Livingstone Guides Germany's GOFA to U.S. Hands

August 2011

Livingstone, the leading independent, international investment banking firm, advised the shareholders of specialty vehicle manufacturer GOFA Gocher Fahrzeugbau GmbH (“GOFA”) on the sale of the company to Chart Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTLS) (“Chart”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Goch, Germany, GOFA designs, manufactures, sells, and services cryogenic and non-cryogenic mobile equipment throughout Europe. Since 1962, GOFA has supplied customers in the industrial gas, energy, chemical, liquid, and dry bulk sectors. GOFA projects its full-year 2011 revenues to be €22 million.

GOFA's cryogenic mobile business completes Chart's European liquefied natural gas (LNG) product offering, allowing for comprehensive LNG product solutions. The acquisition includes all products and services sold under the GOFA global brand. GOFA will operate in Chart's Distribution and Storage (D&S) business segment.

Tom Carey, President of Chart’s D&S business segment, stated: "GOFA's products and strong customer relationships are an exciting addition to the Chart D&S portfolio. GOFA has excellent sales and service capabilities in a region in which we are enthusiastic about expanding our presence. We look forward to leveraging GOFA's portfolio of mobile equipment in improving our cryogenic distribution solutions worldwide."

Ralph Hagelgans, Partner at Livingstone Dusseldorf commented: “It was a pleasure to advise the shareholders of GOFA on this successful transaction. Livingstone again demonstrated the ability to complete a complex Trans-Atlantic sale transaction with an international acquirer, while also helping craft a succession solution for the company and its employees.”

Karl Freimuth, Vice President at Livingstone Chicago who worked closely with the firm’s Dusseldorf team, said: “There is significant global strategic appetite for niche market leading businesses, and we are pleased to have accessed that universe on behalf of GOFA.”

In the last 6 months, Livingstone has completed several successful sales of niche privately-held companies to global strategic acquirers, including the sales of Goose Island Beer Co. to Anheuser-Busch InBev, Lincat Group plc to The Middleby Corporation, and Dispensing Solutions Inc. to PSS World Medical, Inc.

For further information please contact:
Karl Freimuth
T: 312 670 5905
E: freimuth@livingstonepartners.com