Air Liquide Becomes a Major Player in the UK Homecare Market
After entering the UK homecare and medical gases market in May with the acquisition of
Linde UK, Air Liquide goes a step further with the acquisition of the respiratory
homecare business of Allied Healthcare for approximately 51 million in cash, thus
giving the Group a national footprint in the growing British market.
In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) has required an increased quality in
homecare services, thus attracting Air Liquide's interest. Today, patients in Britain are
mainly treated for COPD in their home. In other European countries, the Group has
developed an enlarged offer covering more treatments, respiratory or not, in the same
home setting. Allied Healthcare grew a respiratory homecare business serving 14,000
patients.
With this acquisition, the combined Air Liquide businesses will serve over 20,000
patients in England and Northern Ireland, particularly in the densely populated area of
the South East, with homecare sales of around ��34 million.
Commenting on these acquisitions, Jean-Marc de Royere, Senior Vice-President
in charge of the Healthcare World Business Line and member of the Executive
Committee of the Air Liquide Group, declared: "This acquisition is an excellent
base for Air Liquide - which now becomes number two in the British market -
to further develop homecare services across the country. It fits exceptionally
well in our homecare plan to implement an extensive network in the growing
European markets, to the benefit of our customers."
