2000
The joint £7,2 billion bid by Air Products of America and Air Liquide of France for The BOC Group is unsuccessful and as a result, Afrox remains Afrox.
A carbon dioxide production plant is opened at Mossel Bay.2001
Greg Sedgwick, BOC Group business development director is appointed chairman of Afrox Healthcare Limited.
Royden Vice resigns from The BOC Group and as Chairman of Afrox and Afrox Healthcare Limited.
Mike Flemming is appointed managing director of Afrox Healthcare Limited.
Having reached retirement age, Jimmy Marriott retires as managing director of Afrox and Rick Hogben is appointed as the new managing director.
John Walsh, CEO of The BOC Group’s global ISP is appointed Chairman of Afrox.
A move into Madagascar and the opening of a branch in Tanzania sees African Oxygen Limited operating in 16 African countries.
The development of an eHealth business (both business-to-business and business-to-consumer) commences.
2002
Afrox celebrates its 75th anniversary.
World bench mark regulators are well accepted as Afrox produces over 100,000 a year for export to south-east Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Afrox launches world benchmark Afrox Pac 35, a self-rescuer used by underground miners in cases of emergency.
Rick Hogben is appointed Managing Director, African Oxygen Limited.
Medical Gases is launched as a separate business unit.2003
Afrox is named the best governed company in South Africa and is placed first for board effectiveness and corporate integrity and ethics.
United Nations acknowledges community involvement programmes as excellent examples of a social development initiative.
On 17 November, Afrox announces the disposal of its 69% holding in Afrox Healthcare. The holding is handed to a BEE consortium comprising of:
- Brimstone Investments Limited
- Mvelaphanda Strategic Investment (Pty) Ltd
- Medi Clinic
- Other smaller broad-based empowerment groups and doctor groupings
Afrox launches the integrated valve regulator (IVR), which forms part of a portable lightweight oxygen-closing device. The device is primary used by paramedics, hospitality and homecare.
2004
Afrox is selected by the JSE Securities Exchange as one of 51 companies to make up the prestigious Socially Responsible Investment (SR) index.
Afrox wins the most outstanding technological innovation award for its Afrox Pac self-contained self-rescue device.
Afrox wins the Design Excellence Award for its IVR medical value.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Afrox annual report is judged as excellent in the Corporate Reporting Awards.
BOC Edwards appoints PGS as its new South African distributor for industrial vacuum products.
Afrox celebrates its tenth anniversary of its community involvement programme and Bumbanani Day.
2005
Afrox launches a new safety business.
Afrox is awarded the State contract for gases, and for the first time, the contract for the State home care medical gas and respiratory business.
Afrox opens new markets for its growing export business.
Afrox opens 11 new Gas and Gear retail outlets aimed at smaller collect customers.
Afrox is once again selected by the JSE as one of the companies to make up the Socially Responsible Investment index.
Afrox is a finalist in the Deloitte & Touche Good Governance Awards’ Board Effectiveness, and Ethics and Integrity categories.2006
The Linde Group of Germany takes over The BOC Group and as a result Afrox becomes a subsidiary of Linde.
Afrox acquires the Refrigeration Equipment Corporation (Reco) from Danfoss.
Afrox imports LPG into South Africa for the first time.
New series 8000/8500 regulators, branded Saffire, launches into the market.
Afrox sells its remaining stake in Life Healthcare.
2007
Managing Director Rick Hogben retires and is succeeded by Tjaart Kruger, former executive with Tiger Brands.
Afrox undergoes restructuring to align with The Linde Group operating model.
Financial reporting year-end changes from September to December 31.
Three new air separation units (ASUs) are commissioned at SCAW Metals in Wadeville, Xstrata in Lydenburg, and Mondi in Richards Bay.
A Record R1 billion in total capital expenditure is achieved.