A long-term investor
Wendel is a hands-on investor and shareholder that assists sector-leading companies in their long-term development. Wendel's business model combines the entrepreneurial passion born of a long family tradition with a culture of performance and accountability.
Press Release 2010
16 December 2010 Legrand
Legrand accelerates expansion in energy performance with the acquisition of Meta System Energy in Italy
Legrand announces the acquisition of Meta System Energy, an Italian company specialized in modular UPS - Legrand is thus accelerating its expansion in new business segments, this time in energy performance
Read more [+]08 December 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain signs with 24 banks a euro 3 billion credit facility with a 5 year maturity
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain today signed, with a large group of 24 banks, a revolving credit facility for an amount of Euro 3 billion, maturing in December 2015
Read more [+]26 November 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain and NSG Group Pursue Joint Expansion in Brazil
Cebrace announced today plans to build a new float glass plant in Bahia State, in northeastern Brazil. The new facility will be the sixth float line owned by Cebrace Cristal Plano Ltda, a joint venture between Saint-Gobain Glass and NSG Group in Brazil. The project will enable Cebrace to serve its customers more effectively in this fast-growing region.
Read more [+]10 November 2010 Stallergenes
Stallergenes welcomes Ares Life Sciences as a new reference shareholder
Following the announcement that Wendel had entered exclusive negotiations with Ares Life Sciences on October 28, 2010, with a view to selling its entire stake (around 46%) in Stallergenes, the company's Works Council met on November 10, 2010 - Stallergenes' Works Council having returned a positive consultative opinion at this meeting, Wendel and Ares Life Sciences proceeded to sign a firm transfer agreement.
Read more [+]10 November 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain and SAGE Electrochromics join forces to build the world's first large-scale manufacture of electrochromic glass plant
Saint-Gobain Glass has acquired 50 percent of the equity of the U.S. company SAGE Electrochromics for the large-scale manufacture of electrochromic glass. Activated by a low-voltage current, electrochromic glass adapts its light and heat transmission - and so its tint - to the level of sunlight and the building's ambient temperature, without hindering external visibility. It significantly reduces the amount of energy consumed for air conditioning, heating and lighting, and enhances occupant comfort and well-being
Read more [+]04 November 2010 Legrand
Results for the first nine months of 2010
Results for the first nine months of 2010: Vigorous rise in sales in new economies -Firm growth on new business segments -Target for 2010 adjusted operating margin raised again, to 20% - Legrand's consolidated sales for the first nine months of 2010 came to €2.9 billion, showing a rise of 7.5%. The rise at constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates was 3.7%. Adjusted operating income for the period was up 39% to €603 million
Read more [+]03 November 2010 Bureau Veritas
Q3 revenue up 16% to €739 million - Acceleration in Q3 organic growth to +6% - Growth in all businesses and stabilization of the Marine business
Frank Piedelièvre, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated that: "We saw very strong revenue growth in Q3 of 16%, with all businesses growing and the Marine business stabilizing. Given this good performance, Group total revenue growth in H2 2010 should reach the targets announced when the H1 results were published on August 26 and should be greater than 10%. For full-year 2010 we expect a slight improvement in adjusted operating margin1 on an organic basis. 2011 should benefit from the improvement in the trends seen in most of our markets, increased Group exposure to high-growth regions, and the integration of Inspectorate."
Read more [+]21 October 2010 Saint-Gobain
Sales for the First nine months of 2010: €30,007 million (+5.5% on a reported basis)
SALES FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2010: +5.5% on a reported basis; +1.4% like-for-like - SALES FOR THIRD-QUARTER 2010: +7.8% on a reported basis; +2.3% like-for-like
Read more [+]14 October 2010 Stallergenes
Significant growth fpr Stallergenes: +10% in the third quarter; +12% over the first 9 months. First €24 million instalment from the SHIONOGI partnership
Consolidated sales for the 3rd quarter of 2010 grew by 10% compared to the same period last year to €42.0 million, resulting in sales growth of 12% during the first 9 months of the year. Foreign exchange effects were negligible
Read more [+]13 October 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain launches the procedure for a possible IPO of the Packaging Sector
Following the Board of Directors' review of the project, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has begun preparations for a possible legal reorganization of the Packaging Sector with a view to carrying out an IPO.
