Air Liquide Acquires Malaysian Firm Southern Industrial Gases

With an aim to strengthen Air Liquide’s presence in the Malaysian market, the company has taken over the industrial gas major, Southern Industrial Gases. The move is expected to double Air Liquide’s packaged gases filling capacity in the Southeast Asian country.

Paris/France – Air Liquide has announced the acquisition of a key Malaysian industrial gas player Southern Industrial Gases Sdn Bhd. Finalised recently, this operation doubles Air Liquide’s packaged gases filling capacity in Malaysia. It is expected to deliver significant synergies by enlarging the firm’s footprint and providing Air Liquide with a geographical density across most of Malaysia.

Southern Industrial Gases Sdn Bhd is a former subsidiary of Sig Gas Berhad, which is listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange. The company is one of the key industrial gas players in the Malaysian market, generating approximately 22 million dollars (80 million Malaysian ringgits) in revenue annually. With more than 200 employees, it has eight manufacturing and refilling facilities locations across Malaysia, with a distribution network that covers all of Malaysia’s key industrial basins.

Air Liquide began operating in Malaysia in 1927. Its presence in the country now includes all industrial gas activities, a Smart Innovative Operations Centre as well as shared services which serve Asia and the Pacific Regions. In 2016, Air Liquide Malaysia reinforced its position in the industrial merchant business with the acquisition of a distributor located in the Kuala Lumpur region. The acquisition which was finalised recently placed Air Liquide in an even stronger position to serve its customers in the country.

Francois Abrial, member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee supervising Asia Pacific, commented: "This acquisition will enable us to strengthen our activities in Malaysia, with a reinforced network that will drive sustainable growth and deliver innovative solutions for industrial gas customers across Malaysia. We look forward to the integration of Southern Industrial Gases Sdn Bhd into Air Liquide Malaysia and we are confident that we can continue to drive value for our customers and create opportunities for our employees."