Air Liquide America Sells Tempil.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 1997--Air Liquide America Corporation today announced it has reached an agreement with Associated Equipment Company, Inc., Pearland, Texas, to sell its Tempil Division in South Plainfield, N.J. Tempil is a manufacturer of heat-indicating markers and labels as well as process indicating inks for medical device sterilization. The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of both companies, but the price was not disclosed.

"There is a synergy between our companies because Associated Equipment has been both a vendor and customer of Tempil for many years," said Richard Ashley, Principal, Associated Equipment Company. "Tempil is a highly respected name in the process indicator industry and we are excited at the prospect of adding that product line to our full range of high quality materials."

Formed in 1972, Associated Equipment Company, Inc., is in the business of selling, servicing, renting and manufacturing welding equipment and consumable supplies.

Air Liquide is an international group, specialized in industrial and medical gases as well as associated services. Present in over 60 countries, it employs over 27,000 people. The 1996 sales were $6.7 billion (US dollars). The group supplies oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and many other gases for industries such as iron and steel, refining, chemicals, glass, electronics, pulp and paper, metallurgy, food, health care and space. Air Liquide provides innovative solutions to improve the industrial performance of its customers and helps them protect the environment.

CONTACT: Air Liquide, Houston

Thomas A. Colyandro, 713/624-8055