Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, has acquired Dantack Corporation, a Grand Prairie, TX-based safety distributor with branches in Columbus, OH, and Richmond, VA. The business generated more than $18 million in sales in 2006.
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The operations will be managed by Airgas Southwest, one of the Airgas regional companies, as a stand-alone business for the first few months. Later, operations in Ohio and Virginia will transition to other Airgas regions.
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Airgas’ safety distribution business generated $438 million in sales in fiscal 2007 through telesales and field-based safety specialists within its regional companies.
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Dantack’s extensive local coverage throughout Texas, combined with its national accounts program, makes it a great strategic fit for Airgas,” said …
Latest In Gases & Welding Equipment
Air Liquide Electronics continues to expand in Asia -specifically China, Vietnam and Singapore. From the start of 2007, the company has invested 50 million euros (US$68.3 million) in the region.
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In China, Air Liquide has signed a 15-year contract with SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, the largest and most advanced foundry in China) to supply on-site bulk carrier gases to their future Fab in the Wuhan East Lake high tech development zone.
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In Singapore, Singapore Oxygen Air Liquide Pte Ltd will provide another Total Gas and Chemical Management operations, starting September 2007, for the new 300-mm fab of the world first silicon-on-insulator manufacturer Soitec, at Pasir Wafer Fab Park, on the eastern part of the island. SOXAL will …
Industrial gases company Praxair, Inc., Danbury, CT, has agreed to sell its majority interest in Maxima Air Separation Center Ltd., Ramat Gan, Israel, to Discount Investment Corporation Ltd., one of Israel’s largest holding companies, a part of the IDB Group.
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DIC already holds an interest in Maxima.
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Maxima has two air separation plants and had sales of $23 million in 2006. Following the sale, Maxima will continue to serve as a distributor of Praxair’s products in Israel and will continue to have access to certain Praxair technology. Under the agreement, Maxima will be defined as a Praxair technology associate.
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Praxair had 2006 sales of $8.3 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and …
In March 2006, Linde AG announced that The BOC Group had accepted its takeover offer.  ; The question of what the impact of this merger would be on the industry was of particular urgency to the companies’distributors. In the nine months since the acquisition, how have these two companies come together, and what have they done to ease the transition?
Bob Van Kirk, an 18-year BOC veteran who now serves as Linde’s head of key customers and distributors, and Scott Latta, vice president of the U.S. southern region for Linde, spoke with Laura Ferrel, editor of Welding & Gases Today magazine, about how Linde and BOC approached the merger from the perspective of their distributors. They reflected on the challenges, the opportunities for growth, and how one can never …
Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, has acquired Gartech Refrigerant Reclamation Center, Inc., with locations in Garland, TX, and Oklahoma City, OK.
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Airgas Specialty Products, in the distribution of industrial ammonia, process chemicals, and refrigerants, has integrated Gartech’s operations, which generated almost $2 million in revenue in 2006.
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Airgas, Inc. is a distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. It has more than 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers in the …
Global industrial gases company Air Liquide has increased its presence in Southeastern Europe by creating a subsidiary in Serbia.
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Over the past three years, Serbia has been one of Europe’s fastest growing economies with an average annual GDP growth of 7.3%. It is the most industrialized country in ex-Yugoslavia. Its major growth drivers are telecommunications, construction and transport, with a recent upswing of industrial production. Its strategic position allows good access to transportation corridors between Western and South-Eastern Europe and Turkey.
The move is part of Air Liquide’s goal to establish a stronger presence in the region. Since the end of last year, Air Liquide has operated an Air Separation Unit in Romania and is supplying cylinder and …
Valley National Gases Inc., Washington, PA, has acquired Mitchell Industrial Supply Inc, an industrial gases and welding supply distributor in Elkhart, IN. Mitchell serves customers throughout Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.
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Valley National Gases is a packager and distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding equipment and supplies, propane and fire protection equipment. Valley National Gases operates 75 locations in 14 states, with eight production and distribution centers in the eastern …
Praxair, Inc., Danbury, CT, reported sales in the second quarter 2007 increased to $2.3 billion, 12% above the same period a year ago. Sales growth was led by significant new business coming on-stream in the energy sector and new business in Asia and South America.
