French State's Rescue Bid for Atos' Strategic Activities
The troubled digital services group Atos revealed that it has received a non-binding offer from the French State, aiming to acquire the company's strategic and sensitive operations such as supercomputers used for nuclear deterrence and cybersecurity products. The French Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, emphasized the importance of these assets for national sovereignty and defense, stating they must remain under France's exclusive control.
The potential transaction, valued at 700 million euros, targets 100% control over Atos' Advanced Computing, Mission-Critical Systems, and Cybersecurity Products divisions within its Big Data & Cybersecurity (BDS) sector. Despite being at the low end of the initially estimated price range of 700 million to 1 billion euros, this offer reflects the state's commitment to retaining control over critical technological resources.
Atos' board of directors, supervised by conciliator Hélène Bourbouloux, along with the company's management, are set to evaluate this proposal. They have cautioned that there's no guarantee of a conclusive agreement emerging from these negotiations. The intention behind the state's bid is to shield these crucial activities from potentially falling into foreign hands, thus preserving France's strategic autonomy.
Parallel to the state's offer, Atos has confirmed its goal to finalize a financial restructuring agreement with the Onepoint consortium and its creditors by July. This restructuring will be facilitated through a specialized accelerated procedure. This move signifies a balanced effort to stabilize the company financially while safeguarding its critical assets.
- It is imperative for Atos to navigate these negotiations carefully, ensuring that the strategic interests of France are upheld while securing its financial stability. The company's collaboration with the Onepoint consortium highlights a dual approach towards restructuring and maintaining the integrity of its essential operations.
- David Layani, CEO of Onepoint, underscored the importance of protecting the ultra-sensitive assets of Atos. Following the consortium’s success in acquiring Atos, Layani assured that they would remain vigilant to prevent undervaluing these significant assets during the transition. This stance aligns with the state's broader objective of ensuring national security and sovereignty.
