Pro Spot earned its place in the collision repair industry. We know it well — we still offer select refurbished units, and we respect what it's done for shops. But for new equipment, our team's recommendation has shifted to GYS.
Pro Spot built one of the strongest brand reputations in U.S. collision repair. For shops that grew up with the Pro Spot i4 and its successors, it became the default answer to "what spot welder should I buy?" — and for good reason. The equipment worked, the brand invested in the market, and the product earned its reputation.
Lombard Equipment distributed Pro Spot for years and sold a significant volume of their equipment across New England and the Mid-Atlantic. We knew the product. We trained technicians on it. We supported it after the sale.
Over time, we started hearing a consistent pattern from our customers: parts sourcing becoming more difficult, software update timelines that weren't keeping pace with new model procedures, and OEM certification conversations that were getting harder to have. We listened, and we evaluated our options honestly.
That's when we made the switch to GYS — not because of a marketing deal, but because based on our current experience working with collision shops, GYS has become our preferred recommendation for new welding equipment. The OEM-focused product lineup, active development, and the service, installation, and training we provide after the sale make it the stronger fit.
"We don't sell equipment because it's popular — we sell it because it's right for the shop. We sold Pro Spot for a long time. When the calculus changed, we changed too. GYS is what we'd put in our own shop today."
— Lombard EquipmentHere's how the two platforms compare across the factors that matter most to a collision repair shop pursuing OEM certifications and long-term equipment reliability.
| Pro Spot | GYS | |
|---|---|---|
| OEM Approvals | In Lombard's experience, GYS has become the stronger choice for shops focused on current OEM certification requirements Verify Current Status | BMW, Audi, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Volvo, JLR, Ford + 50 more Extensive |
| Software Updates | Based on our field experience, GYS has been the better fit for shops seeking an actively supported platform Our Observation | Regular updates from 90+ dedicated R&D engineers; new OEM procedures added continuously Frequent |
| Parts Availability | Some parts availability challenges reported by customers in our network Customer Reports | Full parts support through Lombard Equipment's service network Strong |
| U.S. Service Support | Support through remaining Pro Spot distributor network | Lombard Equipment certified service technicians — MA & VA offices serving the full Northeast |
| New Equipment | Available through remaining distributors | Full line available through Lombard Equipment with in-shop installation and training |
| Refurbished | Available through Lombard Equipment (i4 480v, Hybrid) We Have It | N/A — all new equipment |
| Financing | Varies by distributor | Available through Lombard Equipment |
| Training & Onboarding | Varies | In-shop training included with every Lombard installation |
| Lombard Recommendation | Refurbished only | Primary recommendation for new equipment Our Pick |
The right GYS system depends on what type of welding your shop needs. GYS makes resistance spot welders, MIG/MAG systems, and drawn arc stud welders — and Lombard's team can match you to the right platform based on your specific workflow. Here's a quick overview of systems shops commonly consider when moving away from Pro Spot.
MIG/MAG pulse generator with integrated wire feeder. Backed by GYS's active software development platform and OEM approval coverage. Good for shops upgrading their MIG/MAG capability.
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Higher-capacity MIG/MAG system suited for high-volume shops and multi-OEM operations. Broad OEM coverage and part of GYS's actively supported platform.
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Drawn arc stud welding for aluminum and steel applications. For shops that need resistance spot welding specifically, Lombard can walk you through the right GYS resistance welder for your volume and OEM requirements.
View Details →Not sure which system fits your shop? Contact our team — we'll ask about your workflow, your OEM certifications, and what you were using Pro Spot for, and give you a straight recommendation.
One of the most important reasons we made the switch: GYS holds more OEM approvals than any other welding system we've distributed — and that list keeps growing. For shops pursuing or maintaining manufacturer certifications, this matters.
Contact our sales team to confirm specific OEM approval requirements for your target certifications.
We get it. Some shops know Pro Spot, trust it, and want to extend the life of their existing investment or add a refurbished unit at a lower price point. We can help with that too.
Lombard Equipment carries refurbished Pro Spot equipment — currently including the i4 480v and Hybrid models. Each unit is inspected by our certified technicians before sale. Inventory changes frequently — contact us for current availability.
Whether you're buying GYS new or refurbished Pro Spot, you're buying from a distributor that has been in the collision repair equipment business for over 30 years — and will be there when you need service, training, or support.
We don't just ship equipment. We deliver it, install it, train your team on it, and support it for the life of the machine. That's the difference between buying from Lombard and buying from a catalog.
Trusted by collision repair professionals across the Northeast for over 30 years.
Common questions from shops researching Pro Spot alternatives and making the switch to GYS.
Pro Spot built a strong reputation in U.S. collision repair and many shops still run them successfully. However, in recent years the brand has faced challenges with parts availability, software support cadence, and OEM approval updates. Lombard Equipment sold Pro Spot for many years and made the decision to transition to GYS based on our customers' experiences and the trajectory of Pro Spot's manufacturer support.
GYS resistance spot welders are the leading alternative to Pro Spot for collision repair shops. GYS holds OEM approvals from BMW, Audi, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, and 50+ other manufacturers, receives regular software updates backed by 90+ dedicated R&D engineers, and is supported through Lombard Equipment's service network across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Lombard Equipment carries certified refurbished Pro Spot equipment — including the i4 480v and Hybrid models — through our pre-owned program. We no longer sell new Pro Spot equipment. For new equipment purchases, we recommend GYS spot welders as the superior long-term investment.
GYS significantly outpaces Pro Spot on OEM certification coverage. GYS holds approvals from BMW, Audi, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Volvo, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, and dozens of others. For shops pursuing or maintaining OEM certifications, GYS is the more defensible and future-proof choice.
The right GYS system depends on your shop's specific welding needs. GYS makes resistance spot welders (the PTI series), MIG/MAG systems (the Autopulse series), and drawn arc stud welders, among others. Rather than a one-to-one swap, we recommend a conversation with our team — we'll evaluate what you were using Pro Spot for and match you to the right GYS platform. Contact Lombard Equipment for a no-pressure recommendation.
157 Mendon St, Bellingham, MA 02019
Serving ME, VT, NH, MA, CT & RI
800-422-PULL
2102 N. Hamilton St, Richmond, VA 23230
Serving MD, DE, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN & KY
833-MIG-WELD
Whether you're upgrading from Pro Spot or starting fresh, Lombard Equipment will help you make the right call. New GYS or refurbished Pro Spot — we'll give you the honest recommendation.