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Airgas Celebrates Grand Opening of New Air Separation Unit in Minooka, IllinoisAirgas, Inc., an Air Liquide company, the leading U.S. supplier of industrial gases, welding technologies, and safety products, today celebrated the grand opening of its new air separation unit (ASU) in Minooka, Illinois with a ribbon cutting ceremony and guided tours of the ASU. The ASU has the capability to produce more than 500 tons per day of oxygen, nitrogen, argon and ultra high purity oxygen, increasing Airgas' production capabilities in the Chicago area. This enhances Airgas' gas supply chain, ensuring long-term reliability of supply for its merchant gas customers in the region. Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin, Illinois State Representative David Welter, Village of Minooka President Patrick Brennan, CEO of the Grundy County Economic Development Council Nancy Norton Ammer, and members of the Grundy County Board joined Airgas and Air Liquide associates, including Michael Graff, Chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., Pascal Vinet, CEO of Airgas, Inc., and customers to celebrate the new facility. Airgas qualified for certain tax credits under Illinois' Economic Development for a Growing Economy program, or EDGE, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The ASU contributes to the economic vitality of the region and strengthens the manufacturing industry within the state. The state-of-the-art ASU is managed by Airgas' Merchant Gases division which oversees Airgas' network of ASUs, procurement and supplier relationships, and the logistics and distribution of bulk atmospheric and other gases. Following the acquisition of Airgas by Air Liquide in May 2016, Airgas is now the leading U.S. supplier of industrial, specialty, and medical gases and provides bulk gas supplies of oxygen, nitrogen and argon through is 29 air separation units nationwide. Pascal Vinet, CEO of Airgas, Inc. commented: "By building a new air separation unit in Minooka, Illinois, we are able to increase our capacity to serve our customers throughout the Midwest, while also investing in the long-term growth opportunities of this important region. Airgas is very proud to be joining the community of Minooka, and we look forward to successful partnerships with the residents, businesses and civic associations of the region for many years to come." Airgas, Inc. Airgas, Inc., an Air Liquide company, is the leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of refrigerants, ammonia products, and process chemicals. Dedicated to improving the performance of its more than 1 million customers, Airgas safely and reliably provides products, services and expertise through its more than 19,000 associates, over 1,100 locations, robust e-Business platform, and Airgas Total Access telesales channel. As an Air Liquide company, the world leader in gases, technology and services for Industry and Health, Airgas offers customers an unrivaled global footprint and industry leading technology and innovations. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com. The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 68,000 employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients*. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide's ambition is to lead its industry, deliver long-term performance and contribute to sustainability. The company's customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders. Air Liquide's revenues amounted to €16.4 billion in 2015, and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. On 23 May 2016, Air Liquide completed its acquisition of Airgas, which had revenues amounting to $5.3 billion (around €4.8 billion) for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2016. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes. * Following the acquisition of Airgas on 23 May 2016 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161101006667/en/ |
