NJJ, the personal holding company of businessman Xavier Niel, is expected to take over between 115 and 135 of the 235 employees of the France-Antilles group, as part of a takeover offer for the only daily newspaper in Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guyana, put into liquidation at the end of January, we learned this Monday from a source familiar with the matter.
"The offer will be filed (this Monday)" at the Martinique mixed commercial court, we learned from the same source, confirming information from the newspaper Les Echos . The Fort-de-France commercial court had validated last February 20 the extension of the activity of the France-Antilles group until March 10, in order to exceptionally allow the boss of the Iliad group (Free), but also co- shareholder of Le Monde , L'Obs and any recent purchaser of the Nice-Matin group to make a takeover offer.
Decision on March 10
The court, which responded to an urgent request by the public prosecutor, left until March 2 3 p.m. (8 p.m. in Paris) to file an offer. All offers will be examined by the Commercial Court, which will issue its decision on March 10 at 2 p.m.
NJJ wants to keep a daily edition of the paper edition, but could reduce its pagination. He also wishes to strengthen the digital offer of the newspaper, but also "to develop the group's event activity, through the organization of festivals or concerts", specify Les Echos .
Ten million euros of budget required
The objective is to achieve profitability within two years. The main lines of the proposed takeover were exposed Thursday by videoconference to employees of the group, we learned from the same source. In total, NJJ estimates the budget necessary to revive France-Antilles at 10 million euros. The State should participate via the CIRI, the Bercy unit which supports companies in difficulty.
France-Antilles has ceased publication since February 1. In an article published on February 19, the daily explained that "the continued activity of companies does not mean a return to work for employees. It is a purely formal and legal procedure ”. In addition, "the procedure for dismissing the 235 employees of France-Antilles is, by then, suspended but not canceled".
Media
"France-Antilles": Employees worry about their future as their latest issue comes out
- Guyana
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- West Indies
- Xavier Niel
- Hurry
- Media