Air Liquide acquires Chicago area medical and specialty gas business

The acquisition was made on August 31, 2007 by Air Liquide Healthcare America Corporation, which had previously enjoyed a long and successful business relationship with Team One in the greater Chicago area.

Air Liquide Healthcare America will own and operate the medical and specialty gas facility to support its strong growth initiatives in the Midwest medical gas market. Said Guy Rowland, chief operating officer, “We are very pleased to welcome Team One’s experienced and dedicated professionals and to add this state-of-the-art facility to our production base."

The newly acquired facility will also supply Air Liquide’s non-medical packaged and specialty gas business, with an additional geographic base for direct and distributor sales. Commented Kim Denney, president of Air Liquide America L.P., “We look forward to increasing our presence in the Chicago area, expanding our existing customer relationships and attracting new business.”

The agreement to acquire Team One includes the employment by Air Liquide of Team One’s former proprietor, Peter Kenny. As Air Liquide’s new direct packaged gas sales representative for the region, Kenny’s expertise and solid client relationships will help to further grow Air Liquide America’s position in the region.

The acquisition strengthens Air Liquide Healthcare America’s position as a major supplier in the greater Chicago area, a region that represents approximately six percent of the overall U.S. medical gases market. In addition to the Romeoville, Ill. facility, Air Liquide also supports its medical and non-medical businesses in this region with bulk products from facilities in Burlington, Wis. and Mapleton, Ill. Air Liquide supplies bulk and cylinder medical gases and related services to more than 3,000 hospitals, surgery centers, clinics and physicians throughout the U.S.

With nearly 37,000 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).

Air Liquide America Healthcare Corporation is the subsidiary of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. responsible for its medical gas and healthcare related business in the U.S.

Air Liquide America L.P. is the subsidiary of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. responsible for its packaged gas and distributor business in the U.S.

American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. is the subsidiary of Air Liquide Group responsible for its North American operations. Through its subsidiary businesses, it offers industrial gases and related services to a variety of customers including those in large industry, industrial manufacturing, electronics, specialty and healthcare marketplaces.

For further information, please contact:
Air Liquide USA LLC Corporate Communications
Diane Labelle: 713-624-8082
Michael Rosen: 713-624-8023