Mumbai: Atlas Copco Group has acquired Mafi-Trench Corporation, a leading US-based supplier of turbo expanders for the oil and gas industry.

Mafi-Trench has a small presence in India and the company is evaluating the options for integration of this unit with its Indian operations, Atlas Copco India Ltd said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

The impact of this acquisition on the operations of the Indian company, however, is not material, the statement added. The statement also did not detail the cost of acquisition.

Mafi-Trench provides oil field machinery, including expander compressors and expander generators, which treat gases at cryogenic temperatures. These machines have applications in the hydrocarbon markets, including natural gas processing, petrochemicals and power generation.

The company had 2006 sales of approximately $54 million and more than 120 employees.

"The acquisition of Mafi-Trench will add a strong brand name to the group and broaden our offering for gas treatment and purification," said Ronnie Leten, president of the company''s compressor technique business. "This gives us a solid presence in the entire oil and gas value chain, from upstream to downstream," he added.

"Privately-owned Mafi-Trench is headquartered in Santa Maria, California and also has operations in India. Post acquisition, the company will be merged with Atlas Copco''s gas and process division, which is part of the compressor technique business area.

The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of the current year.

Atlas Copco is a leading provider of industrial productivity solutions the world over. The group offers products and services ranging from compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems.

The Group''s global reach spans more than 150 markets. In 2006, Atlas Copco had revenues of 5.6 billion euros and 25 900 employees at year-end.

With customers worldwide, Atlas Copco is a local company; at the same time, the group is a global enterprise with worldwide resources.