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UK Watchdog Probes Bouygues’ £6B Acquisition Of Equans

By  |  May 23, 2022

The competition watchdog has launched a probe into Bouygues’ €7.1bn (£6.1bn) acquisition of Engie’s construction and services business, Equans.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) set a deadline of 7 June for interested parties to comment on the effect of the contractor’s proposed purchase of Equans.

French-owned Bouygues announced plans in November 2021 to acquire Equans, which was created as a standalone business in July 2021, from fellow French firm Engie.

All parties have a significant UK presence and the CMA will investigate whether the deal could result in a “substantial lessening of competition” in any sector on these shores.

If Equans’ operations are successfully combined with Bouygues’ Energy and Services division, the enlarged entity is expected to have annual revenue of about €16bn (£13.7bn) and a headcount of about 96,000.

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