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Praxair Sell Advanced Components Business February 2, 2012 – Praxair, Inc. has executed a definitive agreement by which Praxair sold its advanced components business to FM Industries, Inc. of Fremont, Praxair Sell Advanced Components Business February 2, 2012 – Praxair, Inc. has executed a definitive agreement by which Praxair sold its advanced components business to FM Industries, Inc. of Fremont, Calif. FM Industries is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NGK Insulators of Japan. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The advanced components business designs, engineers, manufactures, and supplies electrostatic chucks (ESCs) and critical chamber components for semiconductor processing equipment. ESCs are used in etch, chemical vapor deposition, and physical vapor deposition tools, ion implanters and metrology tools. The business also provides high-precision thermal spray coating services of ESCs and chamber components to improve tool performance and reduce the cost of ownership. The business employs approximately 70 people and generated sales of $28 million during 2011. Under the agreement, FM Industries, Inc. acquires operating facilities in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and Phoenix, Ariz.
David Strauss, managing director of Praxair’s electronic materials business, said, "We were pleased to have worked with FMI on this transaction and believe these assets and offerings are a good fit for their business going forward. Praxair remains committed to the electronics market and will continue to actively pursue opportunities in the semiconductor, display, and photovoltaic industries with our gases and materials-science products and services."Full story: www.praxair.com View more Full story: www.praxair.com Air Liquide Acquires Georgia Gulf Co. ASU January 31, 2012 – Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP announced that it has purchased an Air Separation Unit (ASU) from Georgia Gulf Corporation in Air Liquide Acquires Georgia Gulf Co. ASU January 31, 2012 – Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP announced that it has purchased an Air Separation Unit (ASU) from Georgia Gulf Corporation in Plaquemine, LA.
The ASU produces oxygen, nitrogen, and argon and is interconnected via pipeline with Air Liquide’s existing gas production facilities in Plaquemine, which are located within a mile of the newly acquired ASU. The ASU will join an existing system of 13 Air Liquide air separation units and utility production facilities serving more than 30 customers along the Mississippi River via Air Liquide’s pipeline network.
Under agreements that went into effect January 1, 2012, Air Liquide will sell oxygen and nitrogen from the pipeline network to Georgia Gulf’s Plaquemine chemical plant. Gaseous products from the ASU will be fed into Air Liquide’s pipeline network to meet demand growth. Liquid products will be available to serve the growing demands of the local merchant market and increase the reliability of the Mississippi River Pipeline System.Full story: www.airliquide.com View more Full story: www.airliquide.com Improper Requalification of Cylinders Discovered January 30, 2012 – The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently confirmed that Spears Fire & Safety of Ann Arbor, MI improperly requalified Improper Requalification of Cylinders Discovered January 30, 2012 – The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently confirmed that Spears Fire & Safety of Ann Arbor, MI improperly requalified and marked high pressure compressed gas cylinders between November 2008 and October 2011. During this time period Spears requalified and marked with a Requalifier Identification Number (RIN) of B037, approximately 7740 DOT specification cylinders after its authority to requalify high pressure cylinders expired on October 31, 2008. Someof the cylinders requalified in fact should have been condemned. For more information go to the Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 8, Thursday, January 12, 2012/Notices.View more Airgas Reports Strong Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Earnings January 26, 2012 – Airgas, Inc., the largest US distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related supplies, has reported strong performance in sales, Airgas Reports Strong Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Earnings January 26, 2012 – Airgas, Inc., the largest US distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and related supplies, has reported strong performance in sales, operating income, and earnings for its third quarter ended December 31, 2011. Business trends reflect continued volume growth across the company’s customer base with particular strength in large manufacturing, petrochemical, and energy customers.
Among the highlights: Third quarter adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.97, an increase of 21 percent from $0.80 in the prior year; Same-store sales were up 9 percent over the prior year; Return on capital was 12.3 percent, up 100 basis points over prior year; Full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance was updated to $4.03 to $4.07 from $3.97 to $4.07.Full story: www.airgas.com View more Full story: www.airgas.com Air Products Reports Quarterly Earnings January 25, 2012 – Air Products has reported net income of $292 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.36, for its fiscal first Air Products Reports Quarterly Earnings January 25, 2012 – Air Products has reported net income of $292 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.36, for its fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2011, versus $296 million and $1.35 for the first quarter of fiscal 2011.
