Danbury, Conn. Praxair Inc., a $4.8 billion industrial gases company, has acquired the home oxygen business of San Juan, Puerto Rico-based GP Industries for an undisclosed amount. In addition, Praxair hired 25 former GP Industries employees, including respiratory therapists and delivery technicians.

While health care-including helium for MRI machines, oxygen for hospitals and home care services-accounts for just 8 percent of Praxair's worldwide sales, the company is looking to grow that figure, officials said.

"This is a strategic acquisition as part of the corporation's focus on health care as a key growth area," said Robert Sheehan, president of Praxair Puerto Rico.

Praxair is a major player in the home respiratory services market in Canada via Medigas, a 46-location Canadian subsidiary. To a lesser degree, Praxair also offers respiratory home care in the United States. In early 1998, Praxair acquired Salt Lake City-based Whitmore Oxygen, a home oxygen and industrial gases provider with $34 million in annual revenue.

A company spokesman declined to comment on the status of future acquisitions of U.S.-based HME companies.-K.S.