19 French airports change of owner – The Figaro

The canadian group SNC-Lavalin has just been sold to two French partners: the business man Jean-Luc Schnoebelen and the investment fund Ciclad. Buyers are committed to ensure the sustainability of these activities.

Annecy, Chalon-sur-Saône, Nîmes… all in all, these are 19 airports hexagonal in medium-sized cities that are going to change hands. The canadian group SNC-Lavalin has just been sold, for a price not disclosed, the two French partners: the business man Jean-Luc Schnoebelen and the investment fund Ciclad, gathered together in a common society, Edeis. The buyers also put the hand on the activities of operation and maintenance of the port of Rouen and of the 13 agencies infrastructure management Lavalin in France. This sale is not a surprise: for the past several months, the quebec group, which has a turnover of 7 billion euros, did not hide that he wanted to withdraw from France. At the end of August, he had recognized to study the takeover offer proposed by Ciclad and Jean-Luc Schnoebelen. This duo had already preferences Lavalin, even if a heavy weight CONSTRUCTION and concessions, Eiffage, was also on the ranks.

The issue is not insignificant : Lavalin employs 1100 persons in France, including 400 on the hubs

This summer, the mayor of Brive-la-Gaillarde, Frédéric Soulier, where there is an agency Lavalin, had been alerted by mail to François Hollande on the risks in terms of the job that was run, according to him, this cover by this duo of French entrepreneurs. “According to my information, the investment fund carries no corporate vision for our country and no guarantee as to the sustainability of settlements, regional agencies, SNC-Lavalin,” said Frédéric Soulier in his missive. The issue is not insignificant: Lavalin employs 1100 persons in France, including 400 on the hubs.

This has not prevented Lavalin to sell its French subsidiary to Edeis. “It was the best option on the economic plan for our company and our stakeholders, as well as to ensure the continuation of activities for customers and employees in France and Monaco”, stated Ian Edwards, president, infrastructure, SNC-Lavalin. The buyer is committed to ensure the sustainability of its activities. All of this without any negative impact on employment.