6 April 7 – 20, 2012


Air Products expands to meet demand


BY CODY MATERA, ASU JOURNALISM STUDENT A high-tech supply company’s expansion in Chandler will mean more than 200 temporary construction jobs and 15 permanent positions for the SanTan Sun area. Air Products and Chemicals at Price and Frye roads will increase its footprint from 13 to 19 acres by this time next year. Chandler City Council members unanimously approved the preliminary plan during a recent meeting.


The rezoning allows for production of


ultra-pure gas as well as structures more than 100-feet high on a 6-acre plot adjacent to the existing site. Prior to the vote, Councilmember Rick Heumann took time to commend Air Products’ renewed commitment to the community and its role as a major supplier to its corporate neighbor, Intel. “We wouldn’t be able to do this kind of


development without the direct influence of Intel’s major expansion in Chandler,” Heumann says. Chandler’s Economic Development


Director Christine Mackay agrees. “As a key supplier to Intel, Air Products


is in part responsible for the success of a company that has a $2.4 billion economic impact on Arizona.“ Air Products supplies all the oxygen,


nitrogen and argon for Intel, Motorola, Orbital and Microchip Technology, according to Heumann. The gas and chemicals aid in the production of high-tech products and help run their basic machinery. “The additional capacity will almost solely


TIGHT SHIP: Site Manager Richard Jordan oversees the Chandler Air Products as well as other facilities in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. He’s also serving as chair of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors this year. Submitted photo


be used for the Intel expansion and retooling of their other factories,” Mackay says of Air Products’ growth. According to Chandler Site Manager


Richard Jordan, who also oversees other Arizona facilities as well as those


GROWING: Air Products will expand its Price Road facilities by more than 6 acres by next spring as it ramps up production of high-tech products for clients like Intel, Motorola, Orbital and Microchip Technology. Submitted photo


in Colorado and New Mexico, the approximately 15 permanent jobs created by the expansion will pay between $60,000 and $80,000. The plants Jordan facilitates are highly


automated. “We build things that kind of run


themselves.” Automation extends to the global gas


giant’s delivery system that uses trucks and pipelines in 54 countries and every state in the U.S.


“The majority of our business around the


world is via truck, but pipeline is easier and safer. We started a pipeline for Motorola and it has grown into the system that now serves Intel,” Jordan says.


The expansion will also generate 200 to


300 temporary construction jobs, benefitting the city with increased tax revenue as well as a hike in traffic and sales at nearby Chandler Fashion Center and area shopping plazas. Mackay says suppliers that work on Air


Products equipment will need to add jobs to keep up, like hiring more drivers. There is no doubt in her mind the company has and will continue to play a critical role in bringing high-tech industry to Chandler. “Air Products is a key component of the


success we have had in attracting these companies.” Cody Matera is a student at ASU’s Walter


Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, writing for class credit.


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