Stockholm, Sweden-based Atlas Copco S.A.E. Holding (Spain) finalized its acquisition of Guimera S.A., including its subsidiary S.A.M.M. S.L., both in Spain. The combined companies had annual revenues of U.S. $19.5 million in 2003 and 132 employees. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Guimera S.A. is an industrial rental company with its head office in Barcelona and seven depots, five of which are in the Catalonia region. A large part of Guimera's business is generator rental for power generation in the industrial and events markets, as well as rental of temperature control units, air compressors, welding and certain construction equipment. Guimera owns the specialty rental company, S.A.M.M. S.L., located in Tarragona, which serves the petrochemical industry by means of two depots. The company is recognized as a leader in the market for temporary power generation in Catalonia.

Guimera will operate as part of the Portable Air division within Atlas Copco's Compressor Technique business area. The acquisition is fully in line with Portable Air's strategic direction for growth of the specialty rental business. Previous acquisitions of rental companies in this division include Abird in the Netherlands and Rand-Air in South Africa in 1999.