Among the highlights of the first quarter earnings report: First quarter revenues of $2,423 million increased one percent versus the prior year on higher prices in Merchant Gases and Performance Materials; Air Products is maintaining its guidance for fiscal 2012 of $5.90 to $6.30 per share. The company expects second quarter EPS to be between $1.37 and $1.43 per share; Higher volumes from new plants in Tonnage Gases were offset by lower Equipment sales and lower volumes in Performance Materials and Merchant Gases; The new China project is the largest on-site ASU order; and the company announced its intention to divest its Continental Europe Homecare business.Full story: www.airproducts.com View more Full story: www.airproducts.com Linde Unveils Unique Gas Cylinder January 24, 2012 – In what it calls a major development for the compressed gases industry, Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, introduced Linde Unveils Unique Gas Cylinder January 24, 2012 – In what it calls a major development for the compressed gases industry, Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, introduced GENIE® – a technologically advanced new range of gas cylinders that are unique from traditional steel cylinders. The lightweight, greater volume, and easily portable cylinder design incorporates many new features, including built-in digital intelligence, unique regulators, and a wide range of accessories. It is the first time that a gas cylinder of its type has been introduced to the market. GENIE® will be available in several European countries in 2012. Further international availability will be announced at a later date.Full story: www.linde.com View more Full story: www.linde.com Airgas Names Jay Worley Vice President - Strategic Pricing January 23, 2012 – Airgas, Inc. has named R. Jay Worley Vice President –Strategic Pricing, reporting to Andy Cichocki, Airgas Senior Vice President – Distribution Airgas Names Jay Worley Vice President - Strategic Pricing January 23, 2012 – Airgas, Inc. has named R. Jay Worley Vice President –Strategic Pricing, reporting to Andy Cichocki, Airgas Senior Vice President – Distribution Operations & Business Process Improvement. Worley brings nearly 20 years of industry experience to a new role in which he will be leading a Strategic Pricing organization responsible for developing and implementing pricing practices that are consistent with the Company's overall strategic direction and profitability goals.
"This is a key new role at Airgas, requiring strong leadership qualities and a thorough understanding of our business so we can maximize the potential opportunity afforded by our SAP implementation," said Cichocki.
Worley, who has served as Vice President – Communications and Investor Relations for Airgas, Inc. since 2008, began his career at Airgas in 1993 as Assistant Controller with what is now Airgas Intermountain. Following a variety of roles early in his career, including sales and human resources, he held positions as Chief Financial Officer of Airgas Southwest and Director of Investor Relations of Airgas, Inc. J. Barrett Strzelec, Director of Investor Relations for Airgas, Inc., will assume leadership of the Investor Relations function, reporting to Airgas Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bob McLaughlin. Airgas is currently evaluating communications leadership candidates.Full story: www.airgas.com View more Full story: www.airgas.com Linde Purchases LNG Fleet January 19, 2012 – Linde is deepening its commitment to the liquefied natural gas fueling market with the purchase of 20 LNG-fueled trucks, expected to Linde Purchases LNG Fleet January 19, 2012 – Linde is deepening its commitment to the liquefied natural gas fueling market with the purchase of 20 LNG-fueled trucks, expected to be operating later this year. The trucks will account for 20 percent of Linde’s 2012 tractor purchases and will be integrated into Linde’s fleet of 700-plus trucks carrying cryogenic gases to customers throughout North America.
LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to liquid form to enable easier transportation and storage. Linde has committed to the merchant LNG market by building plants at various commercial scales to produce LNG from virtually any methane source.
This purchase is an outgrowth of a pilot project in southern California, where Linde tested the effectiveness of three LNG trucks hauling liquid carbon dioxide to customers throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area. That project helped Linde save money on fuel, reduced Linde’s carbon footprint, and lessened its dependence on foreign oil. The success of the pilot project now allows Linde to move to commercial utilization of the LNG trucks.
Since the LNG-fueled tractors are lighter in weight than the diesel-fueled trucks they are replacing, Linde will be able to increase payloads and therefore improve service to customers.Full story: www.lindeus.com View more Full story: www.lindeus.com Proposed JV Promises Cleaner Profits January 19, 2012 – To meet increasing industry demand for cleaning gases in the electronics industry, Air Liquide is proposing to supply fluorine cleaning gas Proposed JV Promises Cleaner Profits January 19, 2012 – To meet increasing industry demand for cleaning gases in the electronics industry, Air Liquide is proposing to supply fluorine cleaning gas solutions as an alternative to existing cleaning gases. Starting in 2012, flat panel display and silicon thin film photovoltaic manufacturing sites will have access to this environmentally-friendly gas. Fluorine will become an alternative to nitrogen trifluoride gas (NF3 a commonly used cleaning application in this industry. It will be produced directly by large on-site facilities, offering a cost effective and reliable approach to cleaning applications.
