APC 2014 Annual Report Download - page 27

OVERVIEW OF THE GROUP’S STRATEGY, MARKETS AND BUSINESSES
COMPANY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
Company history and 4.
development
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History 4.1
From its beginnings in steel during the Industrial Revolution over company, Spie Batignolles. Schneider Group undertakes a series
175years ago, to electricity and, more recently, to energy of strategic acquisitions: Telemecanique in1988, SquareD in1991
management, the Group has undertaken significant changes in its and Merlin Gerin in1992.
operations throughout its history. 1999: Schneider Group acquires Lexel, one of Europe’s largest
1836-1980: a Family Business becomes
suppliers of installation systems and control solutions. In May1999
the Group is renamed to Schneider Electric, to clearly emphasize
its expertise in the electrical field.
aMajorPlayer
Since2002: a Strategic Transformation
1836: Brothers Adolphe and Joseph-Eugene Schneider take over
an abandoned foundry in Le Creusot, France and, two years later,
create Schneider&Cie, focusing primarily on the steel industry. At the turn of the 2000s, Schneider Electric radically rethinks its
Schneider&Cie grows rapidly, specializing in the production of growth strategy, setting itself three goals:
heavy machinery and transportation equipment, and eventually ensuring a more balanced exposure to its strategic end markets;
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becomes the Schneider Group, a diversified conglomerate.
enhancing its portfolio of historical operations (electricity
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1975: the Schneider Group acquires an interest in Merlin Gerin, distribution, automation and industrial control) with adjacent and
one of the top manufacturers of electrical distribution equipment in synergetic businesses in order to boost its organic growth
France that has been involved in the electricity sector since 1920. potential;and
1981-2001: the Schneider Group refocuses
anticipating the future energy requirements of companies and
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individuals.
onthe Electricity Sector
This strategy led Schneider Electric to conduct a number of
strategic acquisitions both in mature countries and in new
1981-1997: Schneider Group refocuses on the electrical industry economies targeting companies offering complementary products
by divesting its non-strategic assets, such as its public works and solutions.
From Power&Control to Energy Management 4.2
Reinforcing leadership in Low Voltage Building a global leader in Medium
Distribution Voltage&Grid Automation
We were a long time leader through our Merlin Gerin and Square
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We have historically been one of the leading players in medium
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D brands. voltage electrical distribution products and equipment.
We reinforced our Wiring Devices and Ultra Terminal offer with
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With the acquisition of ArevaD (Areva’s medium voltage
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several acquisitions: Clipsal in2003, OVA, Merten and GET distribution division) in June2010, we became worl leader in
in2006, Marisio and Wessen in2008. medium voltage and grid automation.
We grew our portfolio in renewables conversion with Xantrex
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In2010, we acquired 50% of Electroshield Samara, a leading
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in2008. medium voltage company in Russia. In 2013, we acquired full
ownership of this company, transforming Russia into a key
We grew our presence in new economies with Delixi in China,
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market for the Group and enhancing our capacity to be a key
Conzerv in India (2009) and Steck group in Brazil (2011). player in the oil, gas and mining industry, as well as to develop
energy efficiency and smart grid.
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2014 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC