CLEVELAND, Aug. 20, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chart Industries, Inc. (NasdaqGS:GTLS - News) today announced that Standard & Poor's (S&P) raised all credit ratings on the Company as follows:

 * Corporate credit rating to BB- from B+

 * Senior secured rating to BB+ from BB

 * Subordinated debt rating to B+ from B

The corporate credit rating is an indication of the Company's general credit strength, and is not assigned to a specific debt issue.

Advising a rating outlook of ``stable,'' S&P commented ``that the credit rating upgrade reflects continued strong operating performance, a significant reduction in leverage, and expectations for solid results to persist over the near term, given the Company's backlog.''

``We are pleased with the S&P upgrade, which validates our operating and financial achievements to date,'' stated Sam Thomas, Chart's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. ``We continue to focus on booking new business, building backlog, and delivering 'world-class' products that consistently meet or exceed our customers' expectations.''

Chart is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. The majority of Chart's products are used throughout the liquid gas supply chain for purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and end-use applications, the largest portion of which are energy-related. Chart has domestic operations located in eight states and an international presence in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom.

For more information, click here:

http://www.chart-ind.com/investor_relations.cfm/?b=1444&I=1 or see Standard & Poor's press release at: http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKWNA929920080815

          Chart Industries, Inc.
          Michael F. Biehl, Executive Vice President,
           Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
          216-626-1216
          michael.biehl@chart-ind.com