Linde Canada Ltd. acquires Calgary gases and equipment distributor

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, March 12, 2014 /CNW/ - Linde Canada Ltd. has acquired Cen-Alta Welding Supplies Ltd., an independent industrial gases equipment distributor headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

Linde Canada is an affiliate of Linde North America, Inc., and a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company. Cen-Alta Welding Supplies, Ltd, established in 1983, is a distributor of cutting and welding gases and equipment serving customers in central and southern Alberta.

Chris Ebeling, vice president and general manager for Linde Canada, said, "Cen-Alta is highly recognized for exceptional customer service and responsiveness to customer issues. The acquisition of Cen-Alta Welding strengthens Linde Canada's position in this important market, which is a key part of our overall Canadian growth strategy."

Cen-Alta Welding serves customers in the oil and gas, agriculture and construction industries from central Alberta to the U.S. border. The company operates branches in Calgary and Red Deer. Linde Canada operates a gases fill plant and a sales branch in Calgary, a combination fill plant/branch in Edmonton and four additional branches in Alberta.

Linde Canada specializes in industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as welding and cutting equipment and safety supplies. The company markets these products through over 70 stores located throughout Canada or online via our e-commerce site at shop.lindecanada.com.

This acquisition will also allow Cen-Alta Welding cylinder gas customers to access Linde Canada's Individual Cylinder Control (ICC) service, which offers a professional approach to cylinder tracking and management that saves customers both time and money. ICC is able to track back cylinders to their original account holder even if returned via another company. "This service can potentially save customers thousands of dollars in lost cylinder charges," Ebeling said.

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with approximately 63,000 employees in more than 100 countries. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn (CAD 19.63 bn). The strategy of The Group is focused on long-term profitable growth and the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The Linde Group is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at http://www.linde.com.

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SOURCE: Linde Canada Ltd.

Juliana Caporali, Communications Lead, Linde Canada Ltd., 908-464-8100

http://www.lindecanada.com

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