GERMANY - Financial investors eye European forklift group

According to press reports the world's fifth largest specialist industrial gas supplier, Linde AG, is planning to sell its forklift division in order to focus on its core activities. The sale of Gabelstaplersparte, which is estimated to be valued at more than EUR 3bn is likely to attract interest from international private equity groups Apax Partners, BC Partners, Blackstone, Cinven, CVC, KKR and Permira. The proceeds from the transaction are intended to facilitate in part the acquisition of UK industrial gas supplier BOC for EUR 12bn.