London-headquartered chemicals company Linde has called on Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría (Colombia) for its acquisition of the Colombian operations of Canada’s Maple Respiratory, in a deal worth 220 billion pesos (US$56 million).
Latin Lawyer understands the seller, US company Donnie, relied on Mosquera Abogados for the deal but could not confirm this before publishing.
The transaction closed on 21 December.
Linde made the acquisition through its Colombian subsidiary, Oxígenos de Colombia, which is present in 11 locations across the country. With the acquisition of Maple Respiratory’s Colombian operations, the buyer gains all of that company’s 250 medical professionals, technicians and assistants.
The acquisition strengthens Linde’s presence in the Latin American chemical gas industry, where it produces and distributes chemicals and gas used in the healthcare industry. The company also produces hydrogen for clean fuels.
In addition to Colombia, the company operates in twelve other Latin American countries including Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
The deal is the latest in a string of recent cross-border transactions in Latin America’s medical sector. Earlier this month, German healthcare provider Fresenius Medical Care divested its Argentine operations to local healthcare-focused investor Grupo Olmos. This came two months after, Brazilian digital healthcare group Conexa merged its operations with Portuguese counterpart Zenklub.
Founded in Germany in 1879, Linde produces medical oxygen for the healthcare sector, among other gases and chemicals. In 2018, the company merged with US counterpart Praxair, which also saw the incorporation of Praxair’s Colombian subsidiary Oxígenos de Colombia. In 2022, the company recorded sales of US$33 billion.
Calgary-headquartered Maple Respiratory provides diagnosis, treatment and education services to people suffering from cardiorespiratory disorders. The company first launched its Colombian operations in 2012. Since then, it has provided services to over 20,000 patients in that country.
Counsel to Linde
Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría (Colombia)
Partners Hernando Padilla, Héctor Ramirez, Diego Cardona, and associates Natalia Velasco, Daniel Stand, Alejandra Alvarez-Correa and Natalia Castilla
