Linde plc, a global industrial gas and engineering company, is the world's largest industrial gas company. Formed under the laws of Ireland, with principal offices in the United Kingdom and United States, Linde produces atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases) and process gases (carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, and acetylene). Linde also designs and builds gas production equipment and offers gas production and processing services such as olefin plants, natural gas plants, air separation plants, and hydrogen and synthesis gas plants. Linde serves diverse industries, including healthcare, chemicals and energy, manufacturing, metals and mining, food and beverage, and electronics.

Linde's competitive advantage stems from its pipeline networks, enabling reliable and economic product supply to large customers, and its non-cryogenic air separation technologies, which open new markets and optimize production capacity. The company's global presence includes operations in approximately 45 European, Middle Eastern, and African countries; 20 Asian and South Pacific countries; and 20 North and South American countries. Linde also holds equity method investments in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

• Employees: 66,323 (as of December 31, 2023)
• Geographic Footprint: Operates in over 85 countries across Americas, EMEA, and APAC
• Headquarters: Woking, United Kingdom and Danbury, Connecticut, United States
• Founded: Not specified in filing
• Number of locations/facilities: Approximately 835 production facilities globally
• Revenue: $32.854 billion (FY2023)
• Market Capitalization: Approximately $186 billion (as of June 30, 2023)
• Key Subsidiaries/Brands: Linde Inc., Linde GmbH, Linde Engineering, nexAir LLC, White Martins

• CEO: Sanjiv Lamba (since March 1, 2022)
• CFO: Matthew J. White (since October 2018)
• Board Chairman: Stephen F. Angel
• Other Key Executives: Guillermo Bichara (Chief Legal Officer), Sean Durbin (Executive Vice President, North America), Kelcey E. Hoyt (Chief Accounting Officer), Juergen Nowicki (Executive Vice President and CEO, Linde Engineering), John Panikar (Executive Vice President, APAC), Oliver Pfann (Senior Vice President, EMEA), David P. Strauss (Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer)

• Annual Revenue: $32.854 billion (FY2023)
• Net Income: $6.199 billion (FY2023)
• Market Cap: $186 billion (as of June 30, 2023)
• Total Assets: $80.811 billion (FY2023)
• Number of employees: 66,323 (as of December 31, 2023)
• Key Financial Highlights (FY2023): Sales decreased 2% YoY, operating profit increased 49% YoY, net income increased 49% YoY, and cash flow from operations increased to $9.305 billion

Linde primarily operates in two segments: industrial gases and engineering.

• Industrial Gases: This segment focuses on the production and distribution of atmospheric gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, rare gases) and process gases (carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, electronic gases, specialty gases, acetylene). Distribution methods include on-site supply, merchant or bulk liquid delivery, and packaged or cylinder gases.
• Engineering: This segment designs, engineers, and constructs turnkey process plants for third-party customers and internal use. These plants cover various applications, including air separation, hydrogen production, synthesis gas production, olefin plants, and natural gas plants.

Linde operates globally through three reportable segments based on geography:

• Americas: $14.304 billion in revenue (FY2023)
• EMEA: $8.542 billion in revenue (FY2023)
• APAC: $6.559 billion in revenue (FY2023)
• Engineering: $2.160 billion in revenue (FY2023)
• Other: $1.289 billion in revenue (FY2023)

Linde's growth strategy focuses on leveraging its global presence and diverse end-markets. Key initiatives include:

• Expanding market share in existing and new markets, particularly in high-growth regions like Asia.
• Investing in research and development to create innovative technologies and applications for industrial gases, especially in clean energy and carbon management solutions.
• Optimizing production and distribution networks to enhance efficiency and lower costs, including through the use of non-cryogenic air separation technologies.
• Pursuing strategic acquisitions and joint ventures to expand geographic reach and product offerings.
• Focusing on digitalization and automation to improve plant efficiency and customer service.
• Managing risk related to energy costs and raw material availability through contractual agreements and diversification of sources.

Linde operates in the highly competitive industrial gases and engineering industries. Key competitors include L'Air Liquide S.A., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Messer Group GmbH, and Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation. The industry is influenced by global and regional economic conditions, energy prices, and technological advancements. Linde aims to maintain its leadership position by focusing on innovation, efficiency, and customer relationships.

• Weakening economic conditions: Downturns in key customer industries (chemicals, metals, energy) could reduce demand and impair customer payment ability.
• Energy and raw material costs/supply disruption: Fluctuations in energy prices and disruptions in raw material supply could impact profitability and sales.
• International operations risks: Currency exchange rate fluctuations, political and economic instability, and trade restrictions could negatively affect international operations.
• Cybersecurity threats: System failures, network disruptions, and data breaches could disrupt operations and lead to financial and reputational damage.
• Acquisition integration challenges: Difficulties in integrating acquired companies could hinder the realization of anticipated synergies and benefits.