DGAP-News: Linde AG: Linde CEO Dr Wolfgang Büchele will not be available for second term

DGAP-News: Linde AG / Key word(s): Change of Personnel
Linde AG: Linde CEO Dr Wolfgang Büchele will not be available for second
term

13.09.2016 / 17:37
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Munich, 13 September 2016 - The Chief Executive Officer of Linde AG, Dr
Wolfgang Büchele, has informed the company's Supervisory Board that he will
not continue in his position following the expiration of his current
employment contract in April 2017. Dr Büchele said: "My decisions at the
top of our company have always been guided by the credo to further develop
Linde as a successful, competitive, and strong global company. In my
professional career, I have always measured myself according to my ability
to attain the objectives I set for myself. Based on that, I was personally
disappointed that I could not reach the goal of creating the number one
globally. This has not been an easy decision."

The Supervisory Board of Linde AG accepts Dr Büchele's decision with deep
regret and has asked him to continue to serve in his position until his
contract expires and to assume the additional position of Labor Director.

The Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Prof. Dr Wolfgang Reitzle said: "We
respect Dr Büchele's decision and accept it with deep regret. I would like
to underscore personally that Dr Büchele and I have always worked together
with the highest degree of openness, trust and loyalty. Dr Büchele has led
the discussions regarding a potential merger with Praxair with a great
sense of responsibility and has come to the conclusion that, despite all of
the potential benefits, the interests of Linde's German presence and of a
balanced merger would not have been secured. Linde will now redouble its
focus on its core markets and expand the company's competitive position
based on its considerable inherent strengths."

A search process for a successor of Dr Büchele will be initiated
immediately in order to make a timely announcement.


About The Linde Group  
In the 2015 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of EUR 17.944
bn, making it one of the leading gases and engineering companies in the
world, with approximately 65,000 employees working in more than 100
countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards
long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its
international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde
acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees,
society and the environment in every one of its business areas, regions and
locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and
products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable
development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com 

Further information:
Media Relations
Dr Frank Herkenhoff
Phone +49.89.35757-1320

Matthias Dachwald
Phone +49.89.35757-1333

Investor Relations
Bernard Wang
Phone +49.89.35757-1328

Eva Frerker
Phone +49.89.35757-1332


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13.09.2016 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.dgap.de

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   Language:    English                                                   
   Company:     Linde AG                                                  
                Klosterhofstraße 1                                        
                80331 München                                             
                Germany                                                   
   Phone:       +49.89.35757-01                                           
   Fax:         +49.89.35757-1075                                         
   E-mail:      frank.herkenhoff@linde.com                                
   Internet:    www.linde.de                                              
   ISIN:        DE0006483001                                              
   WKN:         648300                                                    
   Indices:     DAX                                                       
   Listed:      Regulated Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime  
                Standard), Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart; Regulated          
                Unofficial Market in Hanover, Tradegate Exchange; SIX     
 
 
   End of News    DGAP News Service  
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