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Longtime contractor supplier OXARC Inc. has a new industrial gases fill plant and retail shop in Gresham – its first west of the Cascade Mountains.

The plant, which pumps various gases used in welding, construction and beverage industries, will supply several contractors working on large projects in Hillsboro and around the Portland-metro area, General Manager Mike Sutley said. OXARC provides a wide array of services and products, including safety-related items like protective gloves, masks, fire extinguishers and its own line of refrigeration wear products, he said.

The Spokane-based company, which has been in business since 1968, has 21 locations around Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon and Northeastern Idaho. OXARC opened new branches in Bend and The Dalles in July and December 2012, respectively, Sutley said.

The company has been working with gas fill distributors in Pasco, Wash., and then hauling those gases to other distributors in the Portland market. With the Gresham plant now open, OXARC will begin providing those gases directly to distributors and contractors.

The company also has a safety sales force and provides safety training on work sites on topics such as fall protection and confined space entry, Sutley said.

“We are very diversified in what we do,” said Greg Walmsley, president of OXARC. “The list goes on and on.”

The new shop is located at 19310 N.E. San Rafael St. in Gresham. For more information about the company, visit .