Air Liquide : Home Healthcare Acquisitions in Poland

Regulatory News :

Poland is one of the largest countries in the European Union, with steady economic growth. It offers development opportunities in industrial and healthcare markets. In this context, Air Liquide (Paris:AI) is expanding its home healthcare activity in this country with the acquisition of two companies: HELP! and Ventamed.

These acquisitions will enable Air Liquide to provide its home healthcare services nationwide to patients who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, or conditions requiring mechanical ventilation.

Founded twenty years ago, HELP! is a specialist in home respiratory healthcare and the leader of home-based ventilation in Poland, covering most of the Polish Counties. Ventamed also specializes in home ventilation services. It covers the western part of the country.

Together, the two companies have around 20 employees.

With these two acquisitions, Air Liquide becomes one of the key players in the home healthcare market in Poland.

Pascal Vinet, Vice President, Healthcare Global Operations and member of the Air Liquide Group Executive Committee, commented: "Since 2005, Air Liquide has been developing its home healthcare activity in Poland, with services for patients suffering from sleep apnea or requiring long-term oxygen therapy. We will now benefit from the expertise and commitment of HELP! and Ventamed's teams. These two acquisitions give us a leadership position in the segment of home ventilation and reinforce our presence in Eastern Europe.”

Air Liquide in Poland
Founded in 1995, Air Liquide Poland employs more than 300 people. Present in Poland’s major industrial regions, Air Liquide supplies a number of industries such as aeronautics, automotive, food & beverages, chemicals, defense, electronics, energy, metallurgy, mining, metal fabrication and also healthcare customers.

Air Liquide Healthcare
Air Liquide Healthcare supplies medical gases, home healthcare services, hygiene products, medical equipment and specialty ingredients.
In 2012, it served over 7,500 hospitals and 1 million patients at home throughout the world.
The Group’s Healthcare business reached € 2,482 million in revenues in 2012, with 10,000 employees.

Home healthcare
Air Liquide, European leader and 3^rd worldwide in home healthcare, provides home healthcare services in compliance with medical prescription for patients suffering from chronic diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), sleep apnea and diabetes. These home healthcare services are being developed in addition to hospital care, enabling patients to enjoy better quality of life and local authorities to reduce costs.
Home Healthcare represents 43% of Air Liquide’s total 2012 Healthcare revenue.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with close to 50,000 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates for the good of society while delivering profitable growth and consistent performance.

Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, home healthcare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.

A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.

Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable development approach. In 2012, the Group’s revenues amounted to € 15.3 billion of which 82% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.

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