Air Liquide buys materials rival

January 20, 2004 – Air Liquide SA has acquired most of the assets of German industrial materials company Messer Griesheim GmbH for roughly $1.8 billion, according to wire reports.

The deal involves Messer’s operations in the US, UK, and Germany, which generated about $1.28 billion in revenue in 2003, roughly 70% of the company’s global revenue. Air Liquide said it would turn around and sell off parts of the Messer business, representing about 20% of the overall sales.

It’s the second time Air Liquide has attempted a big acquisition — a potential deal with Air Products to buy BOC was blocked in 2000 due to FTC regulatory concerns.

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