Thomson-CSF
Defence Electronics | |
Founded | 1968 |
---|---|
Defunct | 2000 |
Successor | Thales Group |
Headquarters | , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Products | Avionics, radios, radars and more |
Website | www |
Thomson-CSF was a French company that specialized in the development and manufacture of
Thomson-CSF was formed in 1968 following the merger of
During the late 1980s, Thomson-CSF, anticipating defence spending cutbacks, conducted a radical business restructuring, merging its semiconductor interests with those of the
In December 2000, Thomson-CSF was rebranded Thales Group.
History
Thomson-CSF traces its origins to the formation of the American business
During 1966, CFTH merged with armaments and vehicle manufacturer
During the 1970s, Thomson-CSF received its first major contract in the Middle Eastern market. In this period the company diversified into several new sectors, leading to it manufacturing backend telephony equipment, semiconductors and medical imaging apparatus.[1] By the early 1980s Thomson-CSF was in a weak financial position with a high level of debt. While it possessed a diversified portfolio of businesses, its market share within the majority of these many sectors was viewed as being too small to be realistically profitable despite increasing business from overseas buyers.[1]
During 1982, both Thomson-Brandt and Thomson-CSF were
In 1983, it divested Thomson-CSF Téléphone , its civil
During the late 1980s, Thomson-CSF, anticipating future defence spending cutbacks and a downturn in its lucrative export contracts, initiated a restructuring of its businesses with the aim of maintaining its margins.[1] A policy of proactive external growth was adopted, focusing on the European market. Between 1976 and 1987, the company's non-French subsidiaries' share of consolidated revenues rose from 5% to 25%. During 1988, a new division, Thomson Consumer Electronics was formed. In 1995, this division was rebranded as Thomson Multimedia.[1] During 1989, it acquired Philips' defence electronics business, Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. During the 1990s, Thomson-CSF gained a controlling interest in Sextant Avionique, which was formed by the merger of the company's avionics business with that of French aircraft manufacturer Aérospatiale.[1] The company also divested its interests in the French bank Crédit Lyonnais and semiconductor manufacturer SGSThomson.[1]
During the late 1990s,
By June 1998, implementation of the finalised agreement had commenced.
Following its privatisation, Thomson-CSF continued to orient itself toward the defence electronics sector, establishing itself in overseas nations, including South Africa, Australia, South Korea and Singapore.[1] Shortly after its privatisation, the company began exploring the possibility of merging with British defence specialist Marconi Electronic Systems. Its ambitions were foiled by the success of a rival bid by the defence and aerospace firm British Aerospace, which rebranded itself as BAE Systems shortly thereafter. Keen to expand its defence and technology business, Thomson-CSF announced the acquisition of the British defence electronics company Racal Electronics, which it purchased for £1.3 billion. As a result of its takeover of Racal, the UK became Thomson-CSF's second-largest domestic industrial base after France. Racal was initially rebranded Thomson-CSF Racal plc.[1]
Shortly after the Racal acquisition, Thomson-CSF conducted a strategic review of its portfolio of businesses. It adopted a new organisational structure comprising three business areas: defence, aerospace and information technology.[1] Management decided that the company ought to leverage its dual-purpose technology, marketing itself at particular civil markets that held strong parallels with its established defence and aerospace competencies, such as mobile telecommunications. Meanwhile, non-strategic assets were divested.[1] Thomson-CSF also explored business opportunities further afield. In December 2000, it was announced that the company was forming a joint venture with the American defence company Raytheon. This arrangement was claimed to be first transatlantic joint venture in the defence sector.[1]
During December 2000, Thomson-CSF was officially rebranded as Thales (from the Greek philosopher
See also
- Vantiva, which Thompson-CSF was a part of, when Vantiva was known as the Thomson Group
- STMicroelectronics, formed by the merger of Thompson-CSF's semiconductor business (Thomson Semiconducteurs) with an Italian semiconductor company
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "History". Thales Group. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Godsmark, Chris and John Lichfield. "Airbus set for privatisation as France abandons objection." The Independent, 28 August 1997.
- ^ "Déclaration de M. Lionel Jospin, Premier ministre, sur le regroupement d'Aérospatiale-Matra et de Dasa et sur son importance pour la construction européenne dans les domaines de l'aéronautique civile et militaire, Strasbourg le 14 octobre 1999." discours.vie-publique.fr, 14 October 1999.
- ^ "Thomson-CSF changes name to Thales". www.aerospaceonline.com. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Thomson-CSF to become Thales". money.cnn.com. 6 December 2000. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
Further reading
- ISBN 978-2221100820.
- L'entreprise partagée ? Une pratique différente des relations sociales : l'expérience Thomson-CSF, Robert Thomas (pseudonym for a team-work with Pierre Beretti and Jean-Pierre Thiollet), Paris, Maxima-Laurent du Mesnil Ed., 1999