History
History
Join us on a journey into the heart of Equans France’s history, as we explore our roots, which date back to the First Industrial Revolution.
Visionary entrepreneurs have been revolutionizing society for over 150 years
1861
Founding of Rineau
A small business in the Vendée region is founded, offering services in heating, roofing, and plumbing: the Rineau Brothers. This marked the beginning of the development of new energy sources—oil and electricity—as well as the emergence of new machinery in the textile and steel industries.
Portrait of Firmin Rineau, founder
1876
Merger of Goetz and Quiri
At the beginning of the 19th century, the world entered an era of modernization. At that time, to produce cold for the preservation of perishable goods, blocks of ice were cut and transported by horse to city centers. Butchers and deli owners needed it for the meat aging process. Brewers needed cold storage year-round to produce beer. This presented a real opportunity for our two visionary entrepreneurs.
The Goetz family made their fortune in the lumber industry by producing barrels for brewers. At the same time, Jean Quiri developed the refrigeration sector by producing ice blocks that would be used in the first household refrigerators. This was the very first merger in Equans France’s history: the Goetz and Quiri families joined forces to create Quiri & Cie. This new company expanded internationally. Ice cream parlors even began appearing in Indonesia, and breweries in South America. The company has forever changed our consumption habits.
1891
Founding of Grands Travaux de Marseille (GTM)
The “Grands Travaux de Marseille” began, and GTM was thus founded. Augustin Féraud, GTM’s first president, was initially tasked with providing the city with a modern sewer system. He expanded the company into civil engineering and electrical systems, as well as roads, buildings, and railways in France and internationally. It later merged with Herlicq to become GTMH in 1994.
1906
Founding of Énergie Industrielle
Pierre-Marie Durand founded Énergie Industrielle. Thanks to its founder’s determination and ambition, it became the second-largest electricity group in France. In 1921, it established its construction division: Entreprise Industrielle (EI). It would go on to build numerous dams, including the one at Tignes, the highest in France. It also distinguished itself through the electrification of railroads and the construction of high-voltage power lines.
1924
Founded by Verger and Delporte (V&D)
Jules Verger and Louis Delporte were master craftsmen in their field. In 1924, they founded their company specializing in electrical work: Verger et Delporte. Ambitious and resourceful, they built their company in their own image. They maintained a strong family ethos while infusing it with their entrepreneurial spirit. In just ten years, the number of workers grew from 10 to 180. The company’s success was exponential. In 1981, V&D became a subsidiary of Entreprise Industrielle (EI): Nouvelle de Verger Delporte.
1929
Founding of ETDE (Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company)
During the interwar period, reconstruction was the order of the day, and large-scale electrification was gaining momentum. Pierre Crussard founded ETDE (Networks and Communications) in France. This entity played a major role at a time when France needed to be rebuilt. There was a significant need for energy to industrialize and electrify the country. Responding to the challenges of its time has always been part of Equans France’s DNA.
1952
Founding of the Francis Bouygues Company
In the wake of the severe postwar housing crisis, Francis Bouygues focused on industrial construction methods. He thus founded the'Entreprise Francis Bouygues, specializing in industrial projects and construction in the Paris region. Gradually, Francis Bouygues established himself as a French leader in the construction industry. The completion of the Parc des Princes in Paris, in 1972, was the first civil engineering project ever undertaken by Bouygues. At the time, the “challenge” was immense. The Bouygues Group’s logo was inspired in particular by its work on the Parc des Princes project.
1962
Founding of SEITHA
SEITHA is a company specializing in the design and installation of heating, plumbing, and ventilation systems. Founded by Jean Rieux, the company develops innovative multi-compressor air conditioning systems designed for the hospitality industry. The company has expanded by developing its expertise in cleanrooms to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry.
1984
Bouygues Group Acquires ETDE
ETDE quickly established itself as a major player in electricity distribution in rural France. The Bouygues Group diversified and acquired ETDE, which specializes in energy transmission and distribution.
Martin and Francis Bouygues
1986
Acquisition of SEITHA by Entreprise Industrielle
EI acquires SEITHA, this is an opportunity for EI to create its own HVAC department. These two major companies have left a lasting mark on the history of Equans France through their ability to carry out the necessary mergers and acquisitions.
