Airgas Shareholders Support All Air Products Nominees and Proposals at Airgas Annual Meeting
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Sept. 15 - Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced that, based on preliminary estimates, all three of its director nominees were elected to the Board of Directors of Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) at today's Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Based on a preliminary count by Air Products' proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., John P. Clancey, Robert L. Lumpkins and Ted B. Miller, Jr., were all elected to Airgas' board of directors.
Air Products also said that all three of its proposals were approved:
o A proposal amending Airgas' By-Laws to limit the Airgas Board's ability to re-seat directors not elected by Airgas shareholders (excluding the Chief Executive Officer)
o A proposal requiring future Airgas annual shareholder meetings, including for 2011, to be held in January
o A proposal repealing all By-Law amendments adopted by the Airgas Board after April 7, 2010
John E. McGlade, Air Products' chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "Airgas shareholders have provided a clear mandate to negotiate a transaction, and we appreciate their support. We stand ready to negotiate immediately, and call on the Airgas Board to respect the will of its shareholders. Further delay serves no purpose."
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit: www.airproducts.com.
Source: Air Products
CONTACT: Media Inquiries, Betsy Klebe, Air Products, +1-610-481-4697, klebeel@airproducts.com, or George Sard, +1-212-687-8080, gsard@sardverb.com, or David Reno, +1-212-687-8080, dreno@sardverb.com, both of Sard Verbinnen & Co; Investor Inquiries, Nelson Squires, Air Products, +1-610-481-7461, squirenj@airproducts.com, or Dan Burch, +1-516-429-2721, dburch@mackenziepartners.com, Larry Dennedy, +1-917-658-2478, ldennedy@mackenziepartners.com, or Charlie Koons, +1-917-545-4523, ckoons@mackenziepartners.com, all of MacKenzie Partners
Web Site: www.airproducts.com/
