The Journey of Messer's Helium to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

Final Conversion

The Grand Finale

Starting the Journey

Messer is one of the leading helium gas suppliers, and the company is committed to providing a safe, reliable and uninterrupted supply of this valuable gas.

The helium used to fill the breathtaking balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins its journey at Messer's Otis, Kansas, plant.

From Liquid to Lift

Messer's Otis, Kansas, plant follows specific helium refining processes and liquefies the crude helium. When it comes to helium transportation, Messer fills a trailer for shipment to Bethlehem, PA where the company operates a helium trans-fill facility.

Industrial gas processing facility with workers on scaffolding and interconnected piping; gas flare burning in the background under a cloudy sky

Final Conversion

At the facility in Bethlehem, the pure helium liquid is converted to gas and compressed into four high-pressure tube trailers that are trucked to New York City.

Helium Refrigerated Liquid,” with visible safety signage and connection hoses under a clear blue sky

Parade Preparations

The day before the parade, Messer and Macy’s staff assemble near Manhattan's Upper West Side. Following all recommended helium safety standards, workers begin inflating the balloons using a gas filling apparatus Messer has customized for the parade.

Messer truck carrying large helium compressed gas tubes parked on a city street

The Grand Finale

Early Thanksgiving morning, the balloons are topped off with helium and poised for the parade.

Balloons are inflated and prepared at Macys Balloon Inflation 2023 (Photo Credit_ Macys, Inc-1

Other Industrial Helium Uses

Helium in Electronics Manufacturing

Provides inert atmospheres, controls heat transfer and acts as a carrier gas. It is also used in the manufacture of LED lighting, flat screen monitors and high-performance hard drives.

Helium in Welding

Creates an inert gas shield during arc welding where it enhances quality of welds and improves the efficiency of the welding process.

Helium in Healthcare & Medicine

Can be used in extreme low-temperature liquid phase to provide cooling for superconductive magnets in MRI machines, enabling accurate and reliable diagnostic images.

Helium in Aerospace & Space Exploration

Pressurizes systems, and purges fuel tanks in aircraft and space launch platforms.

Helium in Manufacturing

Is used to test seals in products like tires, refrigeration equipment, heat exchangers, fuel tanks, and battery packs.

Any questions?

Ask our team. We're here to help!