Linde signs AWESCO as new platinum distributor

Murray Hill, New Jersey, U.S. - Linde North America has signed AWESCO of Albany, New York, as a new distributor in its Platinum Partner Program.

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company. With its corporate headquarters in Albany and a branch location in Kingston, AWESCO, an independent gases distributor, has been selling industrial, medical and specialty gases in the Capital and Hudson Valley Regions of New York State for 70 years.

Pat Murphy, president, Linde North America, said, “AWESCO has a great history of providing high quality products and services to gases users in the area. The company has developed great relationships with its customers because of its service and commitment to the community it serves. Linde is very excited about this new partnership, which we believe will be beneficial to both companies.”

AWESCO President and CEO J. David Mahoney said, “As the largest, independent supplier of specialty, medical and industrial gases and technologies for New York’s Tech Valley, AWESCO is extremely pleased to partner with Linde so we can continue our long tradition of providing cutting-edge products and services to the region’s leading businesses in the medical, scientific and industrial markets.

“Tech Valley” is so-called because of the high number of technically oriented companies located in this area of New York State – including chemical, pharmaceutical, biomedical and electronic manufacturers, as well as laboratories and universities. Since 1977 Linde has operated an air separation plant in Selkirk, New York, producing and supplying oxygen, nitrogen and argon to these customers.

“AWESCO and Linde share the core values of excellence in service and commitment to the community that have been the cornerstones of our mutual success. As AWESCO continues to expand and grow in the region, the partnership and its resources will offer opportunities to reach new customers as we build upon our reputation as the very best total solution provider in the market,” Mahoney said.

The Linde Platinum Partner Program is designed to create a true partnership between Linde and independent gas and welding distributors. In addition to Linde supplying AWESCO with gas products, the two companies will work together to develop marketing programs and sales leads, as well as jointly visit customers and prospects in the region.

The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with almost 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2008 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.7 billion (USD 15.9 billion). The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards sustainable earnings-based growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services.

Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information about Linde in North America visit http://www.lindeus.com