Praxair Announces Agreement With Vacuum Instrument

9 September 1999

Praxair Announces Agreement With Vacuum Instrument to Provide Solutions for Leak Testing

    DANBURY, Conn.--Sept. 8, 1999--Praxair, Inc. announced today that it entered into a joint marketing agreement with Vacuum Instrument Corporation to provide non-destructive leak testing to the automotive and heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) industry segments.
    Praxair is a leading supplier of helium, the tracer gas used in leak testing. Helium is the ideal gas for leak testing due to its unique combination of physical and chemical properties. Its small molecules permeate tiny cracks that allow for a helium detector to locate small defects, providing high quality control and minimizing product contamination.
    Vacuum Instrument is the leader in advanced leak detection equipment and has been meeting the needs of industrial and high technology markets for more than 40 years. The new joint marketing agreement provides customers the opportunity for a complete packaged solution. Specialized engineering, manufacturing and service capabilities have proven to reduce expenses and ensure the quality of customers' products, as well.
    In addition to the automotive and HVAC industries, the new marketing agreement will develop uses for helium leak testing in a variety of other industries that require non-destructive leak testing. Non-destructive leak testing is a procedure that does not destroy the tested part. Parts tested include fuel tanks, radiators, brake systems, refrigerator and freezer condenser coils.
    Over 100 million products have been tested by leak detection equipment supplied by Vacuum Instrument. The company has improved customers' manufacturing processes and meets or surpasses the most stringent testing requirements. For more information, visit Vacuum Instrument on the Internet at www.vacuuminst.com.
    Praxair is the world's largest producer of helium, with more than 40 global distribution centers. As the first commercial helium supplier, Praxair has led the development of helium-related equipment and technologies since 1917. These efforts have enabled Praxair to be the leading supplier of helium and helium technology to many high-tech industries, such as fiber optics.
    Praxair is also the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 1998 sales of $4.8 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technology bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, food and beverage, healthcare, electronics, steel, chemicals and refining, metal fabrication, water treatment, glass and others. For more information, visit Praxair on the Internet at www.praxair.com.