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Merger may affect BOC Gases plant By DAVID PRESZLER WHITE CITY -- A proposed $11.5 billion merger between three of the world's largest industrial gas companies could bring at least nominal changes to the BOC Gases plant here, though company officials say it's too soon to pin down the impact. Company spokesman Peter Gavigan said operations at the White City plant, which employs about 40 people, will continue as normal until the deal is finalized. The merger must clear a regulatory process that could last six months or more. Air Liquide and Air Products & Chemicals Inc. announced plans Tuesday to buy BOC Group, the parent company of BOC Gases. Air Liquide, based in Paris, is the world's largest producer of industrial gases. BOC, based in London, ranks second while U.S.-based Air Products & Chemicals Inc. is fourth. Under the proposed deal, Air Liquide and Air Products would split BOC's global operations, dividing them in the way least likely to cause regulatory problems. Air Liquide will take over the European business and operations in Japan and Thailand. Air Products will take over BOC operations in Australia and New Zealand as well as remaining Asian businesses. In the United States, the companies will split BOC's plants and operations. Gavigan said it is too soon to tell which company will get the White City plant, opened just last year. He said some operations might have to be sold to an outside firm for the deal to be finalized. Among the uses for industrial gases are refrigeration, carbonation and the manufacturing of high-quality steel. Gases also are used in the computer chip industry, to clean and etch silicon wafers. The White City plant was specifically designed to supply gases to semiconductor companies. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA