Paris-based electrical distributor Rexel confirmed that it will keep its bid of & euro; 4.85 per share for Dutch rival Hagemeyer NV, a total of about & euro; 3.1 billion (US$4.5 billion). Analysts had questioned whether the company would move ahead with its takeover bid or reduce the offer after Hagemeyer was ordered to pay & euro; 50 million in advance damages over the bankruptcy of a former subsidiary.
Ingersoll-Rand Company Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda, has agreed to acquire Trane Inc., formerly American Standard Companies Inc., Piscataway, NJ, for $10.1 billion, including the assumption of $150 million of Trane net debt. Trane is a manufacturer of indoor climate control systems with expected 2007 sales of $7.4 billion.
