AMEC:SPIE

SPIE

AMEC currently owns 46% of SPIE, and has the option to purchase the remainder of SPIE at the end of 2002. In 2001, SPIE employed a total of some 25,000 employees and generated total turnover of £1.9billion.[lxiv] The investment in SPIE provided AMEC with access to France principally, but also other markets in Europe.

SPIE - About the Company
In 1900 the Paris Company for Electric Railway and Tramway Industries was founded to develop industries related to railways, tramways and the production and distribution of electric power. The company eventually changed its name to Société Parisienne pour l'Industrie Électrique (SPIE). Early in its history, SPIE was involved with building some of the first lines of the Métropolitain de Paris - the Métro - and before 1918 it had undertaken work on ballasting, track laying and installation of the third rail for several of the lines.
The Société de Construction des Batignolles, founded in 1846 by Ernest Goüin, is the oldest part of the SPIE group with the longest connection with the railway industry. Batignolles was involved with an early attempt at building a Channel Tunnel in 1882. Outside France, Batignolles was involved in the construction of railways in many parts of the world, often in mountainous terrain where its bridge and tunnel expertise could be used to good effect.
During the 1960's, Construction des Batignolles and SPIE became subsidiaries of the Schneider Group, merging to form Spie Batignolles. In 1989 the combined business acquired Drouard, a specialist in laying railway track, and became a major force in the design and building of high-speed (TGV) railway lines, returning to its early specialisation. The company was heavily involved in the construction of the Channel Tunnel, especially electromechanical and traction power supply equipment.
In February 1997, AMEC and Financière Spie Batignolles, a company owned by its employees, acquired Spie Batignolles from Schneider, changing the name to SPIE in 1998. AMEC currently owns 46% of SPIE, the balance being held by Financière Spie Batignolles.[lxvi]

SPIE and Railways
AMEC and SPIE have joined forces to win substantial rail work in the UK.
See AMEC website: http://www.amec.com/news/amec_december2000/frenchcon.htm

SPIE and Telecom
On 8 October 2001, SPIE acquired a 60.2 per cent majority stake in Matra Nortel Communications Distribution (MNCD) in a move that will enhance SPIE's network capability for providing telecom and distribution services to businesses in France and across Europe. Under the terms of the agreement, SPIE will progressively increase its shareholding in MNCD to 100 per cent over the medium term. MNCD has a turnover of approximately £150 million.
In addition to the MNCD acquisition, SPIE is also seeking partnerships with Nortel Networks and EADS (The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) in the enterprise, telecom carrier, defence and security segments.[lxvii]

SPIE and the Yusufeli Dam Project, Turkey
On the 14th of March AMEC announced that they had pulled out of the Yusufeli Dam. They are, however, still involved in the project via their 46% shareholding in SPIE (see Corporate Crimes section).

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References
[lxxiv] 'AMEC Investor Contacts', AMEC website: www.amec.com/investis/level2investors.asp?pageid=299 accessed 5 March 2002
[lxxv] Hemscott Business Directory, website: www.hemscott.co.uk/equities/company/cd00050.htm accessed 5 March 2002
[lxxvi] O'Dwyers PR Daily, Breaking PR News, 8 June 2001
[lxxvii] CBI CHIEF SAYS NEW DEVELOPMENT TAX UNDERMINES WELCOME PLANNING OVERHAUL, CBI News Release, 15 March 2002, CBI website: www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/press.nsf/0363c1f07c6ca12a8025671c00381cc7/b8e10fea6717210d80256b7c005dca80?OpenDocument accessed 18 March 2002