Regulatory News:
Air Liquide (Paris:AI)
Commenting on the 2013 fiscal year and the Group’s growth
outlook, Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO, stated:
“Air Liquide’s strategy is one of profitable growth over the
long term. It is driven by reinforced operational competitiveness,
targeted investments in growing markets, and constant innovation to
open new markets and create new opportunities.
In 2013, the Group generated new efficiency gains,
demonstrated by the improvement in operating margin, and continued
to adapt its structures to market dynamics. The Group also pursued
its investments and its strategy of innovation in the technologies
of the future which will contribute to growth in the next few
years.
Thanks to a strong balance sheet and sound fundamentals, our
motivated and inventive employees, the trust of our customers, and
the loyal support of our shareholders, we are confident in
Air Liquide’s ability to successfully pursue its development
over the long term.”
The Combined Shareholders’ Meeting of Air Liquide,
chaired by Benoît Potier, the Company’s Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, in the presence of the members of the Board of
Directors, was attended by 3,952 people on Wednesday,
May 7, 2014 at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. The shareholders
who represented 50.45% of the voting rights, i.e. 138,219 present
or duly represented, approved all of the submitted
resolutions.
The proposed dividend, with an ex-date of May 16 and a
payment date of May 21, 2014, was approved: it has been set
at € 2.55 per share, an increase of +2.0%. Shares
held in registered form continually from December 31, 2011 through
May 21, 2014, the dividend payment date, will be granted an
increase in the dividend of € 0.25 per share, i.e. a bonus of
+10%. In addition, one share for every 10 existing shares
will be attributed on June 2, 2014.
The Shareholders approved the renewal as directors of
Mr. Benoît Potier, Mr. Paul Skinner and Mr.
Jean-Paul Agon, each for a term of four years. The
Shareholders also approved the resolutions proposing the
appointment to the board, for a term of four years each, of
Ms. Sin-Leng Low and Ms. Annette Winkler. A citizen
of Singapore, Mrs. Sin-Leng Low was the Executive President of the
industrial engineering group Sembcorp’s subsidiary in charge of
Industrial Installations. Ms. Annette Winkler, who is German, is a
Vice President at Daimler AG, and has been the Chief Executive
Officer of Smart since 2010. The Board, duly noting that the term
of office of Ms. Béatrice Majnoni d’Intignano was expiring,
sincerely thanked her for her contribution to the Board’s
discussions and to the work accomplished by the Audit and Accounts
Committee.
The Board of Directors is now composed of
12 members, including 4 women, and represents
7 different nationalities. In total, 10 of its members are
independent. The current composition of the Board offers a
complementary mix of experience, nationalities and cultures, and
reflects the diversity policy implemented by the Group.
In addition, the Shareholders expressed a favorable opinion on
the remuneration of the company’s executive officers for the 2013
fiscal year in connection with two specific resolutions (“Say on
Pay”).
Lastly, the Shareholders approved a statutory modification
entrusting the appointment of an Employee Director to the
Group Committee in France, to be effective within six months
following the Annual General Meeting.
At the meeting held following the Combined Shareholders’
Meeting, the Board of Directors reappointed Mr. Benoît
Potier to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
for the duration of his four-year term of office. The Board also
reappointed Mr. Pierre Dufour to serve as Senior
Executive Vice President for a period of three years.
During this same meeting, the Board of Directors appointed
Mr. Thierry Desmarest to serve as Lead Director and
reappointed Mr. Paul Skinner to the Audit and Accounts
Committee and Mr. Jean-Paul Agon to the Remuneration
Committee.
Air Liquide share ownership (as of
December 31, 2013)
- 36% of the capital held by
individual shareholders
- 45% of the capital held by
non-French institutional investors
- 19% of the capital held by
French institutional investors
UPCOMING DATES
Dividend ex-date:Friday, May 16, 2014
Dividend payment date:Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Free share attribution date:Monday, June 2, 2014
World leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry
and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with more than
50,000 employees and serves more than 2 million customers and
patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen have been at the core of
the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s
ambition is to be the leader in its industry, delivering long-term
performance and acting responsibly.
Air Liquide ideas create value over the long term. At the core
of the company’s development are the commitment and constant
inventiveness of its people.
Air Liquide anticipates the challenges of its markets, invests
locally and globally, and delivers high-quality solutions to its
customers and patients, and the scientific community.
The company relies on competitiveness in its operations,
targeted investments in growing markets and innovation to deliver
profitable growth over the long-term.
Air Liquide’s revenues amounted to € 15.2 billion in 2013, and
its solutions that protect life and the environment represented
around 40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext
stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and
Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.
www.airliquide.com
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