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) July 27, 2004
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PRAXAIR, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
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(State or Other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-11037 06-124-9050
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
39 OLD RIDGEBURY ROAD, DANBURY, CT 06810-5113
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(203)837-2000
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
ITEM 5. Other Events
PRAXAIR NAMES WOOD TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DANBURY, Conn., July 30, 2004 - Robert L. Wood, chairman, president and chief
executive officer of Crompton Corporation, has been elected to the board of
directors of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX), effective September 1, 2004. Crompton
Corporation is a global producer and marketer of specialty chemicals, polymer
products, and processing equipment.
"We are delighted to have Bob on Praxair's board and expect that his
extensive knowledge of the chemicals industry and his global business experience
will be a great asset as Praxair continues to grow its business across a broad
range of industries in selected regions around the world," said Dennis Reilley,
chairman, president and chief executive officer of Praxair.
The election of Wood increases the number of Praxair directors to 10, nine
of whom are outside directors.
Wood, 50, became president and chief executive officer of Crompton in
January 2004 and was appointed to the additional post of chairman in April.
Prior to joining Crompton, Wood spent more than 27 years at Dow Chemical
Company where his career spanned multiple functions and units, serving most
recently as business group president for Thermosets and Dow Automotive from
November 2000. In this position, he was responsible for a portfolio of global
businesses with revenues totaling $5.5 billion that included polyurethanes,
epoxies, automotive and polyurethane systems. As a member of the corporate
operating board, Wood was directly involved in overall strategy, planning and
policy setting for Dow Chemical.
Wood earned a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan. He served as
chairman of the American Plastics Council and is a board member of the American
Chemistry Council. He is also a member of the national board and past chairman
of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America and serves on the board of Jarden
Corporation.
Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America,
and one of the largest worldwide, with 2003 sales of $5.6 billion. The company
produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and
high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies
bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries,
including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy,
healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information is available on
the Internet at www.praxair.com.
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.
PRAXAIR, INC.
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Registrant
Date: July 27, 2004 By: /s/ David H. Chaifetz
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David H. Chaifetz
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary