Hotard to Retire From Praxair

Business Wire, Sept 22, 1998

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 1998--Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) today announced that Edgar G. Hotard, president and chief operating officer, will retire from the company, effective December 31, 1998.

Hotard, who joined the company in 1965, has held a series of engineering assignments and management positions in the U.S and Europe and was appointed president and a director in 1992. Hotard was named chief operating officer in January 1998.

"Ed Hotard has made significant contributions to the growth and globalization of Praxair's operations over the years," said Praxair's chairman and chief executive officer, H. William Lichtenberger. Lichtenberger said organizational changes will be announced at a later date.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases supplier in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 1997 sales of $4.7 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair also is a recognized leader in the commercialization of new technologies that bring productivity and environmental benefits to a diverse group of industries.