Air Products CEO: ‘We all need to take safety and security very seriously’

By Jenny Eagle

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Modified atmosphere

Seifi Ghasemi, CEO, Air Products
Seifi Ghasemi, CEO, Air Products
Seifi Ghasemi, CEO, Air Products, has spoken of his sympathy for victim, Herve Cornara, following an attack at the company’s ' facility in L'Isle-d'Abeau, France. 

Cornara was attacked by suspect Yassin Salhi, 35, last Friday, and his head was found pinned to the gates at the American-owned Air Products factory in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, next to two Islamist flags. 

MAP, cooling, chilling

My heart goes out to the people who work at the site and their families​,” said Ghasemi. 

This incident reinforces that we all need to take safety and security very seriously, every day, and remain vigilant in everything we do​.” 

Air Products provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and related equipment to manufacturing markets including metals, food and beverage including Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), cooling, chilling or freezing applications for bakery goods, fruit and vegetables, poultry, meats and ready meals. 

According to Ghasemi, security has now been increased at all the firm’s locations around the world as a precautionary measure. 

Investigations continue

He also expressed appreciation for the assistance and outpouring of support he had received, as the company continues to cooperate with the continuing investigation by police. 

Cornara was the boss at ATC-colicom in Chassieu and ran his own business offering a delivery service. He had been strangled before he was decapitated. 

The suspect Salhi, allegedly caused an explosion by ramming his vehicle into an area containing flammable liquids and he remains in custody with his wife and his sister in Lyon. 

I am horrified and saddened by the attack on our facility in France​,” added Ghasemi. 

I believe I speak for all of our Air Products family around the world in expressing our deepest sympathies to the family of the victim of this unspeakable act. 

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to other companies, customers, elected officials, and many other citizens of the world who have reached out to Air Products with kind words, well wishes, and offers of assistance​.” 

He said plans are in place to continue to carry out orders for customers from the impacted Air Products’ factory.

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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