Poland: industrial merchant market acquisition

Poland is one of the largest countries and economies in Central Europe. Markets such as metals, automotive and food are enjoying significant growth and require increasing amounts of industrial gases.

In this context, Air Liquide announces that it completed the acquisition of AMCO-GAZ on June 1, 2010.

AMCO-GAZ, a distributor of compressed and liquefied gases, has been operating in the Polish market since 1991. The acquisition of AMCO-GAZ represents the integration of 90 new employees, over 2,500 customers and two additional cylinder filling operations. One is located in Poznań, in northwest Poland, and the other is in Białystok, in the northeast.

This acquisition is part of the Group’s long-term strategic investment program in Poland, with approximately €100 million allocated for 2010. Its goal is to increase national coverage as well as significantly strengthen Air Liquide’s position in the cylinder market in Poland.

Guy Salzgeber, Vice-President North and Central Europe and member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, commented: “This acquisition is in line with our development strategy, as it will strengthen our position in Poland with a full geographic coverage and allow us to better meet strong and growing demand in the industrial merchant market. Air Liquide is delighted to welcome the new employees of AMCO-GAZ to the Group. This project is in alignment with the Group’s long-term strategy, which seeks to capture tomorrow’s growth in emerging economies.”