United Kingdom: Air Liquide confirms its ambitions in Healthcare market

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Air Liquide, which was already, for some years, a supplier of medical hygiene products in the British market, entered the British homecare and medical gases markets in 2007, with the acquisition of Linde UK and Allied Respiratory.

Air Liquide increased its presence in United Kingdom by being selected by the National Health Service (or “NHS”, the British public health system) to serve, from February 1st, 2009, 10,000 patients in the South West of England. These patients now receive oxygen therapy and associated services thanks to two new agencies opened in Bristol and Plymouth.

In doing so, Air Liquide has consolidated its position as the number two player in the UK homecare market, with around 30,000 patients and 300 employees.

To increase the quality and efficiency of its services, Air Liquide will bring together, from August 1st, 2009, all its homecare human resources and assets in England within a single company: “Air Liquide Home Care Ltd”. Through this new company, Air Liquide will be able to bring to the NHS all the know-how developed by the Group’s homecare business.

Jean-Marc de Royere, Vice-President of the Group’s Healthcare business and member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, declared: “We confirm the strong growth outlook announced in 2007, as we entered the British market. We want to continue to develop new services with the NHS, to increase the quality of life of people with respiratory diseases in the United Kingdom. Health is a solid and lasting growth driver for the Air Liquide Group.”