ON THE HEELS OF PROPOSED PRAXAIR AND LINDE AG MERGER, SCHUMER MAKES CALL DIRECTLY TO PRAXAIR CEO & URGES COMPANY TO PROTECT MORE THAN 1,000 JOBS IN ERIE AND NIAGARA COUNTIES

Praxair Recently Announced Its Plan To Merge With Germany's Linde AG; Local WNY Company Employs Over 1,000 People In Erie & Niagara Counties

Schumer To CEO:  Preserving WNY Jobs Is My Top Priority

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called Praxair chief executive officer Steve Angel following the news that Praxair has proposed merging with Germany’s Linde AG. In his call with the Praxair CEO, Schumer highlighted the importance of the Tonawanda and Niagara Falls facilities to the region and encouraged to protect the jobs in Western New York and to look for new ways to grow the company’s regional footprint.

“Praxair might be an international company, but it has deep roots in Western New York. That is why I spoke directly with Praxair CEO Steve Angel and urged him to protect these important jobs in Tonawanda and Niagara Falls. Not only are these jobs vital to the community and economy, the employees are efficient, loyal and productive so they should be the foundation for future growth and profitability for the company as it moves through this proposed merger,” said Senator Schumer. “My message to Praxair was clear: they must make it a priority to build on the success here in Western New York and ensure a bright future for our local workers. I am confident he heard me loud and clear, and he committed to working with me throughout this process.”

Praxair provides atmospheric, high-performance coatings, as well as process and specialty gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, and hydrogen. The corporation also specializes in engineering organizational designs and constructing air separation systems, known as cryogenic and non-cryogenic, as well as technologies such as coatings and powders for metal surfaces, which protect from wear, high temperatures, and corrosion. Praxair Technology Center (PTC), the company’s primary engineering arm, is located in Tonawanda. The company also manufactures hydrogen at its Niagara Falls location.  Praxair supports the global industrial gases business, employing over 1,000 workers. It represents the largest center in the Americas, and one of the largest worldwide.

In 2012, Schumer also successfully fought to protect the Federal Helium Reserve from closing, a top priority for Praxair.   

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