Praxair Acquires Hobart Industrial Gases
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DANBURY, Conn., Oct. 16, 2006 - Praxair Distribution Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), has acquired Hobart Industrial Gases of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since 1956, Hobart Industrial Gases has supplied a wide array of packaged industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding equipment, supplies and services to Indiana and Ohio.
"This acquisition provides a great opportunity to integrate the strengths and skills of Hobart with those of Praxair to build an even stronger business serving customers in Indiana and Ohio," said Wayne Yakich, president of Praxair Distribution, Inc. "This will also provide a solid foundation for the growth of our business throughout the region."
Yakich said that in addition to Hobart Industrial Gases, two other recent acquisitions have also expanded Praxair's customers service area in North America. These are A-1 Welding Products, with locations in Dickinson and Bismarck, North Dakota, and S-L Liquid of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada.
"Each of these companies has built excellent relationships in the communities they serve," said Yakich. "We welcome them to Praxair and invite them to help us build on a great foundation."
Praxair Distribution, Inc., its subsidiaries, distributors and approximately 4100 employees, deliver a wide array of industrial and specialty gases, equipment and supplies, technical expertise, and services to thousands of customers in the United States and Canada. With hundreds of locations throughout North America, Praxair provides differentiated product and service offerings that help customers achieve their objectives faster, better and at lower total cost.
Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2005 sales of $7.7 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 industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com
Contacts:
Gary Gillum, Praxair, Inc. Media (203) 837-2702 - gary_gillum@praxair.com
Elizabeth Hirsch, Investors (203) 837-2354 - liz_hirsch@praxair.com
Carmen Martinez
Praxair, Inc.
Corporate Communications
Ph: (203) 837-2026
Fx: (203) 837-2454
