Air Liquide Announces the Acquisition PDP Couriers

CRYO International, an Air Liquide group subsidiary specializing in temperature-controlled1 logistics solutions, has just acquired PDP Couriers, a major player in the customized transport of high value- added products for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Based in the UK, PDP Couriers has over 120 employees at 14 locations worldwide. The company generated revenues of approximately €21M in 2015. PDP Couriers has grown significantly in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia over the past few years.

Safety, punctuality and reliability are key in the transport sector for temperature-sensitive samples and products in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the clinical research area. PDP Couriers is one of the specialists in this sector with an international presence.

This acquisition is a new phase in the strategy initiated in the past few years by CRYO International, whose goal is to be able to offer its customers innovative and customized temperature-controlled logistics solutions anywhere in the world.

Guy Salzgeber, Senior Vice-President, Europe Industries, and a member of the Air Liquide group’s Executive Committee, commented: “Cryo International illustrates the Group’s intention to seize growth opportunities in adjacent markets. The acquisition of PDP Couriers is very much in line with this approach. We are delighted to welcome these new employees to Air Liquide.”

Cédric Picaud, Chief Executive Officer of CRYO International, added: “With this acquisition we are combining our know-how in CARBOGLACE and temperature-controlled solutions with a premium logistics service. This expansion in our activities supports the geographical growth of our customers and their need for services with increased added value.”

What is CARBOGLACE
CARBOGLACE (or dry ice) is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). Its temperature of -78°c is ideal for maintaining the integrity of sensitive products over several days. CARBOGLACE is used widely for transport and logistics in the pharmaceutical and agri-food industries, within the Group’s Industrial Merchant Business Line.

About CRYO International
CRYO International is the parent company of CRYO EXPRESS. For more than 15 years, CRYO EXPRESS, a temperature-controlled solutions specialist, has been supplying cryogenic products (CARBOGLACE, liquid nitrogen) and offering customized logistics solutions for transporting pharmaceutical and agri-food industry samples and products, while also meeting cold chain requirements. For more information, visit www.cryoexpress.com

About Air Liquide
World leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with more than 50,000 employees and serves more than 2 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s ambition is to be the leader in its industry, delivering long-term performance and acting responsibly.

Air Liquide ideas create value over the long term. At the core of the company’s development are the commitment and constant inventiveness of its people.

Air Liquide anticipates the challenges of its markets, invests locally and globally, and delivers high-quality solutions to its customers and patients, and the scientific community.

The company relies on competitiveness in its operations, targeted investments in growing markets and innovation to deliver profitable growth over the long-term.

Air Liquide’s revenues amounted to €15.4B in 2014, and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. 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.