Linde Canada, subsidiary of the German gases and engineering group, has acquired shares in two Canadian companies, Oxygene Sorel-Tracy (OST) and Soudure Industrielle du Richlieu Metropolitain (SIRM).

Both companies are based at Sorel-Tracy in Quebec, from where they have supplied industrial gases (OST), welding equipment and services (SIRM) to local companies for several decades.

Chris Ebert, vice president and general manager of Linde Canada, said the deal gives the company an extended presence in this part of Quebec as well as a competitive edge in serving industrial customers in that area.

Linde Canada specializes in industrial, medical and specialty gases as well as welding and cutting equipment and safety supplies and markets the products through more than 70 stores throughout the country as well as through its e-commerce platform.