Lincoln Electric Promotes Two Executives

Michael J. Whitehead to Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business DevelopmentAdel A. Mir to President, Lincoln Electric Canada

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:LECO) (“Company”), announced today the promotions of Michael J. Whitehead to Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development and Adel A. Mir to President, Lincoln Electric Canada. Both positions are effective immediately.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/403163e8-cfcc-437b-9474-ed0e44bebdae

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef838cc2-d4e1-4d41-bc47-f71e509c9b82 

As Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Whitehead will be responsible for global strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions for the Company and will report to Vincent Petrella, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  Whitehead joined Lincoln Electric in 2005 as Chief Counsel, Intellectual Property and was Director of New Product Development in Research and Development.  Most recently, he served as President, Lincoln Electric Canada.  Whitehead holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from The Ohio State University and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law. 

“Mike has a strong track record of developing new technologies and driving business growth over his 10 year career at Lincoln Electric,” stated Vincent K. Petrella, Lincoln Electric’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  “His commercial and product development expertise will guide our long-term strategy and expand business development opportunities to drive sustainable growth.”

Mir will assume the role as President of Lincoln Electric Canada, a subsidiary of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. and will oversee the country’s day-to-day operations, as well as the financial and competitive success of the business.  He will report to George Blankenship, Executive Vice President and President, Americas Welding.  Mir joined Lincoln Electric Canada in 2007 and has held various operational roles within the organization and was most recently Director, Operations for Lincoln Canada.  He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ryerson University and is a certified Black Belt in Six Sigma. 

George D. Blankenship stated, “Adel is a well-respected leader and has been instrumental in driving continuous improvement within the Canadian business, including leading Lincoln Canada’s ISO 50001 energy management certification.  I am confident that his strategic focus and broad experience in the organization will help us advance our Canadian business and achieve our 2020 goals.” 

About Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 48 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19 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.

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