FAQ

About General Distributing Co. (Gendco)

General Distributing Company is Montana’s leading wholesale distributor of industrial, medical, welding, beverage, agricultural, and specialty gases. Since 1948, we have helped businesses across Montana and the surrounding states operate more efficiently, and safely, through high‑quality products, technical expertise, and reliable local delivery services.

We supply a full range of welding and cutting gases, industrial and specialty gases, and medical gases, along with professional‑grade welding and cutting equipment, industrial tools, safety products, and medical equipment and supplies. Our solutions support critical industries including steel fabrication, construction, healthcare, oil and gas, manufacturing, and agriculture.

General Distributing Company operates two FDA‑compliant medical gas fill plants, ensuring reliable and regulatory‑compliant medical gas supply for hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers. We also offer authorized equipment repair services to keep your welding, cutting, and gas delivery equipment operating at peak performance. For customers with specialized needs, we provide advanced specialty gas blending, custom‑mixed to precise specifications for laboratory, research, and industrial applications.

As a fourth‑generation, family‑owned business, we are deeply rooted in Montana and committed to long‑term partnerships—not just transactions. With convenient locations in Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, and Glendive, our experienced team delivers personalized service, technical support, and expert solution‑oriented guidance you can count on.

Whether you need dependable gas supply, expert equipment support, or customized solutions, General Distributing Company is your trusted local partner for industrial and medical gas distribution in Montana.


Account Information

To access your online store account, mouse-over "Your Account" in the top right corner of the website, then click the red "Sign In" button to show the pop-up form where you can log in using your email address and password.

Once logged in, you will see your account dashboard page, and can place orders, view order history, manage invoices, and access account information.

To set up a credit account with General Distributing Company, you must complete the Credit Application located in the Resources section of our website. Credit accounts are established through this credit approval process.

Contract pricing is handled separately and is based on your specific products, usage, and service needs. An Outside Sales Associate can work directly with you to assess requirements and discuss customized pricing and any applicable product or service agreements.

Customers with an online store account benefit from easy reordering of frequently purchased items, streamlined account management, and an efficient checkout process designed for industrial and commercial buyers.

Gases & Dry Ice

We distribute a comprehensive range of industrial gases, including Acetylene, Argon, Argon Mixes, Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Propylene.

We provide a variety of cylinder sizes to suit different industrial demands, from small portable tanks to large bulk gas trailers. For specific sizing, contact a salesperson, or consult our Cylinder Size Chart in the Resources section.

Yes, we supply high-quality medical gases, including Medical Oxygen USP, Medical Air USP, Medical Nitrous Oxide USP, Medical Carbon Dioxide USP, and Medical Nitrogen NF. All medical gases meet the required USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or NF (National Formulary) specifications for purity and quality.

General Distributing supplies Dry Ice for shipping, cryogenic, and beverage applications. We offer Dry Ice in both Rice and Pellet form. You can purchase Dry Ice by contacting or visiting one of our local branch locations.

To manage your cylinder inventory, including rentals and exchanges, you should contact your nearest Gendco location. Our team will help you establish a flexible gas contract that covers cylinder deposits, rental terms, and a reliable exchange schedule to ensure you never run out of critical gases.

Products & Equipment

We are an authorized distributor for the leading brands in welding and cutting equipment and tools. Our inventory includes MIG, TIG, Stick, and multi-process welders, as well as plasma cutting machines and CNC tables.

Yes, we maintain a large inventory of welding consumables, including welding contact tips, liners, nozzles, diffusers, drive rolls, TIG consumables, and a wide selection of filler metal, welding wire, and TIG rod for various applications (e.g., mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel).

Safety information can be accessed through our SDS Library located in the Resources section of the Gendco website. This library provides documentation for gases, chemicals, and hazardous materials we distribute.

We provide a full line of industrial safety gear, including cut level gloves, welding helmets/hoods, respiratory protection (PAPR units & respirators), fume extraction systems, gas detection monitors, and fall protection (harnesses and lanyards).

Welding Equipment Repair Services & Product Support

Yes, Gendco provides comprehensive equipment repair services for welding machines, torches, regulators, and other industrial equipment. We also have two authorized warranty repair centers for Miller, Hobart, Hypertherm, and Esab, and can also service and repair many other top-name manufacturers welding equipment.

Equipment repair times can vary based on the specific issue and part availability. However, our local service centers strive to provide a diagnosis and estimated completion time within 24–48 hours of receiving your equipment. We prioritize critical repairs to minimize your operational downtime.

We are committed to education and offer a Demo Lab and Training facility. Our industry experts provide training on product applications and processes, ensuring your team is proficient in using the equipment to maximize productivity.

You can use the “Ask Our Experts!” feature on this website to submit any technical questions you have about products, gases, applications, or processes. You can also contact any of our local branch service teams directly.

While specific details vary by product, we manage returns and warranty issues through our local branch locations. For equipment, we honor manufacturer warranties and handle repairs in-house.

We encourage customers to contact their local Gendco service center with their invoice number to initiate a return or warranty claim. It is important for buyers to register products they have purchased to receive full warranty benefits.

Locations & Ordering

General Distributing Company provides local service across Montana with multiple branch locations. Our main stores are located in Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Butte, and Glendive. Our network of Authorized Resellers extends our service reach into surrounding communities.

Our local branch locations typically operate Monday through Friday. Standard business hours are 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM (local time) at all main locations, but it is best to confirm hours with your specific branch.

Registered e-commerce users can easily manage and pay outstanding invoices through our online account portal by using the Pay Invoice link available after logging into the e-commerce shop website.

Scheduled Gas Supply & Delivery Options

General Distributing offers multiple solutions for guaranteed supply, including setting up scheduled deliveries and implementing our telemetry systems for bulk gas users. This technology allows us to remotely monitor your tank levels and automatically dispatch a refill before you reach a critical threshold, ensuring zero downtime.

Yes, our Portable Bulk Gas Trailer rental service is designed to provide large volumes of gas directly to remote sites, construction projects, or temporary operations where installing permanent tanks is not feasible. This service reduces cylinder handling and logistics costs.

We understand that industrial and medical needs don't follow our 7:30-to-5 schedule. While standard deliveries occur during business hours (M–F, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM), registered commercial accounts can contact their local branch for emergency or after-hours delivery options for critical gas supply.

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