(Archived) Praxair Distribution Completes 15 Acquisitions in 2008

DANBURY, Conn., January 21, 2009 — Praxair Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), completed 15 acquisitions in 2008 with sales totaling nearly $90 million, including five acquisitions made during the fourth quarter.

“Our acquisition program over the past two years has been very successful and remains an important part of our overall growth strategy,” said George Ristevski, president, Praxair Distribution. “We have acquired 26 companies with sales exceeding $350 million since 2007 and remain committed to acquiring selected, high-quality distribution businesses. We have many active projects in the pipeline that meet our strict return criteria.”

Praxair Distribution, with sales of $1.7 billion, supplies a comprehensive range of industrial, specialty and medical gases and related equipment from 500 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Praxair, Inc. is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2007 sales of $9.4 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair is a recognized leader in the commercialization of new technologies that bring productivity and environmental benefits to a diverse group of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, electronics, energy, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.