Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX), Danbury, CT, has acquired two independent distributors of packaged gas and welding supplies: United Welding Supplies, LLC in Texas and Best Welders Supply, Inc. in Oklahoma. The two companies had combined 2013 annual sales of about $30 million. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

United Welding Supplies has 49 employees and operates three locations, including its headquarters and primary cylinder filling plant in Houston and retail stores in LaPorte and Freeport, TX.

Best Welders Supply has 25 employees. Its headquarters facility in Tulsa, OK includes a cylinder fill plant, retail store and administrative offices.

“We have been steadily growing our packaged and small bulk business in Houston and the Gulf Coast region," said Scott Kaltrider, Praxair Distribution, Inc. president. "In addition, the growing Tulsa region has a strong economy supported by a healthy oil and gas industry and aerospace equipment manufacturing. The acquisition of these well-established distributors enables Praxair to further strengthen its presence in these important geographies.”