1988
Rineau Frères joins FABRICOM and becomes part of the SUEZ Group
In the 1950s, Rineau Frères expanded its operations internationally, particularly to the Middle East and Algeria. Rineau Frères established production facilities in Paris and throughout western France, while maintaining its engineering offices in Nantes. After more than a century of family-run and regional entrepreneurship, this small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) was acquired by FABRICOM in 1988. Rineau Frères moved beyond its reputation as a regional company to take on a much larger role within FABRICOM.
1991
Rineau Frères Acquires QUIRI (FABRICOM)
The refrigeration sector, developed by QUIRI, is one of the cornerstones of Equans France’s history and has contributed to its global reputation. In 1991, QUIRI was acquired by FABRICOM, marking the beginning of QUIRI Réfrigération.
2001
Ineo and Axima were founded as part of the SUEZ Group
GTM began specializing in the construction of highways and parking garages in 1950. In 2001, GTMH merged with SEEE (Société d’Études et d’Equipement d’Entreprises), EI (l’Entreprise Industrielle), and V&D (Verger & Delporte) to join the SUEZ group and become Ineo.
Prior to the merger, Axima was already operating in Belgium. In 2001, it merged with Rineau, Sulzer Infra and GTI, thereby becoming the new HVAC division of the SUEZ Group. QUIRI Réfrigération also became Axima Réfrigération. Now operating under the name Axima, this new entity covers a wide range of expertise: HVAC, refrigeration, fire safety, and technical maintenance.
2002
Bouygues Construction’s Facility Management business is part of ETDE
The Facility Management encompasses a range of services related to the management and operation of buildings and facilities. By integrating the Facility Management business into ETDE, the latter is strengthening its service offering. Facility Management involves the ongoing management of facilities, including maintenance, security, energy management, and other services related to the proper functioning of infrastructure.
2013
ETDE Becomes Bouygues Energies & Services
To reinforce its position regarding the two key issues for its customers: energy efficiency and new uses, Jean-Philippe Trin, Chairman and CEO of the group, presents the new identity of ETDE: Bouygues Energies & Services.
Bouygues Energies & Services has evolved through the acquisition of more than 60 brands. Today, it encompasses three major business segments: network infrastructure, electrical and thermal engineering, and facility management.
2016
Launch of the ENGIE Axima and ENGIE Ineo brands
Following the change from GDF SUEZ to ENGIE in April 2015, Cofely Axima became ENGIE Axima and Cofely Ineo became ENGIE Ineo.
2018
Bouygues Construction Acquires Kraftanlagen
In 1923, Kraftanlagen Heidelberg was founded in Germany. It played a role in the construction of one of Europe’s first large power plants. In 2018, Kraftanlagen joined Bouygues Construction, and that is how the Energy & Services division was created with AXIONE, Bouygues Energies & Services, Plan Group, and Kraftanlagen.
2021
Launch of Equans on July 1, 2021
The energy services businesses of ENGIE Group, represented by Ineo and Axima in France, are now united under a new brand: Equans. A total of 75,000 employees worldwide.
2022
Bouygues Group's Acquisition of Equans on October 4, 2022
“ The acquisition of Equans marks a major milestone in Bouygues’ history. We are becoming a global leader in multi-technical services and strengthening the Group’s resilience. What our businesses have in common is that they are all community-focused service businesses, driven by committed and self-reliant entrepreneurs and employees. I would like to welcome Equans’ 75,000 employees to our Group. ”
2023
Bouygues Energies & Services teams join Equans
Bouygues finalizes the acquisition of Equans and reaches a key milestone in its development. The Bouygues Energies & Services teams will join Equans France on January 4, 2023.
From a handful of entrepreneurs to tens of thousands of employees, it took Equans France a century and a half to become a leader in the energy and services sector. Today, the company is turning its history into a strength for the future. The future of industry, the service sector, and cities—both in France and internationally—is being shaped by the men and women of Equans France.
We are proud to take real action—today and always.
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Do you have a need? Let's talk about it!
