My name is Matthew Giaquinto, and I am the owner of Imperial Oxygen LLC. My journey into the gas business started long ago when I was in my young 20’s. I developed a passion for art, specifically working with glass. Glass art requires a torch that consumes oxygen and propane to melt the glass. It was when I became extremely frustrated with my gas supplier that started a spark within that led me down a road I never imagined. The road to Imperial Oxygen LLC started when I kept repeating to myself, ” there has to be a better way”. Growing more and more frustrated than each of the time before, I was fed up with half empty bottles, leaking valves, and those insane rental fees that never stop going up and up and up. A common occurrence would be they would promise me that they would hold on to a 300cf oxygen tank for me for $55 but when I showed up, they claim they gave it to some other guy right before I got there. Only to offer me a 125cf for $50 which is 2.4 less gas for a $5 difference. After too many headaches I started researching how to make and bottle my own oxygen. This led to the discovery of zeolite which brought me down a whole new rabbit hole. My goal was to just flip a switch and make my own oxygen on demand, so I never have to rent another heavy cylinder again. Or have to deal with running out on the weekend leaving me empty handed until Monday at 8A.M.
After researching oxygen concentrators, I started becoming obsessed with compressing gas shortly thereafter so I can store it in my own cylinders. Not before long I started researching compressor patents only to realize Ingersoll-Rand owns over 40 compressor companies and owns basically all of the patents. This didn’t discourage me it only threw more fuel on the fire. After 3 failed attempts of trying to patent an oxygen booster/ air compressor I ran out of funding and lost my patent/trademark but still have an amazing product to sell.
Part of my goal was to not only become independent from the gas monopoly but also relieve others of their burden as well. If I could get my wall mounted oxygen generator on every wall in every auto shop, manufacturer, etc. I would also be helping a ton of mom and pops, save a ton of money and frustration as well.
After picking up the pieces from the failed attempt at the patent I started selling all types of gas not just oxygen. Plain and simple selling just oxygen isn’t enough to pay the bills so I started selling other types of gas as well. It only made sense since the gas cylinders I was already ordering were not just for oxygen but all other types of gas as well.
In addition to that, in order to keep customers happy, I had to provide them with all the other accessories they needed as well. Which essentially led to me operating a full/complete welding supply shop. I am now in the process of creating a nation wide franchise made up of 100’s of independent reseller to fight the evil gas monopoly.