The consortium led by the French company Onepoint, initially chosen to ensure the financial rescue of Atos, heavily in debt, has withdrawn its offer, the French IT group announced on Wednesday June 26, confirming that Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has renewed his interest in resuming discussions.
“The Onepoint, Butler Industries and Econocom consortium noted that the conditions were not met to conclude an agreement paving the way for a lasting solution for financial restructuring and implementation” of its project, announced Onepoint, led by David Layani, in a press release.
This announcement comes less than three weeks after his consortium emerged victorious in the competition for the takeover of Atos against Daniel Kretinsky. Its takeover offer was judged to be “better oriented in terms of the company’s social interest” by the board of directors of the French IT group, and the majority of its creditors.
A debt of 4.8 billion euros
Atos, technological pillar of the Paris Olympics, announced that it needed 1.1 billion euros in liquidity for its activity in 2024-2025 and wanted to massively reduce its gross debt, by 4.8 billion euros, to safeguard its activity. To “satisfy the group’s short and medium-term liquidity demand”, Atos indicates that it has received from its creditors “a revised global financial restructuring proposal”.
“Discussions are continuing with the representative committee of creditors and certain banks on the basis of this proposal with a view to reaching an agreement as soon as possible,” he added, while EPEI, of Daniel Kretinsky, addressed “a letter reiterating its interest in participating in its financial restructuring”.
A global IT partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2002, Atos will be one of the technological pillars of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. He will be responsible for managing accreditations, instant dissemination of results and even cybersecurity. Atos is also present in sensitive activities, including supercomputers used for nuclear deterrence.