Alstom and Schneider Electric are considering making a joint bid for Areva T&D

Schneider Electric and Alstom are considering making a joint offer to acquire Areva Transmission and Distribution (T&D), recently put up for sale by its parent company. In order to achieve this, Alstom and Schneider Electric would create a common structure which would bid for Areva T&D and, if this offer is accepted, would ultimately transfer the transmission activities to Alstom and the distribution activities to Schneider Electric. Such a transfer of activities would have no social consequences.

This offer will optimise the strategic, industrial and commercial strengths that both Alstom and Schneider can bring to each of the two areas of T&D and maximise the value of the business. This offer would consequently be more attractive for the vendor.

 The high voltage Transmission (T) part of Areva T&D is very close to Alstoms own activities in power generation. Alstom will bring to Areva T&D its expertise and knowledge in power networks and automated systems, its know-how in the management of large projects and the full benefit of Alstoms worldwide commercial network which is particularly focused on power generation utilities, the primary market for high voltage activities.

The medium voltage Distribution (D) part of Areva T&D is a business in which Schneider Electric is very active and that it would like to reinforce. Schneider Electric would bring to Areva T&D its considerable technical and operational strengths in automation and medium voltage, its worldwide sales network, as well as a complementary access to Industry, Building and Infrastructures , major markets for medium voltage activities.

This consolidation around two major worldwide industrial groups, specialised in their own fields, would represent a considerable development opportunity for Areva T&Ds employees.

About Alstom
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, and provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions, equipment and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind. The Group employs more than 80,000 people in 70 countries, and had orders of 24.6 billion in 2008/09. www.alstom.com

About Schneider 

Electric As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centres/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company's 114,000 employees achieved sales of more than 18.3 billion euros in 2008, through an active commitment to help individuals and organisations Make the most of their energy.
www.schneider-electric.com

Press Contact Alstom
Philippe Kasse, Stéphane Farhi (Corporate)
Tel : + 33 (0) 1 41 49 29 82 / 33 08
philippe.kasse@chq.alstom.com
stephane.farhi@chq.alstom.com

Investor Relations Alstom
Emmanuelle Châtelain
Tel : + 33 (0)1 41 49 37 38
emmanuelle.chatelain@chq.alstom.com

Investor Relations Schneider Electric
Carina Ho
Tél. : +33 (0) 1 41 29 83 29
Fax : +33 (0) 1 41 29 71 42
www.schneider-electric.com
ISIN : FR0000121972

Press Contact Schneider Electric
Véronique Roquet-Montégon
Tél. : +33 (0)1 41 29 70 76
Fax : +33 (0)1 41 29 88 14

Press Contact DGM
Michel Calzaroni
Olivier Labesse
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Fax : +33 (0)1 40 70 90 46