Linde and Alliance Welding team up to serve life science customers in San Francisco Bay Area

MURRAY HILL, N.J., Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Linde LLC has entered an agreement with Alliance Welding Supplies, Inc., creating one of the strongest gases supply options for life sciences customers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Under the agreement, Alliance, a Linde platinum distributor headquartered in Oakland, will supply gases produced by Linde to Bay Area members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

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Through the BIO Business Solutions^® program, Alliance will offer Bay Area BIO member companies technical know-how, rebates on bulk gas products, bulk gas applications, packaged and specialty gases, mini-bulk and related equipment, products and services. The gases include cylinder supply for industrial and special gas requirements and liquid argon, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and helium.

BIO, founded in 1993, represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the U.S. and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

"Linde has been a solid strategic provider within the BIO Business Solutions^® cost savings program for the past five years," said BIO President and CEO, Jim Greenwood. "The growing program currently provides excellent gas products and services to numerous life science companies nationwide. With the addition of Alliance, we anticipate the program to be even more attractive to member companies in the San Francisco Bay Area."

Peter Studer, program manager-Chemistry for Linde North America, said, "We're excited about the powerful potential of this venture, which combines the strengths of both companies. Linde, the largest producer of gases worldwide, combines its world leading engineering capabilities and applications expertise for biotech and pharmaceutical companies, with local production and bulk product distribution. Alliance will provide gases in cylinders, liquid dewars, and micro-bulk, focusing on early stage, and small to midsize local biotech accounts."

Alliance, which has six supply locations, is the fastest growing and largest independent distributor of compressed and cryogenic gases in northern California. Marvin Rodgers, president of Alliance added, "Alliance is very pleased that Linde and BIO have seen the additional value Alliance brings to the local life sciences market in the Bay Area. We have greatly improved our commitment to serve this market."

Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn (USD 19.9 bn). The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com

SOURCE Linde North America