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Profit was up 18% to $291 million.
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In North America, second-quarter sales reached $1.3 billion, 12% above the prior-year quarter. Sales growth came primarily from higher sales to energy and general manufacturing markets, followed by electronics, healthcare and food and beverage.
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In Europe, sales in the quarter of $336 million grew 14%, and increased 6% excluding currency effects, as compared to the prior year. Underlying sales growth was broad-based across Europe and most major end …
Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, welding, safety, and related products, reported sales increased 18% in its first quarter ended June 30, 2007. Sales were $915 million. Profit was up 34%.
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Acquisitions accounted for 11% of the first-quarter sales growth. Same-store sales increased 7%, with hardgoods up 6% and rent up 8%.
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We had an outstanding quarter. We continue to see good growth in non-residential construction and energy markets, and our strategic products are also performing well,” said Airgas CEO Peter …
Praxair Distribution, Inc., Danbury, CT, a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., has acquired Wilson Welding & Medical Gases, Warren, MI. Wilson is a distributor of industrial, medical, specialty gases and related equipment and supplies.
Wilson operates a cylinder filling plant and retail store in Warren, retail stores in Macomb and Pontiac, and a beverage CO2 business in Flint, MI. The business generated sales of $20 million in 2006 and has 72 employees.
The addition of Wilson to our existing network in Southeastern Michigan further strengthens Praxair’s ability to serve customers throughout the Great Lakes region,” said Praxair Distribution President Wayne Yakich.
Yakich said Praxair looks forward to building on the strong business foundation established by …
Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, has acquired Lehner & Martin, Inc, a Santa Ana, CA-based industrial gas and welding supply distributor with branches in Placentia, Gardena, and Chino, CA. L & M had sales of more than $13 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
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The operations have been integrated into Airgas West, one of the regional companies that make up Airgas’ distribution business.
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The transaction was the fifth acquisition completed since the start of Airgas’ fiscal 2008 on April 1, 2007, with acquired sales now topping $378 million, including the Linde U.S. packaged gas acquisition announced earlier.
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Airgas, Inc. is a U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. …
Praxair Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., Danbury, CT, has acquired Wilson Welding & Medical Gases of Warren, MI. Wilson is a distributor of industrial, medical, specialty gases and related equipment and supplies.
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Wilson operates a cylinder filling plant and retail store in Warren, retail stores in Macomb and Pontiac, and a beverage CO2 business in Flint, Michigan. The business generated sales of $20 million in 2006 and has 72 employees.
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Praxair, Inc. is a global industrial gases with 2006 sales of $8.3 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of …
Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, has acquired the aqua ammonia operations of Continental Nitrogen & Resources in Rosemount, MN, which had more than $2 million in revenues in 2006.
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The business will be integrated into Airgas Specialty Products, a leading national distributor of ammonia products and services, various process chemicals, and refrigerants.   ; Other operations of CNR were not included.
This acquisition is in line with our strategy to expand our aqua ammonia business and capabilities and serve our growing customer base across the U.S.,” said Chuck Broadus, president of Airgas Specialty Products, Duluth, GA.
Airgas Specialty Products has 24 locations nationwide for distribution of anhydrous ammonia and aqua ammonia products and services and …
Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, welding, safety, and related products, reported sales in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2007, were up 14% to $854 million. Acquisitions accounted for 9% of the growth. Same-store sales increased 5%, with hardgoods up 6% and gas and rent up 5%.
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Sales in fiscal 2007 increased 13% to $3.2 billion, with same-store sales growth of 8%.
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We capped the most successful year for acquisitions in our 25-year history. The quarter included the acquisition of CFC Refimax in January and the March 9 acquisition of Linde’s divested bulk gas business, bringing our year-end total to 13 acquisitions with more than $335 million in acquired revenue,” said Airgas Chairman and CEO Peter …
Praxair Distribution, Inc., Danbury, CT, has acquired Rite Weld Supply, Inc. of Fort Worth, TX. Rite Weld is a regional independent distributor of industrial, medical, specialty gases and related welding equipment and supplies.
