Linde AG resume merger talks with Praxair, Inc., CEO resigns
MUNICH – The Executive Board of Linde AG has decided to resume talks over the terms of a potential merger of equals between the company and American company Praxair, Inc., after consulting with the Supervisory Board.
At the same time Dr. Wolfgang Büchele, Chief Executive Officer of Linde, has offered to resign his mandate. The Supervisory Board has accepted this request and appointed Professor Dr. Aldo Belloni to succeed him as Chief Executive Officer. Belloni, who served on the Executive Board of Linde from 2000 to 2014, will take up office on Dec. 8. His appointment runs to the end of 2018.
“With the resumption of the talks, a successful merger is now drawing near,” Dr. Wolfgang Büchele said. “I have already set a course for my own future and with this step I am acting in the best interest of the company. With a succession plan in place, the necessary continuity is assured without interruption for the demanding tasks of the coming months. I am very pleased that, with the resumption of the merger talks, Linde’s leading global role is close at hand.”
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