GDF Suez renamed “Engie” – Les Echos

The group officially announced this morning its new name, chosen because it evokes energy and can be pronounced in all languages.

The new name of GDF Suez is now known: it will be “Engie”. Gérard Mestrallet, CEO of the group, announced to all employees on Friday late morning, before official at a press conference, during which was also unveiled the campaign accompany the launch of this new name and the new logo. “It looks to the future,” commented Gérard Mestrallet told reporters. “The world of energy is changing, this name is part of the new business plan, intended to adapt the group to change.” The group chose the name because it evokes the energy sector and can be understood by everyone, in all cultures, explained the CEO.

From that day, the name and GDF Suez logo will disappear to make way for “Engie”. The new logo, “Blue 100% cyan” soon replace the old this weekend, the towers of the group, the center of Saint-Denis, or its Brussels building. Eventually, the new name is intended to replace all brands of the group, yet many today as Cofely and Electrabel. “In different countries, it would surely be better to take a single flag,” acknowledged Gérard Mestrallet. “But we want to open the discussion with the managers of each entity.”

The revelation of the name was quick to raise some fun comments on social networks, in reference to the famous song by the Rolling Stones.

The CGT just issued a statement regretting that “ after creating the conditions to absorb the activities and employees of the former Gaz de France, GDF Suez draws a line under the name, history, culture and human capital provided by the expertise of Gaz de France . ”

A major reorganization

In fact, it is a highly symbolic step for the energy company born from mergers successive, whose current name comes from the marriage of GDF, former Gaz de France with Suez, in 2008. In eliminating any reference to the two old names, the group this time really turns the page of the merger. It’s Suez Environnement, which will retain the name Suez group, which has just revised its entire brand architecture, has finally decided to keep the name unique brand while consider dropping.

While Mestrallet must give way to Isabelle Kocher in May 2016, at the end of his term, the group announced a major reorganization in late March, to reflect its new strategy: become the leader of the energy transition in Europe and the leading energy in growing countries. And, while the gas sector face a serious crisis of growth in Europe, due to the decline in consumption and competition renewable and US coal.

It is also to be more agile and closer to customers and territories: the new brand would be declined in the various entities of the group. Engie will now be organized into 24 “business units”, mainly geographical, who will report to five operational deputy directors. This new organization should be operational in early 2016.