Suez (company, 1997–2008)
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Utilities |
| Predecessor | Compagnie de Suez, Lyonnaise des Eaux |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Defunct | 22 July 2008 |
| Fate | Merged with Gaz de France to form GDF Suez (later Engie) |
| Headquarters | Paris, 8th arrondissement , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Water supply, electricity, natural gas distribution, waste management |
Suez S.A., which operated under the name Suez-Lyonnaise des eaux between 1997 and 2001, was a prominent French multinational corporation based in Paris's 8th arrondissement. Its primary business activities encompassed water supply, electricity, natural gas distribution, and waste management. Established through the 1997 merger of Compagnie de Suez and the well-known French water company Lyonnaise des Eaux, Suez also owned media and telecommunications assets during the early 2000s before divesting these holdings. By 2004/2005, the company provided services to approximately 117.4 million people worldwide. On 22 July 2008, Suez merged with Gaz de France, forming GDF Suez (later rebranded as Engie in 2015). Subsequently, its water and waste divisions were separated into the publicly listed firm Suez Environnement.
History
The origins of Suez date back to 1822 with the establishment of the Algemeene Nederlandsche Maatschappij ter begunstiging van de volksvlijt by King William I of the Netherlands. Over nearly two centuries, the company underwent numerous mergers and structural changes, eventually adopting its name from the Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez, recognized for constructing the Suez Canal in the mid-19th century.
Merger with Gaz de France
On February 25, 2006, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced plans for a merger between Suez and Gaz de France, creating what would become the largest liquefied natural gas enterprise globally. In 2005, GDF reported revenues near €22.4 billion, while Suez's revenues amounted to about €41.5 billion. The CGT trade union opposed the deal, labeling it a "disguised privatization."
By September 3, 2007, both Gaz de France and Suez reached an agreement on merger conditions: an exchange ratio of 21 GDF shares for every 22 Suez shares through Suez being absorbed by GDF. The French government maintained a stake exceeding 35% in the newly merged company, GDF Suez. To comply with European Commission regulations, on May 29, 2008, Suez sold its Belgian gas supplier Distrigas to Italy’s Eni for €2.7 billion. The official creation of GDF Suez took place on July 22, 2008, with combined annual revenues totaling €74 billion.
Currently part of Engie
- Suez Energy International – energy sector operations
- Electrabel – European electricity provider (market leader in Belgium)
- Tractebel Engineering – global engineering consultancy
- – services for building management and facilities
Currently part of SUEZ
- Sita — waste management services
- Suez Environnement — operations in water and waste sectors
- Degrémont — engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater treatment
- United Water — water service provider in the United States and Adelaide, Australia
- Grupo Agbar — water supply and waste management company
- Purite Ltd — specialist in water purification
- GE Water and Process Technologies (including Ionics, Ecolochem, ZENON, Osmonics)
- Driplex Water Engineering Pvt. Ltd.
- Driplex Water Engineering International Pvt. Ltd.