FRANKFURT, Germany -- German engineering giant Siemens (IW 1000/35) is working on a joint bid with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (IW 1000/140) for the energy assets of French group Alstom (IW 1000/169), the companies said Wednesday.
However, sources within Alstom dismissed the joint offer, saying it would effectively mean a break-up of the French "national jewel."
Alstom, which favors a rival offer by U.S. giant General Electric (IW 500/6), "is skeptical and shocked. ... It would be a dismantling" of the group, the sources said.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Siemens said a statement that they have "joined forces in evaluating a potential proposal for certain assets of the French multinational conglomerate Alstom in order to strengthen the future position of Alstom, MHI and Siemens."
While French economy minister Arnaud Montebourg favours a tie-up with Siemens, French Energy Minister Segolene Royal recent came out in favor of General Electric's takeover offer.
Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser said the company "appreciates MHI's commitment to join our efforts, and I do look forward to working together with MHI to create a long-term oriented solution for Alstom, MHI and Siemens."
Kaeser's counterpart at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Shunishi Miyanaga, said: "MHI has been invited by Siemens to join forces, and we firmly believe that we can substantially contribute to a partnership solution for Alstom which will create value for all parties involved, including the country of France."
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2014
