Praxair Distribution Inc (PDI), a subsidiary of Praxair Inc, has merged two joint venture companies operating in the Southeastern US. The transaction involves merging Praxair Distribution Southeast LLC (PDSE), a PDI joint venture operating in Florida and southeast Georgia since 1997, into Tennessee-based nexAir LLC, a 75-year old company which entered into a joint venture with PDI in 2012, with locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. NexAir will grow to have annual sales of more than $200 million and 67 locations with the merger, adding coverage throughout the state of Florida. Its existing senior management team will continue to lead the combined business.
“Both the PDSE and nexAir businesses have been very successful partnerships for PDI in the southeast and it makes sense to now combine them. It will allow us to streamline and simplify our management processes and improve customer focus and clarity around PDI’s channel strategy. Together we will provide a stronger network of services and capabilities throughout the region,” said Scott Kaltrider, president Praxair Distribution Inc.
