Air Liquide purchases Scott Specialty Gases

American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., a 100% Air Liquide affiliate, announces an agreement to purchase the assets of Scott Specialty Gases, Inc., a leading privately held international producer and supplier of value-added mixed and pure high specialty gases to the analytical, medical and electronics sectors, and of high-performance gas handling equipment and specialty gas delivery systems. The transaction is pending clearance from the U.S. antitrust authorities.

Headquartered in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania, Scott employs approximately 450 people with annual sales of approximately $88 million. It covers the US national market with operations centers in the Northeast, Midwest, Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain, and Pacific markets of the U.S. Internationally, Scott develops business from the UK and the Netherlands to Europe, India, Africa the Middle East and Taiwan.

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 and North Central areas. This acquisition will also reinforce Air Liquide’s important business in Europe, Taiwan and the Middle East.

Pierre Dufour, Executive Vice-President, Air Liquide Group, said: “Scott is a leading brand in specialty, medical and electronic gases recognized the world over for quality and service. A natural fit for Air Liquide, Scott will further its strategy of growing its high value-added specialty gas business.”

Fred Merz has owned and led Scott Specialty Gases since 1977. About selling the company to Air Liquide, he said: “I am very pleased that Air Liquide is acquiring the global business and assets of Scott Specialty Gases. This is a terrific strategic fit for our Scott Team Members, our customers and our operations.”