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Rite Weld operates cylinder filling plants in Gainesville and Fort Worth, TX, and three retail stores in Denton and Bridgeport, TX, and Madill, OK. The business generated sales of $14 million in 2006 and has 48 employees.
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The acquisition of Rite Weld to our existing network in North Central Texas further strengthens Praxair’s ability to serve customers throughout this important region,” said Praxair Distribution President Wayne Yakich.
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Praxair, Inc. is an industrial gases company with 2006 sales of $8.3 …
Praxair, Inc., Danbury, CT, reported sales in the first quarter 2007 rose 8% from the prior-year quarter, excluding the effect of lower natural gas prices passed through in hydrogen prices. Profit rose 18%.
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Higher overall pricing and volumes across all major end markets contributed to the increase.
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In North America, first-quarter sales reached $1,205 million, 5% above the prior-year quarter excluding the effect of lower natural gas prices passed through in hydrogen prices. Sales growth came primarily from energy and general manufacturing markets, where demand continues to be strong for new gases applications.
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In Europe, sales in the quarter of $330 million grew 23%, and increased 14% excluding currency effects. Underlying sales growth …
Air Liquide, Paris, France, has acquired the engineering firm Lurgi, which is owned by Global Engineering Alliance, based on an equity value of 550 million euros, equivalent to an enterprise value of 200 million euros.
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The acquisition accelerates the growth of the Large Industries World Business Line, strengthening Air Liquide’s position in hydrogen markets and providing access to Coal to Lquid and Coal to Chemicals sectors.
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With nearly 1,300 employees and total sales of around 850 million euros in 2006, Lurgi, a German-based company, produces hydrogen and synthesis gas to biofuel production processes. Lurgi’s main engineering centers are situated in Germany, Poland, United States, India and South Africa.
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Air Liquide has five Engineering …
Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA,   ; has agreed to buy a significant part of the U.S. packaged gas business of Linde AG for $310 million in cash.
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The operations to be acquired include branches, warehouses, packaged gas fill plants, and other operations involved in distributing packaged industrial and specialty gases and related equipment. The business includes 130 locations in 18 states, with more than 1,400 employees, which generated $346 million in revenues and $36 million in EBITDA in the year ended Dec. 31, 2006.  ; About 50% of the revenues were from gas sales and cylinder rent, with the remainder from sales of welding equipment and supplies.
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The proposed acquisition would be positive for customers, associates, and shareholders,” said Airgas Chairman …
Higher electricity and energy prices, as well as metals prices, have led Airgas, Inc., Radnor, PA, to increase prices on packaged and bulk gases, and other products.
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We are facing rising costs, even though the escalation of the past year has moderated, said Airgas Chairman and CEO Peter McCausland.
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Prices will increase, on average:
10%-15% for packaged and bulk industrial gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and argon; acetylene and other fuel gases; specialty gases; process chemicals and rare gases; medical gases; nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and dry ice;
15%-25% for helium
Effective immediately, Airgas also will raise rental rates for cylinders and bulk tanks …
Praxair Inc., Danbury, CT, has agreed to buy The Linde Group’s industrial and medical gases business in Mexico. Linde’s Mexican business operates under the name of AGA S.A. de C.V. The transaction excludes the Mexican assets of the BOC Group, which Linde acquired as part of its acquisition of BOC.
The sale of Linde’s Mexican business is part of a mutual agreement between Praxair and Linde under which Linde acquired the Turkey-based industrial gases producer Karbogaz A. S. in July 2006. Karbogaz was formerly a joint venture company between Praxair and Ismail Aytemiz of Istanbul, Turkey.
AGA S.A. de C.V. has sales of about $75 million in fiscal 2006.
The acquisition of AGA S.A. de C.V. will increase our presence in the metropolitan area of Mexico City and place …
