Air Liquide Agrees to Purchase US Company Scott Specialty Gases


American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., a 100% Air Liquide affiliate, announces an agreement
to purchase the assets of Scott Specialty Gases, Inc., a leading privately held international
producer and supplier of value-added mixed and pure high specialty gases to the analytical,
medical and electronics sectors, and of high-performance gas handling equipment and
specialty gas delivery systems. The transaction is pending clearance from the U.S.
antitrust authorities.

Headquartered in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania, Scott employs approximately 450 people with
annual sales of approximately $88 million. It covers the US national market with operations
centers in the Northeast, Midwest, Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific markets of the
U.S. Internationally, Scott develops business from the UK and the Netherlands to Europe,
India, Africa the Middle East and Taiwan.

The combined Air Liquide and Scott operations in the high growth market for
specialty gases will provide Air Liquide with a new platform for growth and a true
nationwide U.S. presence, notably in the Middle Atlantic and North Central areas. This
acquisition will also reinforce Air Liquide's important business in Europe, Taiwan and the
Middle East.

Pierre Dufour, Executive Vice-President, Air Liquide Group, said: "Scott is a leading
brand in specialty, medical and electronic gases recognized the world over for
quality and service. A natural fit for Air Liquide, Scott will further its strategy of
growing its high value-added specialty gas business."

Fred Merz has owned and led Scott Specialty Gases since 1977. About selling the
company to Air Liquide, he said: "I am very pleased that Air Liquide is acquiring the
global business and assets of Scott Specialty Gases. This is a terrific strategic fit
for our Scott Team Members, our customers and our operations."

With more than 38,000 employees in 72 countries, Air Liquide is a world leader in industrial and
medical gases and related services. The Group offers innovative solutions based on constantly
enhanced technologies and produces air gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases...) and many
other gases including hydrogen. The Group contributes to the manufacturing of many everyday
products: bubbles in sparkling beverages, protective atmosphere for packed foods, oxygen for hospitals
and homecare patients, ultra-pure gases for the semiconductor industry, hydrogen to desulfurize fuels...

Air Liquide is committed to sustainable development and helps to protect life. Founded in 1902, Air
Liquide has successfully developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders built on trust and
transparency and guided by the principles of corporate governance. Since the publication of its first
consolidated financial statements in 1971, Air Liquide has posted strong and steady earnings growth.
Sales in 2006 totaled 10,949 million euros, with sales outside France accounting for almost 80%. Air
Liquide is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices
(ISIN code FR 0000120073).

All Topics