Job Cut

Doubling Production

Petroleos Mexicanos is seeking bids to modernize the aromatics plant at its La Cangrejera, Mexico petrochemicals complex. It is aiming to double the production of paraxylene at the site. The company expects bids to be submitted in late February with work beginning in April. The updates should be completed by 2012.

Acquisition

Airgas, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Gordon Woods Industrial Welding Supply, Inc., Accu Air Gases & Equipment, LP and Summit Gas & Gear, LP. The three companies are related but separately managed industrial gas and welding supply distributorships with combined annual revenues of $25 million through 10 locations in southern California. All three businesses are now part of the Airgas West regional company.

Huntsman Corp. will cut 470 jobs in a new effort to trim costs in the unit that makes textile dyes and chemicals. Production of textile chemicals will be reduced in Langweid, Germany, affecting 150 of 350 jobs at the site. Sales offices and customer laboratories will be reduced by half. Most of the changes will be implemented in a year and are intended to cut annual costs by $60 million.