supply emerged. In 1991, Joseph “Bo” Martin became CEO and his brother Tom became company President.
In 1992 Middlesex Welding Supply changes its name to Middlesex Gases & Technologies.
In 1992 Middlesex Welding Supply changed its name to Middlesex Gases & Technologies to better reflect the capabilities, products and services. The company begins its focus on becoming an elite specialty gas supplier for the life science market.
In 1993 Middlesex Gases & Technologies decides to develop a cylinder tracking system.
By the time Joseph Martin, Jr. passed away in 1993, Middlesex Gases & Technologies had started to fill specialty gases and expanded its capabilities to meet the new demands of emerging markets. The company decided at this time to develop a cylinder tracking system. This was a huge undertaking for Middlesex Gases & Technologies as it required the bar coding of all its cylinders. The decision to launch this system, however, has proven to be pivotal to the continued success of the company.
In 1999, Middlesex Gases & Technologies opened its second filling distribution plant in Plainville, MA, helping to expand service operation to Rhode Island, Connecticut, and southeastern Massachusetts.
The 1990s saw more growth for the company and in 1999 Middlesex Gases & Technologies opened a second fill plant in Plainville, Massachusetts. This allowed Middlesex Gases & Technologies to target new business opportunities in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts.
In 2002 Middlesex Gases & Technologies transitions into distributing bulk and MicroBulk cryogenic products.
In 2002 Middlesex Gases & Technologies decided to purchase its first MicroBulk truck, with the initial goal of supporting the life sciences market and research companies. The fleet consists of tractor trailers—for nitrogen, argon and liquid CO2.
In 2007 Middlesex Gases & Technologies purchases its third filling and distribution plant.
In 2007, Middlesex added a third filling and distribution plant by purchasing Mass Oxygen in Lowell, Massachusetts, thus expanding its capabilities and services into the state of New Hampshire.
In 2017 Middlesex Gases & Technologies becomes the preferred supplier for the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) in Cambridge, MA.
Middlesex Gases signed a 3-year contract with the Massachusetts Biotech Council to be their preferred supplier of packaged gases. This showed the commitment Middlesex Gases had made to focus on its life science market in the greater Boston area. Massachusetts is considered one of the largest locations for life science and research.
In 2019 a logo rebrand is introduced. In addition, a new partnership with BioCT gives way to expansion into Connecticut as a preferred gas supplier.
In 2019, the company decided to rebrand their identity starting with a new logo design and the changing of their name to “Middlesex Gases.” The new name and logo design put more emphasis on the core product—”Gases”—and the addition of a DNA strand was a clear nod to the life science industry.
Also in this year, Middlesex Gases became a preferred gas supplier in another state by partnering with BioCT, in Connecticut.In 2020 Middlesex Gases sells over 500,000,000 c.f. of nitrogen gas into the marketplace and becomes the preferred supplier for the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC) of Boston, MA.
Today, Middlesex Gases is the leading provider of specialty gases and gas solutions for New England. With three fill plants and two branch locations and a state-of-the-art spec gas laboratory, Middlesex Gases now services Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Middlesex Gases’ core values remain the same as they were in 1949 and continue to lead the company’s further expansion by providing quality, cost-effective products and solutions with reliable service, and dependable support.
Back in 1949, Harry S. Truman began serving his second term as President of the United States. The
average cost of a new home was $7,450, the average cost of a new car was $1,420, a gallon of gas was 17 cents and minimum wage was 70 cents per hour. Postwar prosperity was starting to get underway. That year Middlesex Welding Supply was established as an independent distributor with Joseph Martin Sr. as the founding father.
Joseph Martin’s vision for business was clear – to create and operate a strong independent distributorship
that would sell quality products at a fair price and back them up with excellent service. With humble beginnings that included an upside down milk carton for a chair and a single pickup truck for deliveries,
Joseph Martin, Sr. and his associate Tom Qualey began the Middlesex Welding Supply operation in Everett, Massachusetts.
By 1960 Middlesex had outgrown the Everett location and moved to a new facility in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. In 1965, the company returned to Everett with the addition of a fill plant at what is now Middlesex headquarters. This fill plant is thought to be one of the first of its kind for an independent distributor. To support these new facilities, equipment, and company growth, Middlesex also added to its staff at this time.
In 1974 Joseph Martin, Sr. passed away and Joseph Martin Jr. began his role as CEO of Middlesex Welding Supply. Like his father, Joe Jr. continued to focus on the company’s core values and met with even more success, necessitating the addition of other facilities in Massachusetts. In the 1970s, Middlesex purchased a location in Framingham from Airco and also scratch-started another branch location in Haverhill.
By the late 1980s the fabrication business, a leading market for gases and welding supplies, started to
dwindle around the country, including in the Boston area. Several gas distributor competitors also
emerged on the scene.
As the Boston market started to shift away from fabrication and towards research and development firms, it was important that
Middlesex create a marketing strategy to meet new market demands. “Joseph “Bo” Martin became CEO in 1991 and together with his brother Tom as company President, led the company on its new path. He began by overseeing a branding change. In 1992 Middlesex Welding Supply changed its name to Middlesex Gases & Technologies to better reflect the capabilities, products, and services the
company now offered to Boston’s emerging gas markets.
By the time Joseph Martin Jr. passed away in 1993, Middlesex had started to fill specialty gases and the
company has continued to expand its specialty gas capabilities to meet the new demands of emerging markets. The company decided to develop a cylinder tracking system. This was a huge undertaking for Middlesex as it required the barcoding of all its cylinders. The decision to launch this system, however, has proven to be pivotal to the continued success of the company. Today, Middlesex offers university laboratories and other institutions a cylinder tracking system that allows
them to more carefully control and manage their cylinder inventory.
The 1990s saw more growth for the company and in 1999 Middlesex opened a second fill plant in Plainville, Massachusetts. This allowed Middlesex to target new business opportunities in Rhode Island and western Massachusetts.
In 2002 Middlesex decided to purchase its first MicroBulk truck, with the initial goal of supporting the Life Sciences market and research companies. Today Middlesex has four tractor trailers – three for nitrogen, one for argon, and a liquid CO2 truck. In 2007, Middlesex added a third filling and distribution plant by purchasing Mass Oxygen in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Today, Middlesex operates in a tri-state area with three fill plants and two branch locations that service Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Middlesex Gases & Technologies’ core values
remain the same as they were in 1949 and continue to lead the company’s further expansion by assuring its customers of excellent products, service, and support.