A global maker of welding and cutting equipment, consumables, gas control systems, and robotics, ESAB supplies the tools that hold ships, buildings, and machinery together for customers in roughly 150 countries. Founded in 1904 in Gothenburg, Sweden, by ship engineer Oscar Kjellberg—who invented the world's first coated welding electrode—the name is short for Elektriska Svetsnings-Aktiebolaget, literally "Electric Welding Limited Company." After decades under other owners, it became its own publicly traded company in 2022.
ESAB appoints Mitchell P. Rales as Executive Chair and grants performance options to leadership
The Board granted performance-based stock option awards to Rales, CEO Shyam P. Kambeyanda, and other senior executives, with an exercise price of $82.92 per share.
Show detailsHide details
On June 10, 2026, ESAB Corporation appointed Mitchell P. Rales as Executive Chair of the Board, effective immediately.
The awards vest based on service and stock price hurdles of $140, $170, and $200 per share over a performance period from the second to sixth anniversary of the grant date.
Rales received 1,200,000 shares subject to his award; Kambeyanda received 580,552; other executives received smaller amounts.
Rhonda Jordan was appointed Lead Independent Director, effective June 10, 2026.
The awards are intended to retain leadership and incentivize long-term growth, including the integration of the Eddyfi acquisition.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
ESAB completes $1.45B acquisition of Eddyfi Technologies
ESAB Corporation completed its acquisition of Eddyfi Holding Inc. and related entities on June 1, 2026.
Show detailsHide details
The purchase price was $1.45 billion in cash, subject to customary adjustments for cash, debt, transaction expenses, and net working capital.
The acquisition was financed with cash on hand, proceeds from 5.625% senior notes due 2031, and private placements of Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock and common stock.
ESAB also completed private placements of 175,000 preferred shares (gross proceeds ~$175.0 million) and 1,254,255 common shares (gross proceeds ~$143.0 million).
ESAB expects to file financial statements and pro forma information for Eddyfi by amendment within 71 days.
2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets · 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities · 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders · 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year · 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure · 8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
ESAB appoints R. Brent Jones as CFO, effective early May 2026
R. Brent Jones, age 56, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective early May 2026, succeeding Kevin Johnson.
Show detailsHide details
Kevin Johnson resigned as CFO to pursue a CFO opportunity at a privately held company; his last day is expected on or about March 31, 2026.
Renato Negro, Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, is resigning to pursue another opportunity; his last day is expected on or about April 3, 2026.
Julie Han has been appointed Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, effective April 1, 2026.
Mr. Jones will receive an annual base salary of $660,000, a target bonus of 80% of base salary, a transition bonus of $1,000,000, and an RSU grant with a target value of $3,000,000.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements · 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
ESAB issues $1.0B 5.625% senior notes due 2031 to fund Eddyfi Technologies acquisition
ESAB Corporation issued $1,000 million aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2031 under an indenture dated March 26, 2026.
Show detailsHide details
The notes are senior unsecured obligations guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries, with interest payable semi-annually starting October 1, 2026.
Proceeds, along with preferred stock, common stock, and revolving credit facility borrowings, will fund the $1.45 billion acquisition of Eddyfi Technologies.
The notes are subject to special mandatory redemption at 100% of principal plus accrued interest if the acquisition is not completed by the outside date or the share purchase agreement is terminated.
The indenture includes covenants restricting additional debt, liens, guarantees, and asset sales, and includes customary events of default.
1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement · 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits