LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
Sept. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Air Products (NYSE: APD) today held a construction
celebration and ceremonial groundbreaking for its new global
headquarters in Pennsylvania's
Lehigh Valley. Over 200 people,
including Air Products colleagues and state and local elected
officials and dignitaries attended the event, where company
Chairman, President and CEO, Seifi
Ghasemi, spoke of the headquarters' importance to Air
Products' future.
"We need a headquarters that represents who we are as a
world-leading company. We want to create modern office and R&D
facilities that are energizing, collaborative and inclusive. When
you see the new global headquarters renderings, without any doubt,
the new office space and world-class R&D facility will be
representative of who we are and what we stand for. This new
headquarters will exemplify our "4S" culture and reflect the
safety, speed, simplicity and self-confidence that have driven our
success and will continue to do so," said Ghasemi.
Ghasemi added that, "We will also emphasize a fifth "S" with
these new facilities --Sustainability. Sustainability is at the
heart of what we do as a business, every day around the world.
That's important to our customers, our partners, and our talented
and committed employees." Sustainability features at the new
location include a much smaller building footprint with a tall
office building and parking garage, highly energy-efficient
buildings, solar panels, green roofs, and a state-of-the-art
fueling station for fueling hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Air Products' new headquarters is being built a little over one
mile from its existing location on a 50-acre tract of property
southeast of the intersection of Mill Creek Road and the Route 222
Bypass in the Lehigh Valley.
Occupancy is targeted for Summer 2021. The new location will be the
base for approximately 2,000 Air Products employees with capacity
for growth.
During the event, the headquarters location's new address, 1940
Air Products Boulevard, was unveiled. Air Products was founded in
1940, and Ghasemi elaborated on the importance of honoring the
company's foundation and history.
"I believe very strongly that every company has a foundational
culture, and there is value in preserving that, even as you move
that culture forward. Air Products has a nearly 80-year history –
most of it right here in the Lehigh
Valley. There are certain values instilled in people because
of where we are today, because of the people who live in this area,
who contribute to its success, and who call it home. There is a lot
of value in preserving that. So, it became clear this
location worked best for us, and we have never wavered from the
decision to stay," said Ghasemi.
Also speaking at the event were Pennsylvania Department of
Community and Economic Development's Executive Deputy Secretary
Neil Weaver, Pennsylvania State
Senator Pat Browne, and State
Representative Gary Day.
"The Wolf Administration is so excited to see Air Products
establishing a new global headquarters here in the Lehigh Valley, where they've had a presence
since the 1940s. We need businesses to contribute to the long-term
growth of our economy by doing exactly what Air Products is doing
here today – by committing to invest in Pennsylvania and our workers," said
Neil Weaver, Executive Deputy
Secretary for the Department of Community and Economic
Development.
"Air Products has a long and exceptional history as a global
leader in providing industrial gases and equipment to a wide-range
of industries internationally," Senate Appropriations Committee
Chairman Pat Browne said. "Its
innovation and technological advancements along with its workforce
of 16,000 diverse, highly-qualified and talented employees have
kept this company at the forefront of its industry and ahead of its
competitors.
"But while Air Products continues to grow and expand its
footprint worldwide, it has remained dedicated to its roots here in
the Lehigh Valley. With other
attractive locations available to build its new headquarters
throughout the country and the world, Air Products' decision to
relocate within the Lehigh Valley
speaks volumes to its leadership's and employees' commitment to and
investment in the local community and the Commonwealth. As one of
the area's largest employers, that commitment to keep high-paying,
world-class jobs here in the Lehigh
Valley is truly significant and invaluable to this
region."
"After over 70 years of commitment to the people living in this
area, Air Products decided to recommit to Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania with their new
headquarters location. I look forward to Pennsylvania being just as committed to them,"
said Representative Gary Day.
The new headquarters site will include new administration
offices, a research and development (R&D) facility, and an
enclosed parking structure for employees. Throughout construction,
Air Products' headquarters will remain at its current location
(7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown), and employees will continue to
work there until completion of the new facilities. In addition to a
previously announced agreement for a portion of the site, the
company has made the balance of its existing location available to
the real estate market.
Steadfastly focusing on Industrial Gases, Air Products had
divested non-core businesses over the last three years. These
moves, in combination with other operational changes, have resulted
in excess building space at Air Products' present 60-year-old
location.
About Air Products
Air Products
(NYSE:APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation
for over 75 years. The company provides industrial gases and
related equipment to dozens of industries, including refining,
chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and
beverage. Air Products is also the world's leading supplier of
liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.
The Company had fiscal 2018 sales of $8.9
billion from operations in 50 countries and has a current
market capitalization of about $50
billion. Approximately 16,000 passionate, talented and
committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air
Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that
benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and address the
challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements
within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of
the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual
performance and financial results may differ materially from
projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking
statements because of many factors not anticipated by management,
including risk factors described in the company's Form 10K for its
fiscal year ended September 30,
2018.
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SOURCE Air Products