BOCHUM, Germany, August 27 /PRNewswire/ -- GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft has further strengthened its Refrigeration Division through the acquisition of the International Cooling Group (ICG), headquartered at Fareham near Southampton, UK. ICG manufactures evaporators and condensers for the industrial refrigeration markets under the brand names Searle, Raffel and Dawmec. In 2007 ICG generated sales of approximately 70 Mio. EUR with 500 employees. The transaction will take effect after approval from the German Federal Cartel Office.

"ICG represents an excellent, profitable, technological and geographical extension of our refrigeration product range. The acquisition will strengthen the competitiveness and the position of GEA's Refrigeration Division in Europe and provides further significant synergy effects," commented Niels Graugaard, member of the Executive Board of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft.

In 2008 ICG is already the 7th acquisition contributing to GEA Group's successful external growth strategy. Therewith acquired sales add up to over EUR 160 million this year.

The companies of GEA's Refrigeration Division design, engineer, manufacture, install and maintain innovative refrigeration components and systems based on quality, reliability and total cost of ownership for customers for whom industrial refrigeration is an essential part of their primary process. GEA Refrigeration employs approximately 3,300 people in more than 45 companies worldwide.

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is an international technology group that focuses on the specialty mechanical engineering areas of process technology and components. Consolidated sales were EUR 5.2 billion in 2007. More than 50 per cent of GEA's sales are delivered into the fast growing food and beverage industry. The company's workforce comprised over 20,000 employees as of June 30, 2008. The GEA Group is a market and technology leader in 90 percent of its business areas. GEA Group is listed in the German MDAX share index (G1A, WKN 660200).

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft Contact: Tel: +49-234-980-1081 Fax: +49-234-980-1087 http://www.geagroup.com

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft Contact: Tel: +49-234-980-1081, Fax: +49-234-980-1087