Company Update

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): July 31, 2017 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) 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): ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). ☐ Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Item 8.01 Other Events. On July 31, 2017, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) completed the previously announced transaction to acquire Air Liquide Welding (“Air Liquide Welding”), a subsidiary of Air Liquide. Under the terms of the agreement, the purchase price was €115 million (approximately USD$134 million), including the assumption of certain debt obligations. The Company funded the transaction with available cash on hand. A copy of the press release issued by the Company related to the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits 99.1 The Company’s press release dated July 31, 2017 announcing the Company’s acquisition of Air Liquide Welding. SIGNATURES 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. Date: July 31, 2017 By: /s/ Jennifer I. Ansberry Jennifer I. Ansberry, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC. INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Exhibit 99.1 The Company’s press release dated July 31, 2017 announcing the acquisition of Air Liquide Welding.