Praxair Distribution acquired Hobart Industrial Gases and Supplies in a mid-October transaction.

Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Hobart is a supplier of packaged industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding equipment, supplies and services.

“This acquisition provides a great opportunity to integrate the strengths and skills of Hobart with those of Praxair,” Wayne Yakich, president of Praxair Distribution, said in a statement. “This will also provide a solid foundation for the growth of our business throughout the Indiana-Ohio region.”

Yakich pointed to two other recent acquisitions that have expanded Praxair's customer-service base in North America: A-1 Welding Products, with two locations in North Dakota, and S-L Liquid of Woodbridge, Ontario.

“Each of these companies has built excellent relationships in the communities they serve,” said Yakich.

Praxair Distribution is a supplier of industrial and specialty gases, equipment and supplies, technical expertise, and services.