LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Jan. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Air
Products (NYSE: APD), A leading global industrial gases company, today announced that it has been selected for the
2019 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) which distinguishes companies committed to transparency in gender reporting and
advancing women's equality. The selection to the Bloomberg GEI is an excellent fit with the goal Air Products has set to be the
safest, most diverse and most profitable industrial gas company in the world, providing excellent service to customers.
"We took action last year and strategically added "most diverse" to our company's goal. We continue to make strides toward
this goal, but there is always more work to be done. We recognize this and are committed to make progress. That said, it is a
great accomplishment to be selected to the Bloomberg GEI and be recognized for our diversity efforts to this point," said
Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air
Products.
In all 230 companies globally were named to the index, which doubled in size from 2018 and includes firms from 10 sectors
headquartered across 36 countries and regions. Collectively, these firms have a combined market capitalization of $9 trillion (USD) and employ more than 15 million people, of which seven million are women, around the world.
Thirteen markets are represented for the first time this year and include Argentina,
China, Israel and South
Africa.
"We applaud Air Products and the other 229 firms tracked by the index for their action to measure gender equality through the
Bloomberg GEI framework," said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg and Founding Chairman of the
U.S. 30% Club. "Air Products' GEI inclusion is a strong indicator to its employees, investors and industry peers alike that it is
leading by example to advance ongoing efforts for a truly inclusive workplace."
Additional details on Air Products diversity and inclusion efforts around the world can be found at: www.airproducts.com/Company/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion.aspx.
Bloomberg's standardized reporting framework offers public companies the opportunity to disclose information on how they
promote gender equality across four separate areas – company statistics, policies, community engagement and products and
services. Reporting companies that score above a globally-established threshold, based on the extent of disclosures and the
achievement of best-in-class statistics and policies, are included in the GEI. Demand for products and services using ESG
(Environmental, Social and Governance) data has seen a significant increase over the last years, as a growing number of investors
are looking to incorporate environmental, social and governance data into their investment decisions. Still, currently only 10%
of eligible companies are disclosing their workplace gender policies and practices.
The Bloomberg gender reporting framework is voluntary and has no associated costs. The GEI is a reference index. All public
companies can submit data to Bloomberg. Those with a security listed on a U.S. exchange and a market capitalization of
$1 billion (USD) or greater are eligible for index inclusion. For more information on the GEI and
how to submit information for next year's index visit: https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/solution/gender-equality-index/
Bloomberg subscribers can access the GEI at {BGEI Index DES <GO>}. Terminal users will have access to the fully updated
index on Friday, January 18, 2019.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading Industrial Gases company in operation for over 75 years. The Company provides
industrial gases and related equipment to dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing,
and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world's leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and
equipment.
The Company had fiscal 2018 sales of $8.9 billion from operations in 50 countries and has a current
market capitalization of about $35 billion. Approximately 16,000 passionate, talented and committed
employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the
environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
About Bloomberg:
Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, gives influential decision makers a critical edge by
connecting them to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas. The company's strength – delivering data, news and
analytics through innovative technology, quickly and accurately – is at the core of the Bloomberg Terminal. Bloomberg's enterprise solutions build on the company's core strength: leveraging
technology to allow customers to access, integrate, distribute and manage data and information across organizations more
efficiently and effectively. For more information, visit www.bloomberg.com or request a demo.
NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions
as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially
from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management,
including risk factors described in the company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30,
2018.
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SOURCE Air Products