Atlas Copco Colombia Ltda has signed an agreement to take over the sales of drilling equipment and related services from its current distributor Neumatica Del Caribe SA.

As a result of the acquisition about 15 employees will join Atlas Copco organization in Colombia. Atlas Copco currently has about 140 people in the country which is an important market for coal mining equipment.

Mr Bob Fassl President of Atlas Copco business area Mining and Rock Excavation Technique said "Colombia has grown significantly as a market for Atlas Copco in the past few years. This agreement provides an opportunity to further strengthen our local aftermarket activities and develop relations with customers in other mining segments."

The deal is expected to be closed on January 31 2012.