PARIS (Reuters) – Paris-based Butler Industries will join a consortium to rescue IT consultancy Atos, the company's main shareholder Onepoint said in a statement on Sunday.
Onepoint, which owns 11.4% of Atos, said last month it was ready to invest and organize the group's capital restructuring to protect the integrity of its assets after aircraft maker Airbus canceled a deal to buy the cybersecurity assets of the company in trouble.
The consortium's ambition is to “turn Atos into the European digital, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence platform, and the leading European cloud operator,” reads Sunday's statement.
David Layani, CEO of Onepoint, said he was pleased to have the support of investor Walter Butler, founder of Butler Industries.
“It is strengthening our OneAtos project,” Layani said.
With debt of almost $5 billion, Atos will hold a call with its creditors on April 8 as part of its debt restructuring talks.
Atos' cybersecurity unit houses some of France's strategic assets, including cybersecurity for the upcoming Paris Olympics, and authorities have said they are looking for legal ways to keep it under French control.
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