LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (April 10, 2003) — Air Products (NYSE:APD) announced today that it has signed a five-year contract through 2008 to provide medical grade oxygen to Northeast and Southeastmembers of AmeriNet, a group purchasing organization (GPO) based in St. Louis, MO.
"We are excited about our affiliation with AmeriNet and look forward to supplying its member hospitals through this new agreement," said Connie Metzger, medical account manager. "This relationship presents us with a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of AmeriNet's membership and how we can help satisfy their needs," she added.
Air Products supplies oxygen and other medical gases to institutional health care markets around the world and is the world's largest supplier of helium and cryogen fill services for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment. In 2002, Air Products entered the U.S. respiratory homecare market with the acquisition of American Homecare Supply, the leading service provider in the northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Air Products is also one of the largest respiratory homecare service providers in Europe.
"We see our arrangement with AmeriNet as being an efficient way for its member hospitals to have access to a vendor who is committed to providing exceptional service in the supply of their medical oxygen needs," said David Bloom, healthcare segment manager for Air Products.
About AmeriNet
Founded in 1986, St. Louis-based AmeriNet, Inc. operates through its three shareholder health care organizations: AmeriNet Central, Intermountain Health Care, Inc. and Vector. Choice makes AmeriNet unique in the health care GPO industry, and creates remarkable value and cost-savings for its members. One of the nation's most successful group purchasing organizations, AmeriNet is GPO of choice for a diverse industry including over 1,800 hospitals and over 16,000 non-acute members, creating value and purchasing strength through an array of programs and services.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in technology, energy, healthcare and industrial markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of products, services and solutions, providing atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials and chemical intermediates. The company is the largest global supplier of electronic materials, hydrogen, helium and select performance chemicals. Founded in 1940, Air Products is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. With annual revenues of $5.4 billion and operations in over 30 countries, the company's 17,200 employees build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com. |
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