Read more [+]12 October 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain and Trakya Cam announce the creation of a joint venture to develop their flat glass (float) activities in Russia
Saint-Gobain and Trakya Cam, a subsidiary of the ªiºecam Group, have signed a contract to create a joint venture owned 70% by Trakya Cam and 30% by Saint-Gobain. In order to take advantage of strong market growth in Russia, this company will build a flat glass manufacturing unit, a mirror production line, and a magnetron coater line in the Alabuga special economic area of the Republic of Tatarstan
Read more [+]11 October 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain accelerates its growth in the photovoltaic (PV) solar sector and sets up, with Hyundai Heavy Industries, a joint-venture in Korea
After launching the construction of a second Avancis plant in Germany (last June), Saint-Gobain has announced, in association with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.(HHI), the building of a third high-efficiency PV panels facility in Korea. This partnership between the two groups will take the form of a 50-50 joint-venture, called Hyundai Avancis
Read more [+]29 September 2010 Saint-Gobain
Successful bond exchange and bond buyback
Saint-Gobain has successfully placed €750 million worth of 4.00% bonds due 2018. The issue proceeds will be used to refinance €634 million in outstanding bonds maturing in 2013 and 2014 (with coupons ranging from 6.00% to 8.25%). In addition, to optimize use of cash reserves, Saint-Gobain will buy back €323 million worth of 4.25% bonds due 2011
Read more [+]09 September 2010 Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas completes the acquisition of Inspectorate
Bureau Veritas completed the acquisition of Inspectorate today, having obtained the approvals of all relevant competition authorities
Read more [+]06 September 2010 Stallergenes
STALLERGENES and SHIONOGI sign exclusive partnership agreements for immunotherapy tablets in Japan
Stallergenes S.A. has announced today the signing of exclusive partnership agreements with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. for two sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablet products resulting from the Stalair® program: Actair® house dust mite tablets and Japanese cedar pollen tablets
Read more [+]26 August 2010 Stallergenes
Excellent 1st Half-Year 2010 performance by Stallergenes
GROWTH IN FRANCE AND INTERNATIONALLY +13% - VERY STRONG NET PROFIT GROWTH +51% - FREE CASH FLOW GROWTH +91%
Read more [+]26 August 2010 Bureau Veritas
H1 2010 revenue: €1.3 billion, + 1.5%
H1 2010 revenue: €1.3 billion, + 1.5% - Q2 organic growth restored to 2.5% - Adjusted operating margin up 60 basis points to 16.7% - Growth of 9% in attributable adjusted net profit to €149.5 million - Organic growth set to gain momentum in H2
Read more [+]29 July 2010 Saint-Gobain
First-Half 2010: Sales €19,529m (+4.3%) - Operating income €1,445m (+55.4%)
Recurring net income: €580m (+176.2%) - Net income: €501m (+291.4%) - Free cash flow: €987m (+79.5%)
Read more [+]27 July 2010 Legrand
In the first half of 2010, Legrand sales were up 5.4% to €1.9 billion - Adjusted operating income rose 44% to €400 million
Strong growth in emerging markets - Continuing acquisitions -Target for 2010 adjusted operating margin raised again, to over 19%
Read more [+]22 July 2010 Legrand
Acquisition strategy continues: Offer for India's Indo Asian Switchgear
Legrand makes an offer for Indo Asian Switchgear, a key player in the Indian market for electrical protection devices - Legrand aims to pursue its expansion in emerging economies and significantly increase its presence in India.
