Apria Snaps Up Praxair’s U.S. Home Care Biz

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — After Praxair stated in December
intentions to sell its U.S. home care
division, the companies announced Wednesday that Apria
Healthcare will acquire those assets. The acquisition will expand
Apria’s respiratory services footprint and enhance its managed care
service capabilities, according to a release. Terms of the deal,
which is expected to close in the first quarter, were not
disclosed.

Part of the company’s North American health care business,
Praxair’s U.S. home care division, based in Danbury, Conn., has 85
branches in 27 states and employs 1,100. The largest industrial
gases company in North and South America with sales of $10 billion,
Praxair will continue to supply the home care market in other
countries.

“The acquisition expands Apria’s service offering in several key
states and enhances our prospects for both traditional and managed
care growth in future years,” said Norman C. Payson, MD, Apria’s
chairman and CEO. The giant provider currently has more than 500
locations with $2 billion in annual revenue.