Author: rusty

News:

Luxfer Gas Cylinders year 2000 disclosure notice

December 3, 1998 Riverside, California, USA

In 1994 Luxfer Gas Cylinders in the United States began an audit and assessment of its systems to determine any necessary changes to computer systems and software to ensure that Luxfer is able to function effectively and maintain its standard of service to customers through and beyond the year 2000.

Since that time, several internal systems have been modernized and replaced. As of June 1997, all of Luxfer Gas Cylinders critical software systems were determined to be year 2000 compliant. This includes both systems written in-house and systems purchased from outside vendors. Additionally, Luxfer has implemented a new manufacturing system which is also fully year 2000 compliant. All specifications for new systems, equipment and software require them to work through the year 2000.

It has been Luxfer's intention to minimize year 2000 risks as far as it is possible or reasonable so to do. At this stage, it is not anticipated that there will be disruption of Luxfer's ability to function or provide service to its customers before, during or after the year 2000 due to the 'millennium bug.' Furthermore, Luxfer does not expect to incur additional cost of doing business due to year 2000 software or hardware issues.

However, although Luxfer has taken serious and prudent corrective actions to be prepared to do business in the next century, no business can categorically state that there will be no disruption because of year 2000 issues. This is because of the uncertain nature of the potential effects, for example, of linkage to third party software that may have a year 2000 problem. Nevertheless, Luxfer is taking all necessary steps to ensure as far as possible that its suppliers, vendors and other providers are year 2000 compliant.

Please note: the information provided to you, either in writing or contained on Luxfer's internet web site pages, regarding products and services offered by Luxfer (or with respect to Luxfer's year 2000 processing capabilities or readiness) is considered a year 2000 disclosure in conformance with the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-271, 112 Stat. 2386) enacted October 19, 1998. This designation applies to information delivered directly to you, through or derived from Luxfer's internet web site pages, and other materials.

If you have any questions about Luxfer's year 2000 compliance program then please contact our Information Technology Manager, John P. Dibble, at (951) 341-2298.

News:

Poor visual inspections are the problem not old scuba cylinders

RIVERSIDE, CA, MARCH 4, 1998 - In response to the flood of calls from concerned scuba tank owners following the rupture of another manufacturer's scuba cylinder in a South Florida dive store, Luxfer Gas Cylinders, the world's leading producer of scuba cylinders, issued the following statement today:

"Many owners of scuba tanks would like information regarding the safety of their scuba tanks. As the "Safety First" company, we want to assure all of you that all our high-pressure gas cylinders are safe for use whatever the date of manufacture. But if you are concerned, we strongly recommend you contact a dive store that has a professionally trained visual inspector and have your cylinder visually inspected. In the highly unlikely event there is any problem, even minor, with your cylinder, a competent visual inspection will find it. We recommend scuba technicians who have been certified by PSI, Inc. to carry out visual inspections.

We hope we have addressed your concerns. If you need additional information on tank care, please visit our website at www.luxfercylinders.com where you will find our new guide to cylinder maintenance, called AIRCARE, under the SCUBA Products Care and Maintenance section."

Bill High, founder and director of Professional Scuba Inspectors, Inc. and recognized as the leading industry expert on the visual inspection of scuba cylinders, commented today on the suggested guidelines for the inspection of scuba cylinders proposed by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Dive Association.

"The solutions proposed by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Dive Association do not actually address the problem," said Bill High. "The real problem is untrained visual inspectors who keep damaged cylinders in service. The solution is to require, as the U.S. law does (49CFR172.700), that everyone who handles a cylinder knows what he/she is doing.

"There is nothing inherently wrong with 10, 20 or even 30 year old cylinders," High added. "Certainly, some cylinders should be technically inspected more often than once a year. But, it is not old cylinders that is the problem, it's damaged ones. Florida has had more cylinder explosions than any other part of the world, both steel and aluminum. Why? Because many scuba technicians won't take training. There are also problems created by the warm environment and overfilling is a problem as well. Even the bath tubs used for that unnecessary water bath fill are a concern," High said.

High further suggested to members of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Dive Association that they participate in a PSI-led training session on professional visual inspections, which he offered to conduct personally, and assist in making a statewide set of fill station operator safety standards.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders manufactures more than 2.5 million high-pressure aluminum and composite gas cylinders annually for most major gas markets throughout the world. With plants in Australia and Europe, Luxfer has its U.S. corporate headquarters in Riverside, CA and manufacturing plants in Graham, NC and Riverside, CA.

Note to Editors: Bill High is available for interview. If you wish to speak to him you can contact him at 425/486-2252 or by e-mail at psicylinders@msn.com. PSI also has a website.

News:

Luxfer expands state-of-the-art manufacturing facility

RIVERSIDE, CA, January 12, 1998 -- After the completion of the most successful year in its history, Luxfer Gas Cylinders announced the move of its Composite Cylinder Division to an expanded, state-of-the-art production facility in Riverside, CA.

