There is the question of the overall recovery of the group it was decided at the beginning of the formalised Athos now the negotiations with the French state on the resumption of the most sensitive activities.
In a press release, Atos explains that it has received a “non-binding letter of confirmation of an offer from the French state” regarding the takeover of the advanced computing, critical systems and cybersecurity products activities of Atos’ BDS division. The offer has a total value of 700 million euros. That is, an underestimation compared to the state’s first proposal. In April, the value of the relevant activities was estimated at between 700 million and 1 billion euros.
David Laiani, the director of OnePoint and the consortium responsible for the Atos acquisition, said on Wednesday near Les Echos that he wanted to do as much as possible “to protect the part of the so-called ultra-sensitive assets”. But he wanted to make sure “they’re not sold out.”
It is now up to the company’s board of directors, together with conciliator Hélène Bourbouloux, to consider this offer and discuss it with the state. “No certainty can be given as to the outcome of negotiations and the conclusion of a final agreement between the parties,” the press release states.
Other partners may still emerge
The issue of the resumption of Atos’ sensitive activities by the state has been on the table for several weeks. Economy Minister Bruno Lemaire has already expressed himself in this sense in the past. He specified to France Info that other companies could become partners to ensure that these activities remain under full or partial state control.
The activities in question include the design and operation of supercomputers, but also the development and maintenance of several systems used by the French military. These include security devices for Rafale aircraft.
Earlier in the week, Atos announced that it was entered into exclusive negotiations with Alten for the takeover of its Worldgrid subsidiary. Worldgrid specializes in the design of control systems for nuclear power plants.