Air Liquide and the Solvay Group will form a joint venture that will build, own, and operat the next generation of on-site fluorine solutions. Air Liquide will contribute its global presence, infrastructure, and existing gas supply relationships with leading manufacturers to the joint venture, while Solvay will contribute 45 years of experience running large-scale fluorine production and raw material supply chains. The joint venture is subject to antitrust authority approval.Full story: www.airliquide.com View more Full story: www.airliquide.com Praxair Makes Third Acquisition in Texas January 10, 2012 – Praxair Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., has acquired Welders Industrial Supply, LLC (WIS) of Pasadena, Texas. WIS, founded in Praxair Makes Third Acquisition in Texas January 10, 2012 – Praxair Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., has acquired Welders Industrial Supply, LLC (WIS) of Pasadena, Texas. WIS, founded in 2009 by Ernest W. "Cotton" Speed III, is an independent distributor of industrial and specialty gases, welding equipment, supplies, and related services to customers in the greater Houston, Texas, area. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The WIS acquisition follows Praxair Distribution's acquisition of Houston-based independent distributors Texas Welders Supply Company and National Alloy in December and August 2011, respectively. Houston is among the top five welding markets in the US.
WIS operates from a newly constructed retail and cylinder filling plant facility in Pasadena, Texas. The company has approximately $4 million in annual revenue and 10 employees.Full story: www.praxair.com View more Full story: www.praxair.com Linde to Acquire Air Products' Continental-European Homecare Business January 9, 2012 – The technology company The Linde Group has signed an agreement to acquire Air Products’ Continental-European homecare business at an enterprise value Linde to Acquire Air Products' Continental-European Homecare Business January 9, 2012 – The technology company The Linde Group has signed an agreement to acquire Air Products’ Continental-European homecare business at an enterprise value of EUR 590 MM. This business achieved annual sales of EUR 210 MM in 2011. The transaction comprises Air Products' homecare operations in Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, and Spain with around 850 employees.
Homecare refers to medical services that treatm patients in settings other than hospitals. It comprises respiratory services such as oxygen therapy, sleep therapy, and ventilation services. In the 2010 financial year, Linde achieved global sales of around EUR 280 MM in this product area. In the Healthcare segment as a whole, which comprises not only Homecare but also Hospital Care (the supply of medical gases and services to hospitals), Linde achieved sales in the 2010 financial year of EUR 1.1 B. Linde is the second largest supplier of medical gases and related services in the world.Full story: www.linde.com View more Full story: www.linde.com Praxair Agrees to Acquire Texas Welders Supply Company December 29, 2011 – Praxair Distribution, Inc. (PDI), a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., announced it has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Houston, Texas based Praxair Agrees to Acquire Texas Welders Supply Company December 29, 2011 – Praxair Distribution, Inc. (PDI), a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., announced it has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Houston, Texas based Texas Welders Supply Company (TWSCO). The companies expect to close the transaction by December 31, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
TWSCO, a long-time distributor of Praxair, is the largest independent gas and welding products distributor in the greater Houston area with projected 2011 sales of $56 million and 130 employees. TWSCO operates from four locations, including a state-of-the-art cylinder filling plant and specialty gas laboratory located in north Houston. The company was formed in 1983 and is majority-owned and controlled by the founding Chenoweth family.Full story: www.praxair.com View more Full story: www.praxair.com Air Products Raises North America Prices for Liquid and Bulk Helium December 16, 2011 – Effective January 1, 2012, or as contracts permit, Air Products will be implementing a price increase for liquid and bulk helium Air Products Raises North America Prices for Liquid and Bulk Helium December 16, 2011 – Effective January 1, 2012, or as contracts permit, Air Products will be implementing a price increase for liquid and bulk helium gases in North America. Specific adjustments are being communicated directly to customers.
The price increase is the result of continued severe helium shortages globally, affecting the supply needed to meet the world’s growing demand. The industry-wide shortage has made it increasingly difficult to maintain Air Products’ global system for meeting customer requirements, and unfortunately this situation is expected to continue well into the future. Air Products has incurred increased costs to operate in this manner, as its worldwide helium team is managing this difficult situation on a daily basis in order to maintain uninterruptible supply to customers.Full story: www.airproducts.com View more Full story: www.airproducts.com |