The 78,000 square foot plant incorporates new, in-line machinery and equipment which will greatly increase Luxfer's capacity for manufacturing composite gas cylinders. Luxfer is the world's largest manufacturer of high-pressure aluminum and composite cylinders for most major gas markets.

"Our new factory for the mass production of very lightweight cylinders is world-class and sets a new standard for operations of its kind," said John Rhodes, president, Luxfer, Inc. "Our new, in-line process flow will speed up manufacturing, better utilize equipment, increase productivity and reduce lost-time."

This new facility includes the most modern machinery and equipment available including new winding machines, tension creels, curing ovens, production hydrotest and cylinder finishing equipment.

"This additional capacity and improvements will enable us to serve our customers well into the future, providing high-quality composite cylinders on-time and at competitive prices," explained Ed Morris, general manager, Luxfer Composite Division. "Much of the new plant layout is a direct result of input from our employees who are actively involved in our efforts to continuously improve our manufacturing capabilities."

The move by the Composite Cylinder Division to Riverside coincides with and places it close to Luxfer's new U.S. corporate headquarters location. The corporate headquarters offices recently moved out of the original Riverside plant, which manufactures all-aluminum alloy, high-pressure gas cylinders, and into nearby, expanded space. These moves strategically place all three facilities adjacent to each other maximizing administrative and manufacturing efficiencies.

Established in 1898, Luxfer manufactures nearly three million high-pressure aluminum and composite gas cylinders annually for most major gas markets in more than 50 countries, including life support (fire fighting) and HAZMAT (rescue operations), medical, CO2 beverage and fire extinguishers, specialty industrial gases and scuba. With plants in Australia and Europe, Luxfer has its U.S. corporate headquarters in Riverside, CA and manufacturing facilities in Graham, NC and Riverside.

News:

Acquisition of Australian cylinder manufacturer

8 January 1997: British Aluminium today announced the successful acquisition of CIG Gas Cylinders. CIG Gas Cylinders is a manufacturer of high pressure, aluminium, gas cylinders for fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus, diving equipment, medical and industrial gases and beverage dispensing. The company operates from a single manufacturing facility located in Kings Park, Sydney.

The company was formerly a division of BOC Gases Australia Limited.

CIG Gas Cylinders will in future trade as Luxfer Gas Cylinders, a division of British Aluminium Australia Pty Ltd. Luxfer is the leading world-wide producer of high pressure gas cylinders, operating from two manufacturing facilities in the UK and three plants in the USA. CIG has had a strong relationship with Luxfer for twenty years, and has operated under a sales & marketing and technology licensing agreement with Luxfer.

Ian McKinnon, Chief Executive of British Aluminium commented: "Luxfer is an important core business for British Aluminium, with strong market positions in Europe and North America. This acquisition gives us an important manufacturing presence in the fast growing Asia-Pacific Region and strengthens our position as the World's leading producer of high pressure gas cylinders. It also confirms our commitment to develop British Aluminium into a major international engineering business supplying high added value materials and components to world markets."

Brian Purves, Finance Director of British Aluminium commented: "CIG Gas Cylinders is already a successful business with sales growing from 10,000 cylinders in 1975 to 250,000 last year. It has a reputation for quality products and innovative working practices. With its presence in the key markets of Japan, Korea and Australia, it is a valuable addition to our portfolio."

For enquiries, please contact: Bob Bailey, Director of Corporate Development, British Aluminium Limited at The Victoria, Harbour City, Salford Quays, Manchester, M5 2SP, UK. Telephone: 0161 911 8813. Fax: 0161 911 8894

Notes for Editors

1.CIG Gas Cylinders is British Aluminium's first acquisition.

2.British Aluminium was formed in February 1996 when a Management Buy-in acquired the downstream operations of Alcan in the UK. It has a turnover of about £530 mio and employs 4000 people, with manufacturing operations in the UK and USA.

3.British Aluminium is a group of engineering companies that supply materials and semi-finished components to a wide range of end-use markets. In 1996 90% of its earnings came from internationally diverse, high added value businesses with strong market positions. These include the processing of zirconium and magnesium, the manufacture of specialist aluminium alloys and components for the aerospace, defence and general engineering markets, as well as the manufacture of high pressure gas cylinders.

4.Luxfer Gas Cylinders is the world's leading manufacturer of high pressure gas cylinders with operations in the UK and the USA. The UK operations are at Colwick, near Nottingham and Aldridge in Staffordshire; The USA operations are at Riverside and Placentia in California and Graham, North Carolina. Luxfer currently produces 3 million cylinders pa.

5.CIG Gas Cylinders formerly operated as a division of BOC Gases Australia. It has been a licensee of Luxfer technology for twenty years. It had a turnover of A$40 million in 1996, producing over 250,000 cylinders. Two-thirds of its output is exported to the Asia Pacific region, with Japan being its largest export market. It employs 110 people at its manufacturing plant at Kings Park, Sydney, Australia.

6.The company will operate under the name of Luxfer Gas Cylinders, Australia.

7.British Aluminium's Head Office is at the Victoria Building, Salford Quays in Manchester.