Larry Rowold
Plastic Welding Instructor, Consultant
I have been working actively in the Plastics and Plastic Installation and Fabrication industry for more than 25 years.
I began as a project manager, supervising subcontractors to install plastic liners, to actually forming and training in-house personnel to install plastic liners.
I was a Construction Manager for large Geomembrane Manuafacturer, having work crews in different parts of the country and the world.
I worked with Plastic Fabrication Equipment manufacturers developing/selling/servicing Plastic Fabrication equipment.
As part of the Equipment demonstrations I became hooked on the teaching of proper plastic welding techniques and have been doing that on my own for the past 15 years.
32 contactsIn 2005 we relocated to The Villages, FL, probably one of my smartest things I have do so far. The area offers everything that we will need in the future, and has plenty of activities to keep us busy now.
Even though we live in a retirement community, we are not retired. A couple of poor business decisions and a slow economy took some of my disposable income and I will have to work a few more years.
I enjoy the Plastic Welding Field, from teaching Plastic Welding to new and expereinced plastic welders to consulting on new projects. I have been fortunate to work/teach/consult in almost all of the 50 States plus some in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. And this is the challange that I enjoy most.
My methodology of teaching focus's on the proper welding techniques identified in the DVS, AWS, TWI and other tecnnical standards. I bring the methodologies to the new welder and the experienced welder alike on the basis of "What a good welds looks like, and feels like" and expand upon that in teaching them what it takes to make good quality welds on a consistant basis.
I teach from a "hands on approach", we spend time on theory, but most of the time is spent hands on. I have worked in several forign countries where our best understood communication was based on our welding. As they became more familier with the welding, we able to communicate about what was right and what was wrong. And we learned from there.
I continue to work with the best Equipment manufacturers and often make equipment recommendations, and quite often I service the equipment that I sell. I have numberous customers who have been loyal for well over 15 years some approaching 20 and that is a tribute.
I am limiting my work area to teaching and consulting, with some minor equipment sales.
I have found and have taken the time to strengthen my relationship with my savior Jesus Christ, I always thought I was a religious man, but until I got here, and became a member of the New Covenant United Methodist Church. I did not know what "active in church" meant. I am enjoying what I do more because I found a balance in my life, and my priorities have changed. My God and family are my priority and should have been all along.
I still do long term consulting on projects, last year I spent a few weeks in China, earlier I spent time in South America, and a month in Kuwait. It take on projects that are a challange and rewarding for both myself and my customers.
Plastic Welding and Plastic Fabrication are here to stay, and as long as I am able I will be teaching and consulting.
LARowold@Gmail.com