8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 27, 2010

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

0-1402
(Commission File Number)

Ohio	34-1860551
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

22801 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44117

(Address of principal executive offices, with zip code)

(216) 481-8100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01	Other Events.
	On October 27, 2010, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Mezhgosmetiz-Mtsensk OAO (“MGM”), a privately-held welding wire manufacturer based in the Orel region of Russia. A copy of the Company’s press release issued on October 27, 2010 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. The press release is also available through the Company’s website at www.lincolnelectric.com. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Exhibit, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
Item 9.01	Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits 99.1 The Company’s press release dated October 27, 2010.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

/s/ Vincent K. Petrella

Vincent K. Petrella

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer

(principal financial and accounting officer)

October 27, 2010

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	The Company’s press release dated October 27, 2010.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Media Contact:  Roy L. Morrow (216) 383-4893

Roy_Morrow@lincolnelectric.com

Investors Contact:  Earl L. Ward (216) 383-5067

Earl_Ward@lincolnelectric.com

Lincoln Electric to Acquire Russian Welding Consumables Manufacturer

CLEVELAND, Ohio, U.S.A., October 27, 2010 -- Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LECO) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Mezhgosmetiz-Mtsensk OAO (“MGM”), a privately-held welding wire manufacturer based in the Orel region of Russia.  The acquisition will provide Lincoln its first manufacturing operation in Russia as well as established distribution channels to serve the growing Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) welding markets.  Terms were not disclosed.  The acquisition has been approved by the Russian Federation regulatory agencies and is expected to close October 29, 2010.

MGM has annual sales of approximately $30 million and employs over 200 people.

“Lincoln already has solid brand recognition and market presence in Russia through imports of our high technology welding products for the energy and infrastructure segments,” said John M. Stropki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “MGM, with its broad line of premium quality solid wire and stick electrode product offerings, combined with an extensive distribution network, will complement our imported products offering and significantly expand our commercial presence in the region.

“We have been impressed with the professionalism and skill of the company’s people, as well as its strong R&D capability, and we believe MGM will be an excellent contributor to Lincoln’s strategic growth.”

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 37 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 18 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries.  For more information about Lincoln Electric, its products and services, visit the Company’s Web site at http://www.lincolnelectric.com.

-more-

Lincoln Electric to Acquire Russian Welding Consumables Manufacturer -2-

The Company’s expectations and beliefs concerning the future contained in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements reflect management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ materially from such statements due to a variety of factors that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results both prior and subsequent to closing the above-mentioned transaction.  The factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties arising prior to closing that may impact consummation of the transaction; regulatory clearances; and the success of post-closing integration efforts.

More generally, the Company’s operating results may also vary from forward-looking statements due to the following factors: the effectiveness of operating initiatives; general economic and market conditions; currency exchange and interest rates; adverse outcome of pending or potential litigation; possible acquisitions; market risks and price fluctuations related to the purchase of commodities and energy; global regulatory complexity; and the possible effects of international terrorism and hostilities on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the economy in general.  For additional discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

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