News Article
Acquisition of UK gas company will bolster position in industrial gases market
Air Liquide has announced that, with effective from the end of May 2007, the business activities of Linde Gas UK have been transferred to the Air Liquide Group.
Air Liquide has announced that, with effective from the end of May 2007, the business activities of Linde Gas UK have been transferred to the Air Liquide Group. The transaction is based on an enterprise value of 105 million euros. This acquisition will have an immediate and positive impact on the Group's results and allow Air Liquide to almost double the size of its UK operation.This new business is very complementary with Air Liquide activities. The acquisition of additional production units will enable Air Liquide to provide a wider range of products and services to key industry sectors and enhance its capabilities significantly. It also gives an exciting opportunity to access the UK hospital and homecare markets.Klaus Schmieder, Senior Executive Vice-President of the Air Liquide Group, stated: "Air Liquide will integrate the existing UK operations in an enlarged business, to grow and strengthen its position in the UK industrial and medical gases markets. It will also enable us to increase our ambitions in this market through more rapid deployment of our Group's overall resources and expertise."
