A REPORT FROM France's parliamentary finance committee has added weight to the concept of using a holding company to bring together Dassault Aviation and Aerospatiale.
The report suggests that the two companies could be controlled jointly by an umbrella state-holding company, but stop short of a full merger. Sources close to the merger had already suggested that Sagepa, which already owns Aerospatiale and over 45% of Dassault, could be used as the vehicle to bring the companies together (Flight International, 5-11 June).
Meanwhile, Dassault Systemes, the unit which produces the CATIA computer-aided-design system, is seeking share listings in France and the USA from the end of this month.
As much as 17% of the company's shares will be floated. The division is held by Dassault Aviation, along with the family-owned Dassault Industries holding company.
Source: Flight International