Read more [+]15 July 2010 Stallergenes
Strong growth in the second quarter (up 14%) and over the first half-year (up 13%)
Consolidated sales for the 1st half-year 2010 grew by 13% to € 110.6 million, featuring significant growth of 14% over the 2nd quarter 2010 (compared to 13% in the 1st quarter)
Read more [+]09 July 2010 Legrand
Legrand accelerates development in emerging markets and energy efficiency by acquiring Inform in Turkey
Legrand takes control of Inform, the undisputed leader for UPS in Turkey - Legrand reinforces its presence in emerging markets and the promising energy efficiency sector
Read more [+]30 June 2010 Saint-Gobain
72% of the 2009 dividend will be reinvested
Saint-Gobain shareholders responded favorably to the dividend reinvestment option, with 72.1% of the total dividend to be paid in stock. This high reinvestment rate, which attests to shareholders' confidence in the Group's strategy and long-term growth outlook, allows Saint-Gobain to strengthen its equity by €368 million
Read more [+]28 June 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain Sells its "Advanced Ceramics" Business to CoorsTek for 245 Million Dollars
Saint-Gobain has signed an agreement for the sale of its "Advanced Ceramics" business to the US company CoorsTek, for a total (enterprise value) of 245 million US dollars (about 200 million euros)
Read more [+]28 June 2010 Stallergenes
Persistent efficacy demonstrated after a year on ACTAIR (R) followed by a second treatment-free year
After having announced positive results for the first year of its phase IIb/III clinical trial (VO 57.07) conducted on Actair® sublingual allergen immunotherapy tablets in allergic rhinitis triggered by house dust mites in April 2009, Stallergenes S.A. today announces the results of the second year of this study
Read more [+]22 June 2010 Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas acquires Inspectorate: a major step forward in its strategy to become the global leader
Bureau Veritas announces it has signed an agreement with UK-based company Inspicio, majority owned by private equity firm 3i and funds managed by 3i, to acquire its subsidiary Inspectorate for £450 million
Read more [+]21 June 2010 Stallergenes
Staloral® Mites 300 Clinical Study in China
The efficacy of sublingual allergen immunotherapy demonstrated in moderate asthma due to mites - Stallergenes S.A. announces the results of a phase III clinical trial (VO55.06) conducted in China aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (Staloral® mites 300) in adult patients suffering from asthma triggered by house dust mites.
Read more [+]07 June 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain to build a second plant to produce high-efficiency photovoltaic modules in Germany
As part of its solar power growth strategy, Saint-Gobain has announced that its subsidiary Avancis, will be building a new plant to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules to cover the roofs of residential, industrial and commercial buildings as well as solar plants. This industrial site will be located in Torgau, Germany
Read more [+]03 June 2010 Saint-Gobain
Pierre-André de Chalendar appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
At its meeting today after the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors of Saint-Gobain appointed Pierre-André de Chalendar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Companie de Saint-Gobain. The Board of Directors has also appointed Jean-Louis Beffa Honorary Chairman of the Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
Read more [+]03 June 2010 Saint-Gobain
Annual General Meeting of June 3, 2010
The Annual General Meeting of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain shareholders was held today in Paris. Shareholders present or represented at the meeting held an aggregate 64.9% of the outstanding shares. All the resolutions were adopted (by a significant majority)
Read more [+]01 June 2010 Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas acquires Advanced Coal Technology in South Africa
Advanced Coal Technology (ACT) is one of the leading suppliers of coal testing services in South Africa. The company, whose head office is located in Pretoria, was created in 2002, following the outsourcing of minerals testing laboratories by a South African mining group, operates three laboratories located in Pretoria, Witbank and Sasolburg, has 86 employees and generated sales of SAR78 million in 2009 (€7 million).
Read more [+]25 May 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain and NSG Group expand together in Brazil
Saint-Gobain and NSG Group have announced the construction of a new flat glass (float) plant in Jacarei, close to São Paulo, in Brazil. This manufacturing facility will be the fifth float line held by Cebrace Cristal Plano Ltda, the joint-venture between Saint-Gobain Glass and the NSG Group in Brazil.
Read more [+]06 May 2010 Legrand
2010 first-quarter results: Gains in emerging countries - Success of new products - 2010 target for adjusted operating margin raised to over 18%
In the first quarter of 2010, Legrand's sales rose 0.5% at constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates and adjusted operating income was up 38%
Read more [+]05 May 2010 Bureau Veritas
Q1 2010 Revenue of €628.9 million
As announced, activity hit a low point at the start of the year. Q1 2010 revenue dropped by 3.0% to €628.9 million - Activity hit a low point at the start of the year and the 2.6% organic decline in Q1 revenue was a slight improvement relative to the Q4 2009 level - Gradual return to organic growth during 2010
Read more [+]26 April 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain Sekurit and Trakya Cam expand together in Russia
On 26 April 2010, Saint-Gobain Sekurit and Trakya Cam signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to set up a 50-50 joint-venture specialized in producing and selling automotive glass in Russia
Read more [+]22 April 2010 Saint-Gobain
First-Quarter 2010 Sales: down 0.5% (down 2.4% like-for-like)
Saint-Gobain's consolidated sales for first-quarter 2010 came in at €8,737 million, versus €8,782 million in the first quarter of 2009, representing a decline of 0.5% on an actual structure basis and of 2.0% at constant exchange rates
Read more [+]19 April 2010 Stallergenes
Positive results for Oralair (R) phase III trial in the USA
Stallergenes S.A. today announced the first results of a phase III clinical trial (VO61.08) conducted in the USA on its sublingual grass pollen immunotherapy tablet, Oralair(R).
