CLEVELAND, March 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sam Thomas, Chairman, CEO and President of Chart Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTLS), gathered with company, state and local dignitaries, and more than 200 current and former employees, at the ribbon cutting ceremony to formally dedicate the expansion of Chart's brazed aluminium heat exchanger (BAHX) manufacturing plant in La Crosse, WI. The $50 million project increases the manufacturing capacity for Chart's proprietary heat exchangers by 40%, doubles the engineering space and includes an additional vacuum brazing furnace, which is the largest of its type in the world.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=24443
"The capacity expansion is an integral part of Chart's overall growth strategy and is good news for our global customer base and the local community," commented Mike Durkin, President of Chart Energy & Chemicals. "It furthers our ability to support our customers with market leading delivery schedules, and creates jobs for semi-skilled, skilled and graduate personnel."
BAHX offer significant economic and efficiency advantages versus other types of heat exchangers and are integral to cryogenic processing plants around the world for the production and purification of atmospheric gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, the production of important raw materials, such as ethylene and propylene, and the processing and liquefaction of natural gas.
Chart's La Crosse facility employs more than 500 people and has a rich heritage boasting more than 60 years uninterrupted BAHX manufacturing in the area with more than 10,000 units produced to date. A five year union contract with Machinist Union LL2191 continues a proud 60 year partnership with the IAMAW.
In addition to ISO 14001 accreditation, the recent acknowledgement of La Crosse as a 'Zero Landfill Plant' puts it at the forefront of manufacturing sites around the world for its environmental credentials.
Chart is a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. The majority of Chart's products are used throughout the liquid gas supply chain for purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and end-use applications, the largest portion of which are energy-related. Chart has domestic operations located across the United States and an international presence in Asia, Australia and Europe. For more information, visit: http://ir.chartindustries.com/
