A global industrial gases company, which supplies specialty gases used in heat treatment, recently announced expansions in its U.S. investments through acquisitions and new construction.
Messer Group GmbH, based in Bad Soden, Germany, and CVC Capital Partners Fund VII (London, UK) completed the acquisition of certain gases businesses in North and South America from UK-based Linde plc, launching a new name in the Americas market: Messer Americas, offering largely the same products and services.
“In creating this strategic partnership, we are seizing a unique opportunity to return to the North and South American markets,” said Stefan Messer, owner and CEO of Messer Group GmbH. “This will turn Messer into a global player in this sector and consolidate its position as the largest family-run industrial gases specialist worldwide. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We intend to fully integrate the joint venture into the family-run Messer Group within a few years. In the medium term, we want to use the merger of the two companies to become a global player again with a presence in the relevant industrial gases markets.”
In addition, Messer is investing in the construction of a new CO2 plant in Keyes, California. With an output of 450 tons of carbon dioxide a day, the plant will supply numerous companies in northern California and surrounding areas. Start-up is planned for the end of 2019.
“This investment represents our commitment to strategic US expansion to meet growing market demand,” said Jens Luehring, President and CEO of Messer Americas. “We’re dedicated to providing a reliable supply of industrial gases to our customers and look forward to breaking ground on this plant to further meet that need.”
Messer currently operates two CO2 plants and two air separation units in California.
