Thermadyne Holdings Corporation is a global designer and manufacturer of cutting and welding products, including equipment, accessories and consumables. The Company also designs, manufactures and sells products in categories: gas apparatus and related consumables, which represented 36.6%; arc welding equipment, which represented 18.1%; arc welding accessories and consumables, which represented 29.6%, and plasma and automated cutting equipment and related consumables, which represented 14.4% of total sales for the year ended December 31, 2003. Its products are used by manufacturing, construction and foundry operations to cut, join and reinforce steel, aluminum and other metals. The applications of products are shipbuilding, railcar manufacturing, offshore oil and gas rig construction, fabrication and repair and maintenance of manufacturing equipment and facilities. On May 23, 2003, the Company consummated a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.