LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air
Products (NYSE: APD) today announced that it has extended the
expiration date of its tender offer for all outstanding common
shares of Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) for $70.00 per share in cash. The offer and
withdrawal rights are now scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight
New York City time on February 4, 2011, unless further extended. The
tender offer was previously scheduled to expire on January 14, 2011.
Except for the extension of the tender offer expiration date,
all other terms and conditions of the offer remain unchanged. As of
the close of business on January 6,
2011, approximately 2,995,370 shares of Airgas common stock
had been validly tendered into and not withdrawn from the
offer.
Airgas' stockholders may obtain copies of all of the offering
documents free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) or by
directing a request to MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the Information
Agent for the offer, at 212-929-5500 or toll-free at 800-322-2885.
Additional information about the transaction, including the
offering documents, is also available at
www.airproducts.com/airgasoffer.
Air Products' financial advisors are J. P. Morgan Securities
Inc. and Perella Weinberg Partners, its legal advisors are Cravath,
Swaine & Moore LLP and Arnold & Porter, and its information
agent is MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy,
technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio
of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance
materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air
Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as
semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare
services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and
adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture,
operational excellence and commitment to safety and the
environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of
$9 billion, operations in over 40
countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
On February 11, 2010, Air Products
Distribution, Inc. ("Purchaser"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Air
Products and Chemicals, Inc. ("Air Products"), commenced a cash
tender offer for all the outstanding shares of common stock of
Airgas, Inc. ("Airgas") not already owned by Air Products, subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase
dated as of February 11, 2010 (the
"Offer to Purchase"). The purchase price to be paid upon the
successful closing of the cash tender offer is $70 per share in cash, without interest and less
any required withholding tax, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Offer to Purchase, as amended. The offer is
scheduled to expire at midnight, New York
City time, on Friday, February 4,
2011, unless further amended in the manner set forth in the
Schedule TO.
This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or
solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The tender offer
is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO
(including the Offer to Purchase, a related letter of transmittal
and other offer materials) filed by Air Products with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 11, 2010. INVESTORS AND SECURITY
HOLDERS OF AIRGAS ARE URGED TO READ THESE
AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR
ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders can obtain
free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the
SEC by Air Products through the web site maintained by the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov. The Offer to Purchase and related materials may
also be obtained for free by contacting the Information Agent for
the tender offer, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at 212-929-5500 or
toll-free at 800-322-2885.
SOURCE Air Products