BOC Receives Supplier Award from Worthington Cylinders

    MURRAY HILL, N.J.--June 25, 2003--BOC has been recognized as a certified supplier of Worthington Cylinders, a subsidiary of Worthington Industries , at the company's recent supplier conference in Westerville, Ohio.
    In presenting the award to BOC, Jacob Sukosd, maintenance, repair and operations buyer for Worthington Cylinders said, "BOC provides Worthington Industries with bulk and cylinder gases and technical assistance. Their on-line telemetry system offers a simplified fulfillment process, monitoring our liquid gas levels and delivering product as needed. This on-line system also allows Worthington the ability to obtain real-time usage and delivery reports."
    In addition, Sukosd said, "BOC has been very receptive to cost-saving measures initiated by Worthington. Recently, they audited the helium distribution system within our Columbus facility to help us identify opportunities for improvement. In our Jefferson facility, BOC is currently reviewing the atmosphere of the furnaces to improve surface quality on our products."
    Chris Ostrander, major customer executive, BOC, said, "Worthington has been a BOC customer for many years, and over time our relationship has evolved into a true partnership. We work together on cost reduction processes and in joint research programs that benefit both companies and result in improved performances, productivity and innovation."
    Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of approximately US$2 billion. The Columbus, Ohio, based company is North America's premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured metal products such as automotive aftermarket stampings, pressure cylinders, metal framing, metal ceiling grid systems and laser welded blanks. Worthington employs over 8,000 people and operates 61 facilities in 10 countries.
    The BOC Group , the worldwide industrial gases, vacuum technologies and distribution services company, serves two million customers in more than 50 countries. It employs 46,000 people and had annual sales of some US$6 billion in 2002. Further information about The BOC Group may be obtained on the Internet at http://www.boc.com.