This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27177762
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Siemens wants to discuss 'opportunities' with Alstom | Siemens wants to discuss 'opportunities' with Alstom |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Germany's Siemens wants to talk to France's Alstom about "strategic opportunities" raising the prospect of a takeover tussle for the French firm. | Germany's Siemens wants to talk to France's Alstom about "strategic opportunities" raising the prospect of a takeover tussle for the French firm. |
| Siemens contacted the board of Alstom to "signal its willingness to discuss future strategic opportunities". | Siemens contacted the board of Alstom to "signal its willingness to discuss future strategic opportunities". |
| It follows reports that General Electric (GE) wants to buy Alstom, the maker of TGV high-speed trains. | It follows reports that General Electric (GE) wants to buy Alstom, the maker of TGV high-speed trains. |
| GE boss Jeff Immelt is due to meet senior French politicians in Paris this week, reports say. | |
| Shares in Alstom jumped 11% on Thursday after a report said that GE was prepared to pay $13bn for the French firm. | Shares in Alstom jumped 11% on Thursday after a report said that GE was prepared to pay $13bn for the French firm. |
| 'Other solutions' | 'Other solutions' |
| Neither company has formally acknowledged takeover talks, but French politicians have expressed concern over the prospect of a foreign firm buying Alstom, which is one of the nation's biggest engineering companies. | Neither company has formally acknowledged takeover talks, but French politicians have expressed concern over the prospect of a foreign firm buying Alstom, which is one of the nation's biggest engineering companies. |
| France's economy minister Arnaud Montebourg has been particularly outspoken on the subject. | France's economy minister Arnaud Montebourg has been particularly outspoken on the subject. |
| Last week he pledged to protect French national interests and said he would study "other solutions and scenarios" for Alstom. | Last week he pledged to protect French national interests and said he would study "other solutions and scenarios" for Alstom. |
| It is thought Mr Immelt will meet him and other senior French politicians this week, to address concerns about a possible takeover. | |
| Alstom is one of France's biggest private-sector employers, with 18,000 staff across the country. | Alstom is one of France's biggest private-sector employers, with 18,000 staff across the country. |
| As well as making trains and signalling equipment it also makes turbines for the power industry. | As well as making trains and signalling equipment it also makes turbines for the power industry. |