Messer Group GmbH (Bad Soden, Germany; www.messergroup.com) and CVC Capital Partners Fund VII concluded an agreement with Linde AG (Munich, Germany; www.the-linde-group.com) to acquire the majority of Linde’s gases business in North America and certain business activities in South America.
With approximately 5,100 employees, the acquired North and South American companies generated 2017 revenues of $1.7 billion (€1.4 billion) and EBITDA of just over $360 million (€305 million). The purchase price of $3.3 billion (€2.8 billion) will be subject to customary adjustments at closing. The transaction is subject to the completion of the planned merger of the two industrial gases firms, Praxair and Linde, and the approval by the relevant
“In creating this strategic partnership, we are seizing a unique opportunity to return to the North and South American markets and create a global player in the industrial gases sector,” said Stefan Messer, owner and CEO of the Messer Group, with headquarters in Bad Soden, Germany. In the course of its restructuring in 2004, the Messer Group sold its North American holdings to the French Air Liquide SA. “Through our industry expertise and strong engineering and application know-how, as well as the operational expertise and global network provided by CVC, we will continue to grow the acquired businesses together with its highly experienced and motivated employees.”