Business Combinations

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

In the second quarter of 2010, we entered into agreements that enabled us to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of the French SAGA group (SAGA), which consists of SAGA, SAGA Medical, and SAGA Technologies. SAGA is an independent industrial gas provider in France with packaged gases, liquid/bulk, and medical businesses. The acquisition of SAGA supports the Merchant Gases segment's integration strategy by enhancing its market position in southwest and central France. SAGA revenues for calendar year 2009 were approximately €25 million, or $35.

Under the terms of these agreements, we purchased 51.47% of the shares of SAGA on 1 March 2010 for €34.5 million or $47.2 ($25.0 net of cash acquired of $22.2). The remaining shares were purchased on 30 November 2010 for a fixed price of €44.8 million, or approximately $62. At 30 September 2010, this structure was accounted for as a financing of the purchase of the remaining shares and reported within short-term borrowings on the consolidated balance sheet.