03.05.2012
Airgas posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, hiked its dividend 25%, and named a new chief executive so its founder can focus more on growth projects, all bullish signs of rising demand for industrial gas.
more01.11.2011
Praxair, the largest industrial gas supplier in North America, reported a slightly higher-than-expected quarterly profit on strong sales to manufacturers and chemical producers.
The company, though, issued a fourth-quarter forecast below the average Wall Street forecast, citing an expected dent from foreign currency conversion.
more05.09.2011
Airgas announced that it has appointed Jim McCarthy as its vice president - safety and compliance. McCarthy brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new role, which includes leadership of Safecor, the Airgas organization responsible for developing and implementing the company's safety, compliance, environmental, and risk management practices.
more22.08.2011
Airgas announced that it has appointed Chuck Broadus as its president of Airgas South, reporting to Mike Rohde, South Division president. Broadus succeeds Jay Sullivan, who was recently appointed as South Division vice president and chief financial officer.
more28.07.2011
Airgas, the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, on Thursday, reported net earnings of $74.8 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, for its first quarter ended June 30, higher than net income of $64.80 million, or $0.76 per share, reported for the same period last year.
more16.02.2011
Air Products & Chemicals Inc ended its year-long battle for Airgas Inc after a Delaware judge upheld Airgas's use of a "poison pill" defense against a $5.9 billion hostile bid by Air Products. The judge's ruling blocked Air Products from buying its rival for $70 a share. Air Products spent a year pursuing the deal, which would have transformed it into the dominant North America supplier of industrial gases, used in hospitals, factories and by welders.
more26.01.2011
Air Products took its year-long, $5.9 billion fight for Airgas back to court on Tuesday in a case that could shape the way big hostile takeovers are carried out.
Air Products wants a Delaware judge to sweep away Airgas' legal defenses and allow it to buy the company for $70 per share. A takeover would transform Air Products into a dominant North American supplier of industrial gases, which are used in hospitals, factories and by welders.
more23.12.2010
Airgas has rejected yet another takeover offer from rival industrial gas producer Air Products, saying a sweetened $5.9 billion bid is just not enough.
Air Products stood firm, though, reiterating on Wednesday that its $70-per-share cash offer is "best and final."
The news sent Airgas shares down 2.8 percent to $61.44, and analysts said arbitrage investors were selling their positions in the belief that a deal was unlikely in the short term.
more14.12.2010
Three Airgas directors threatened to sue the company if they were not allowed to retain their own financial adviser to help them consider a takeover offer by Air Products & Chemicals, according to a letter made public on Monday.
The development further highlights cracks in the Airgas board as the industrial gas supplier tries to fend off a $5.9 billion takeover offer.
The Airgas directors, who were backed by Air Products in their bid to join the board earlier this year, believe their views have been misrepresented by the company they help run.
more09.12.2010
Air Products & Chemicals made its "best and final" offer on Thursday for rival industrial gas supplier Airgas, bumping the price by 7% to $5.9 billion, but the shares fell as investors bet it still was not enough to clinch a deal.
Air Products, seeking to put an end to a year-long takeover battle, offered $70 a share. That still falls below the $78 a share, or $6.5 billion value, that Airgas previously said it was worth.
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