Air Liquide finalizes the acquisition of Scott Specialty Gases

Air Liquide America Specialty Gases LLC, a 100% Air Liquide affiliate, has finalized the purchase of the assets of Scott Specialty Gases, Inc., a leading privately held international producer and supplier of mixed and pure specialty gases to the analytical, medical and electronics sectors, and of high-performance gas handling equipment and specialty gas delivery systems.

In the U.S., the newly established entity is headquartered in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania. The acquisition will add 450 Scott Specialty Gases employees to Air Liquide’s current workforce of 3,800 employees in the U.S. 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, North Central and Pacific regions of the U.S.

Internationally, Scott develops business from the UK and the Netherlands, to Europe, India, Africa the Middle East and from the U.S. to Taiwan. Air Liquide has also integrated Scott’s European operations into Air Liquide UK Limited, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK and Scott Specialty Gases Netherlands, BV, in Breda, NL.

American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. is the Air Liquide subsidiary responsible for North American operations. In the U.S., with 3,800 employees in more than 200 locations, it offers industrial gases and related services to a variety of customers in the large industry, industrial merchant, electronics and healthcare markets.

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).