On March 7, 2007, technology company The Linde Group sold its British subsidiary Linde Gas UK Limited to the worldwide industrial and medical gases company Air Liquide. The sale was one of the antitrust conditions imposed by the European Commission for the acquisition of The BOC Group plc by Linde, and relates to Linde's non-BOC gas activities in the UK.
Currently employing 280 staff, Linde Gas UK generated sales of approximately EUR 60 million in the 2006 financial year. The sale, which remains subject to clearance by the competent authorities, involved an enterprise value of EUR 105 million.
WilmerHale regularly advises Linde on matters regarding competition law and merger control. In previous months, WilmerHale has advised and represented Linde on its acquisition of The BOC Group plc and Spectra Gases Inc., as well as the disposal of BOC Gazy Sp. z o.o., KION GmbH and the components division of subsidiary BOC Edwards. In addition, WilmerHale assisted Linde in the realignment of its various joint ventures in Asia.
In the disposal of Linde Gas UK, Linde was advised on merger control issues by Berlin partner Ulrich Quack as well as the associates Dr. Alexander Jüngling and Christian Wörz from the Berlin office.