Acquisition of Saft by Total: employees of Poitiers expectantly – francetv info

Total 1 puts millard of euros on the table to buy Saft. The oil yesterday announced its merger with the group of high-tech batteries. The 550 employees of Poitiers quite optimistic but questioned the group’s strategy.

• By Hugo Lemonier
• Published May 10, 2016 at 12:41 , updated the May 10, 2016 at 13:00

© Maxppp in Bordeaux, where some laboratories of Saft are located

the oil giant Total announced yesterday in a statement a bid to take control of Saft, world leader in high technology batteries . Saft’s Supervisory Board Group has unanimously approved the merger with Total, “in the interest of the company, its shareholders and its employees .”

“We are a bit surprised by this sale” says Gilles Fouqueteau, CFDT delegate , majority union in Poitiers. “We had not heard of a project under discussion” . The union nevertheless shows optimistic: Total is a French group and is not a direct competitor of Saft. The risk of “pooling resources” often costly in terms of jobs away.

“The backing of Saft Group to Total will enable Saft to become the iron Group launches in the electricity storage industry “ , promises Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of Total, in a press release. The oil has previously acquired the US SunPower, specializing in solar energy. Saft’s acquisition therefore participate diversification of activities of the French group, which thus sets foot in renewables.

This early strategy also reassures the CGT . “But the production of batteries dedicated to solar panels represent only 5% of our production, we are also acting in defense or space should not be parceled it our business.” , warns Philippe Chaffaud, Steward to Poitiers

. “We remain very attentive: 25 jobs were relocated to the Czech Republic last year 60 were deleted on the Poitiers site since 2008.” says it

The employees will be clearer in a few weeks . a central works council to be held in early June. Further information on the strategy envisaged by the new shareholder will be communicated to them.

to convince shareholders of Saft, the Total group has made a” substantial control premium “of 38.3% on the value of Saft shares at the close on Friday. In all, the oil is going to spend almost a billion for a company that was worth 673 million traded prior to the announcement of its purchase.