LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (May 9, 2003) – Air Products (NYSE:APD) has launched its 20th country website, the latest in an ongoing initiative to globally communicate its products and markets-served in the native languages of its international customers.
This milestone was realized this past April with the release of the Air Products Belgium website at www.airproducts.be. The new website is offered in both Dutch and French, and provides a targeted overview of the services and products available to Air Products' Belgian customers.
Since the first country website was launched in Germany in 1999, Air Products has continued to introduce these sites on a rolling basis to customers spanning five continents and in countries representing approximately 90% of Air Products' sales. Fourteen languages have been used, ranging from Mandarin Chinese to Czech to Portuguese. All of the websites illustrate the Air Products brand and help to generate new business leads by establishing a strong, visual presence in targeted markets.
"We're really making a concerted effort to find new and innovative ways to communicate with our customers, regardless of where they are in the world," explains Brad Hahn, director of E-Business. "These country websites are great examples of how we can open a dialogue with our international customers in their native language while conveniently providing them with the resources and information they need, everyday."
The Belgian country website's homepage features the latest news on Air Products' BIP technology, which delivers ultra-high purity gas through a hassle-free purifier contained within compressed gas cylinders. The homepage also highlights information on Air Products' Maxx™ welding gases and Integra™ cylinders.
All country websites include pages about Air Products, the latest company news and regional career opportunities; furthermore, the Belgium site has a link to the Air Products Direct (APDirect®) Customer Portal, the company's gateway to self-service and ordering capabilities.
With Belgium completed, Air Products and its e-business team will next focus on expanding the country websites to its Asian customers. To date, six Asian countries have country websites in place—and Air Products has planned deployments for Thailand, Taiwan and China over the next year.
For more information on Air Products' worldwide locations, as well as links to each of its current 20 country websites, visit www.airproducts.com/Global.
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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