Read more [+]15 April 2010 Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain extends the maturitu and reduces the cost of a euro 2.44 billion bank facility
23 banks* participating in the revolving credit facility signed in June 2009 have today agreed to an amendment proposed by Saint-Gobain which introduces the following main changes: The final maturity of the line (currently undrawn) is extended from June 2012 to June 2013 - The current margin of this facility is reduced from 250 to 100 basis points over the Euribor rate, at Saint-Gobain's current long-term senior debt rating of BBB by Standard & Poor's and Baa2 by Moody's
Read more [+]15 April 2010 Stallergenes
Consolidated sales for the 1st quarter: sustained 13% growth
Consolidated sales for the 1st quarter grew by 13% to € 63.3 million (up 15% in 2009).
Read more [+]16 March 2010 Stallergenes
2009 Financial Results: Further profit margin growth and significant cash generation
Sales up +13% - Operating profit up 15% - Net profit up 17% - Record free cash flow of €17.5 million (X3.7) - Net cash flow position turned positive - Proposed dividend of 0.55€ (up 22%)
Read more [+]04 March 2010 Bureau Veritas
2009 Full-Year Results: A good performance in a difficult economic backdrop
Revenue of €2,648 million, +4% - Adjusted operating profit of €433 million, +12% - Attributable adjusted net profit of €274 million, +18% - Levered free cash flow of €310 million, +64% - Accelerated de-leveraging, net debt representing less than 1.4x EBITDA at December 31, 2009
Read more [+]01 March 2010 Stahl
Stahl achieves fully consensual restructuring
Stahl, the Netherlands-headquartered speciality chemicals group, has completed its financial restructuring, with unanimous consent from senior, second lien and mezzanine lenders as well as hedge counterparties for its debt-for-equity offering.
Read more [+]25 February 2010 Saint-Gobain
2009 Action plan: Ahead of targets - 2009 Dividend unchanged at €1 per share - 2010 Rarget: Strong growth in operating income
Sales prices: +0.8% over the year - Cost savings over the year: €1,100m - Second-half operating income and recurring net income well above the first half: respectively, +38% and +94% - Free cash flow¹ for the year above €1bn (€1,019m), and reduction of €1.4bn in working capital requirements (WCR) - Sharp reduction in capex: -€900m and tight rein on acquisitions, down to €204m - Balance sheet strengthened: €3.1bn of net debt paid down; gearing ratio cut to 53% of equity.
Read more [+]17 February 2010 Legrand
Success for Legrand's first euro bond issue
Legrand today successfully launched and priced its first euro-denominated bond issue, which is for €300 million over seven years. The maturity date is February 24, 2017 and the annual coupon is 4.25%.
Read more [+]11 February 2010 Legrand
2009 full-year results
Margins steady - Net debt reduced by over €500m - High level of investment in innovation
Read more [+]04 February 2010 Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas announces 2009 revenue of €2.6 billion and estimates strong growth in adjusted operating profit
Revenue of €2.648 billion: +4% relative to 2008 - Estimated adjusted operating profit of more than €430 million: +12% relative to 2008 - Estimated adjusted operating margin of 16.4%: +120 basis points relative to 2008.
Read more [+]14 January 2010 Stallergenes
Strong sales growth in Q4: up 15% - 2009 sales guidance exceeded: €193 million, up 13%
Sales growth sped up over the fourth quarter to 15%, 3 percentage points higher than that of third quarter 2009. The markets of Northern Europe ("Other EU") and the sublingual route drove this progression but the markets of Southern Europe had an encouraging recovery in growth over the last quarter. Other markets were affected by a negative basis effect due to the strong growth achieved in 2008. Organic growth, after restatement for foreign exchange effects stood at 13% over the quarter and 12% over the full year.
Read more [+]