Gaz de France and Suez- mergers and acquisition

Résumé du document

Created in the aftermath of World War II in 1946, in order to nationalize the electricity and gas on the French territory, Gaz de France initially takes the status of a public industrial and commercial (EPIC), a status that keep it until August 9, 2004, when the law 2004-803 into Limited Company.

Today, with 53,000 employees, Gaz de France is present in 9100 and serves French communes gas to 76% of the population. It has also become an international company, making 36.7% of its turnover outside France. He is qualified operator in 9 countries.
The company has the longest transport network in Europe, with 31 589 km and the longest distribution network in Europe, with 180,700 km.

In financial terms, the turnover of Gaz de France for the year 2007 was 27,427 million euros, an increase of 1.6% compared to 2006. On the other hand, with a market capitalization of 37,131 million at February 20, 2008, Gaz de France is the sixth market capitalization in the European energy sector.
For its part, the Universal Company of the Suez Maritime Canal is a much older society, created by Ferdinand de Lesseps French in 1858, in order to drill and operate the Suez Canal, completed in 1869. This initial activity is however naturally end when Nasser nationalized the canal in 1956, but due to significant compensation received, the company changed its name in 1958, and became "La Compagnie Financière de Suez".

Extraits

[...] France is no exception not the rule. In the years preceding the merger, the state had already begun in the area to limit price increases observed, favour the formation of "national champions" or encourage the implementation of energy saving and the development of 'non-polluting energy. February Dominique de Villepin, announced the privatization of the company GDF to make possible the merger of Suez with it. It is neither GDF Suez, neither Suez that announces the merger of the two companies but the French government in person. [...]

[...] According to this expert, the merger represents "an interest in France." He has a clear vision of energy: "Energy is to adapt to a changing world and the challenges of increasingly large." And it is estimated that energy level, interest is as follows: "First, the merger will significantly enhance the diversification of gas supply. Today, GDF is highly dependent on Russian gas. Adding GDF and Suez, this dependence will decrease, since with the future Suez group has access to reserves of Libya and Qatar. Equity Issues Julien Quistrebert, financial analyst, following values and Suez at Richelieu Finance. [...]

[...] These are the reasons that led to the merger of GDF / Suez. Indeed, by combining these two companies have created an energy mix allowing them to be less sensitive to fluctuations in oil prices. Thus, GDF SUEZ has a variety of means of production (renewable energy, nuclear energy, fossil fuels). The State: actor in the merger Despite opening the market to competition by the European Commission, nor France or other European countries wanted a real integrated European energy policy. [...]

[...] The financial structure of GDF-Suez fate also reinforced this process of fusion. The group now has the means to face the future with confidence. Sources Internet Sources Report of the Board of Directors of GDF merger Report of the Board of Directors of Suez merger Gazdefrance.com Latribune.fr Wikipedia.org: GDF Wikipedia.org: Suez ”Dossier of Thibault Chastan for Intelligence-eco.fr Boursier.com Challenges.fr Villages-justices.com Press Sources Problèmes économiques, July 2006, Discomfort in globalization or economic patriotism, article Elie Cohen Alternatives Economiques, n°250 September 2006, Suez-GDF: the merger in question Les Echos: Suez and Gaz de France: the merger in question Le Point: GDF Suez merger is launched Le Monde February Interview Elie Cohen: issues of the merger GDF / Suez Rue89, March Most of the fusion Le Monde Diplomatique, September Does Suez will swallow Gaz de France? [...]

[...] Presence of the group in several areas The variety of activities is strength for the group in a context of increasing European energy dependence. Indeed, for example GDF is present on the entire chain of energy (electricity and natural gas from upstream to downstream). In addition, thanks to the merger, the two companies have a diversified supply a fleet of flexible and efficient power generation and finally innovative solutions for energy competitive, reliable and sustainable individuals, businesses and local communities. The alliance GDF Suez will also be present in the nuclear industry. [...]