On 8 March 2017, Paris based Suez and Canadian investment fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) announced the acquisition of GE’s water business unit for US$3.37 billion.
The highly anticipated sale attracted a reported 70 interested parties, including private equity, water technology & systems, and chemical companies.
GE’s impact on Suez arrives at a critical juncture, allowing the French company to quickly redirect its focus toward two areas of relative weakness and growth: industrial water solutions and the U.S.
In this Research Note, Bluefield water experts analyze the impact of the Suez-GE deal on industrial water markets. For more M&A analysis, see our upcoming report on Water Mergers & Acquisitions: Upcoming Trends in the Global Landscape.
Bluefield Takeaways
- Suez seizes on opportunity, pivots toward industrials.
- Big Water gets bigger, Suez leapfrogs peer group in rankings
- Robust M&A activity highlights perceived growth opportunities.
