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Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Form: 8-K)  

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   August 24, 2006

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 1-4534 23-1274455
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction 		_____________
(Commission 		______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, Pennsylvania   18195-1501
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) 		  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   610 481-4911

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On 24 August 2006, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. announced that John E. McGlade, currently Group Vice President, Chemicals, will be named President and Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 October 2006.

McGlade, 52, joined Air Products in 1976 in the company’s career development program and subsequently held various positions within its Gases business, including both domestic and international assignments. He was named general manager of the Chemical and Process Industries Division in 1994 and vice president of the division in 1996 where he led the growth of the company’s premier position in hydrogen. In 2001, he became general manager and vice president of the Performance Materials Division. He assumed his current position as Group Vice President for the company’s worldwide Chemicals group in 2003.

The press release issued in connection with this announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.





Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated August 24, 2006. Air Products Appoints John McGlade President and COO and Announces Organizational Changes.





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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
          
August 24, 2006   By:   Paul E. Huck
       
        Name: Paul E. Huck
        Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
99.1
  Press Release dated August 24, 2006. Air Products Appoints John McGlade President and COO and Announces Organizational Changes.
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
7201 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18195-1501

Air Products Appoints John McGlade President and COO

And Announces Organizational Changes

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (August 24, 2006) – Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced leadership and organization changes effective October 1, 2006 to reflect the company’s strategy and focus on growth. John E. McGlade, currently group vice president, Chemicals, has been named president and chief operating officer by the Board of Directors.

John P. Jones, chairman and CEO, who previously also held the title of president, said, “Throughout his career, John has steered key strategic transformations such as establishing early partnerships in Asia and building our hydrogen franchises that have become a leadership position for the company. He has recently led our restructuring efforts in the Chemicals Group. His broad relationships and understanding of our businesses, customers and partners around the world will enable him to play a key leadership role in the continuing evolution of Air Products into a higher return and growth-oriented company.”

McGlade, 52, joined Air Products in 1976 in the company’s career development program and subsequently held various positions within its Gases business, including both domestic and international assignments. He was named general manager of the Chemical and Process Industries Division in 1994 and vice president of the division in 1996, where he led the growth of the company’s premier position in hydrogen. In 2001, he became general manager and vice president of the Performance Materials Division. He assumed his current position as group vice president for the company’s worldwide Chemicals Group in 2003. McGlade earned a B.S. degree in industrial engineering and an M.B.A. from Lehigh University.

Consistent with a previous announcement of its plan to sell the amines and polymers businesses, the company is also announcing a business reorganization that clearly aligns its organizational structure to its strategic direction. These four business divisions—1) Energy, Process Industries and Equipment; 2) Merchant Gases; 3) Electronics and Performance Materials; and 4) Healthcare—will report to John McGlade along with Global Operations; Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality; and regional leadership.

Scott A. Sherman will continue leading Energy, Process Industries and Equipment as vice president and general manager. Robert D. Dixon, currently president, Air Products Asia, will assume responsibility for global merchant gases and is appointed vice president and general manager, Merchant Gases. Michael F. Hilton, currently, vice president, Electronics Businesses, is appointed vice president and general manager, Electronics and Performance Materials, and will lead the new organization. John W. Marsland will expand his current role and assume global responsibilities for Healthcare as vice president and general manager, Healthcare.

Commenting on the announcements, Mr. Jones said, “These actions are a logical next step in the plans we announced in March to become a more focused, less cyclical, and higher growth company. With our portfolio management and productivity actions and this reorganization, we are well positioned with the right strategy and leadership to drive growth for the foreseeable future.”

Air Products also announced that Mark L. Bye, currently group vice president, Gases and Equipment, has decided to leave the company this fall to pursue other career opportunities.

“Mark is a very talented and successful leader, and he has made a real difference to Air Products during his many years with the company. I understand and respect his decision, and I would like to thank him for his significant contributions to the company. I wish him great success in his future endeavors,” commented Jones.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

# # #

Media Inquiries:

Beth Mentesana, tel: (610) 481-2459; e-mail: mentesbk@airproducts.com.

Investor Inquiries:

Philip Sproger, tel: (610) 481-7461; e-mail: sprogepc@airproducts.com.