‘The board of directors of Alstom announced on Wednesday that it has received a binding offer from General Electric (GE) to acquire its energy activities. The proposed price is a fixed price representing an equity value of euro 12.35 billion,’ Alstom said in a statement.
The scope of the proposed GE transaction includes the thermal power, renewable power and grid sectors, as well as corporate and shared services. Proceeds from the sale will be used mainly to expand the company’s transport business.
‘Should this offer be approved and completed, Alstom would refocus on its transport activities, for which it is a global leader. Alstom would use the sale proceeds to strengthen its transport business and give it the means of an ambitious development, pay down its debt and return cash to its shareholders,’ the company statement said.
Alstom, with 65,000 employees, registered sales of 14.8 billion euros in fiscal 2012-13 from the power business. The Alstom board has decided to set up a committee of independent directors, led by Jean-Martin Folz, to review the proposed transaction with GE before the end of May, taking into consideration the interests of all stakeholders, including the French State.
‘The combination of the businesses of Alstom and GE would create a more competitive entity to better service customer needs. The proposed transaction would allow Alstom to develop its transport business as a standalone company, with a strong balance sheet to capitalise on opportunities in the dynamic rail transport market,’ Patrick Kron, Chairman and CEO of Alstom, said in the statement.
The scope of the proposed GE transaction includes the thermal power, renewable power and grid sectors, as well as corporate and shared services. Proceeds from the sale will be used mainly to expand the company’s transport business.
‘Should this offer be approved and completed, Alstom would refocus on its transport activities, for which it is a global leader. Alstom would use the sale proceeds to strengthen its transport business and give it the means of an ambitious development, pay down its debt and return cash to its shareholders,’ the company statement said.
Alstom, with 65,000 employees, registered sales of 14.8 billion euros in fiscal 2012-13 from the power business. The Alstom board has decided to set up a committee of independent directors, led by Jean-Martin Folz, to review the proposed transaction with GE before the end of May, taking into consideration the interests of all stakeholders, including the French State.
‘The combination of the businesses of Alstom and GE would create a more competitive entity to better service customer needs. The proposed transaction would allow Alstom to develop its transport business as a standalone company, with a strong balance sheet to capitalise on opportunities in the dynamic rail transport market,’ Patrick Kron, Chairman and CEO of Alstom, said in the statement.