Praxair Inc
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2001 sales of $5.1 billion. Praxair products, services and technology bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, electronics, energy, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others.

Business Summary
Praxair, Inc. is an industrial gases company with operations in North and South America, Asia and Europe. The primary products for its industrial gases business are atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon and rare gases) and process gases (carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases and acetylene). The Company also designs, engineers and builds equipment that produces industrial gases for internal use and external sale. Praxair's surface technology segment, operated through Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc., supplies wear-resistant and high-temperature, corrosion-resistant metallic and ceramic coatings and powders. Praxair serves approximately 25 industries as diverse as healthcare, petroleum refining, computer chip manufacture, beverage carbonation, fiber optics, steel making, aerospace, chemicals and water treatment.

Financial Summary
Praxair, Inc. is a large industrial gases company in North and South America. PX produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, as well as high-performance surface coatings to different industries. For the 6 months ended 6/30/05, revenues increased 20% to $3.75B. Net income increased 19% to $404M. Results reflect increased sales to on-site hydrogen customers, partially offset by decreased margins.