Industry News

Cylinder recall launched
Norris Cylinder Company (www.norriscylinder.com) issued a mandatory recall on Feb. 28 for A75- A420 size acetylene cylinders that it manufactured in January 2007 and early February 2007.

The company said its recall does not affect “B” and “MC” style acetylene cylinders.

The recall was launched after testing conducted by the company showed indications that the possibility of the porous mass in some of the cylinders may settle beyond the acceptable limits as defined by the US Department of Transportation and Transport Canada.

The company said no accident or incidents were reported with the use of these cylinders, but that it was launching the recall as a precautionary measure.

Norris Cylinders also said the cylinders in question are to be removed from service immediately.

For further information on the recall, contact Fred Grindle at 1-800-527-8418 ext 644, or go to the company’s Internet site.

Airgas continues acquisitions
Airgas Inc. (www.airgas.com) has acquired Merriam- Graves Corp., an independent distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases and related supplies that operates in 25 locations in New England and New York.

The acquired business generated $47 million in revenues in 2007, Airgas said in a prepared statement.

The deal was effective Feb. 1, and Merriam- Graves’ operations were integrated into Airgas East, one of the regional companies within Airgas.

The acquired operations include the company’s headquarters, an industrial fill plant, a specialty gas laboratory, and a central hardgoods warehouse in Charlestown, N.H., six other locations in New Hampshire, six locations in Vermont, five locations in Massachusetts, five locations in Connecticut, and two locations in New York.

On Jan. 1, Airgas completed the acquisition of the assets and operations of Pima Welding Supply Inc., an industrial gas and welding supply distributor in Tucson, Ariz.

That business was integrated into Airgas West, another of the regional companies within Airgas.

Airgas said Pima had annual sales of nearly $5 million in the 12 months ended June 30, 2007.

Airgas also completed on Dec. 31 its acquisition of the assets and operations of Pacific Diazo Products, Inc., a Colton, Calif.-based distributor of aqua ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, and related products and services. Those operations were integrated into Airgas Specialty Products, a national distributor of industrial ammonia products and services, various process chemicals, and refrigerants.

Pacific Diazo had more than $9 million in sales in calendar 2006. The acquired operations include a production and distribution facility in nearby Fontana, Calif., and two distribution locations in southern California and Arizona.

FIBA celebrates 50 years
FIBA (www.fibatech.com) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The company was started by Frank Finn, Sr. in 1958 to distribute medical supplies to hospitals, and has evolved to become a distributor of gas distribution and storage equipment with more than 250 employees, and four plants nationwide.

FIBA serves industrial and specialty gas and chemical companies that use intermodal, high-pressure gas and cryogenic products globally.

Air Products joint venture wins contract
A joint venture between the Abdullah Hashim Group of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Air Products (www.airproducts.com) will build two new air separations units (ASUs) for Shadeed Iron & Steel’s production plant in the Sohar Industrial Port of Oman.

Air Products said the air separation units will supply oxygen and nitrogen for iron and steel production at the Shadeed Iron & Steel. The air separation units will be designed and engineered by Air Products in the United Kingdom, and are to be put into production in August.