2. 1 | P a g e
Key highlights on French companies in India
Amid the gloom of India’s falling economic stature and rising disappointment among foreign investors, there is the
unlikely success story. Even as foreign investment levels have slowed, French industry has been quietly celebrating
its rising presence in India. Globally, France is seen as a slow moving economy and its industry is considered
conservative. But, none of this has affected its growth in India. French investments in India have grown by more
than a $1 billion every year during the last three years.
Linked to 394 French conglomerates, there are now 1,051 establishments or French entities in India, which are
subsidiaries of either the companies or the groups based in France. These numbers are undergoing a constant
increase as the research data is from the year 2013, which actually reflects the data of 2012, and gives a list of 750
establishments linked to 350 parent companies.
According to current estimates, the French companies in India employ around 300,000 people (as against 240,000
during 2013), have a turnover of more than USD 20 billion (as against USD 18.5 billion during 2013) and have an
investment portfolio of USD 19 billion (as against USD 17 billion in 2013).
Major state wise distribution of French
establishments in India
Maharastra 306 29%
National Capital Region 199 19%
Karnataka 162 15%
Tamil Nadu 118 11%
Andhra Pradesh 62 6%
Other 17 states 204 20%
Total 1,051
Major city wise distribution of French parent
companies in India
Mumbai 119 30%
Delhi 108 27%
Bangalore 64 16%
Pune 37 9%
Chennai 29 8%
Hyderabad 10 3%
Other 14 Cities 27 7%
Total 394
The activities across the business sectors are extremely diversified. Amongst 394 parent companies, the ones
engaged in the service industry represent around 25% of the total figure (notably with BNP Paribas, Cap Gemini,
Havas, Sodexho, etc.). In the remaining 75%, the industrial sectors representing the biggest parts are
pharmaceutical – chemical (7% of the total companies, notably with Arkema, I’Oréal, Sanofi, Total…), aero – space
(5% with Arirbus, Dassault, Eurocopter, Safran, Thales…), agro – food (5% with, Bongrain Danone, Lactalis,
Lesaffre, Pernod Ricard…), electronics (4.5% with Crouzet, Gemalto, Oberthur, Safran, ST Microelectronics...),
construction mechanics (4.5 % with Alstom, Cermex, Legris Group, Poclain, Sidel,…), electrical components (4.5%
with Hager, Legrand, Schneider Electric…) and automobile (4.5% with Faurecia, Michelin, Plastic Omnium,
Renault, Valeo...).
Once these companies find their groove and move into a rapid growth pace, they would further establish the silent
revolution of French investment in India. The number of French establishments continue to grow in India and this
activity is expected to increase in the near future, primarily driven by the immense business opportunities in India.
3. 2 | P a g e
SAS Partners’ French Credentials
In the journey so far, SAS Partners has had the privilege of associating with credible French multinationals in
supporting their subsidiaries in India. Our scope of service to these companies have spread over a range from merely
providing relevant information to address their queries about various business aspects in India to completely setting up
the enitre operations for them to get their business started off in India. Some of our selected credentials are mentioned
below to explain the portfolio of services that we have rendered in the past and the capability we have built to
continue to support potential French companies in India.
Company formation and obtaining various corporate registrations for a leading French 3D solution provider,
which is one of the well established companies in the world to develop both active and passive 3D systems and
has established global presence.
Continuous corporate law and foreign investment advisory and compliance support to the Indian subsidiary of
a global player providing solutions for wealth management, alternative and institutional investment, employee
savings, insurance and savings, lending and leasing, etc.
Advisor to a French Tier 1 auto component manufacturer in their acquisition in India. We have done the
detailed research for target identification, target profiling, technical diligence, valuations, coordination with
tax and legal consultants for throughout the transaction process
Advisory on the regulatory aspects of various corporate, foreign investment, taxation, business, human resource
and other laws for a French EPC major with wide global presence seeking potential entry options to India.
Setting up Green Field manufacturing facility for a Tier 1 French auto component manufacturer near Chennai.
We represented the client and were their only contact point in India until their operations commenced. We
have provided end – to – end services including location identification, lease deed documentation and
registration, factory interior planning, designing and construction, obtaining all the requisite registrations and
approvals from the various regaulatory authorities, sourcing equipments, recruiting key personnel, vendor
identification, negotiation and coordination, corporate law and foreign investment advisory and compliance
support and coordination with consultants providing accounting, tax, payroll and factory support services
Competitors assessment done for a French power transmission and distribution component manufacturer for
the purpose of bench marking with leading players operating in the same line of business.
Strategic profiling of a potential target for acquisition for a French power transmission and distribution
component manufacturer with the objective of diversification.
Besides the above mentioned selected credentials, we are associated with French companies in providing continuous
corporate law and foreign investment advisory and compliance support many their Indian subsidiaries operating in
manufacturing, energy and infrastructure, maintenance and facility management services for industries, IT & ITeS,
financial services, etc.
SAS Partners continues to invest efforts in the Indo – French busines corridor. We are keen and confident to support
potential foreign companies which are aggressively considering business opportunities in India to establish and build
their businesses in India and promote better business collaboration with Indian companies. We have also taken some
initiatives on the vibrant ‘Make in India’ campaign of the federal government.
4. 3 | P a g e
Indo – French Seminar on ‘Make in India’ at Bangalore, Karnataka
SAS Partners Corporate Advisors in association with the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(IFCCI) and Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) conducted an
interactive session on “Make in India” on Thursday, 12th
February, 2015 at Hotel Le Meridien, Bangalore.
Mr. Sony George Mathew, Director, SAS Partners Corporate Advisors Private Limited addressing the gathering on the key
aspects of the Make in India campaign and the opportunities foreseen for greater collaboration between Indian and French
companies. Other dignatories on the dais are Mr. Eric Lavertu, Consul Genreal of France in Bangalore, Mr. S. Sampathraman
President, FKCCI and Mr. Tallam. R. Dwarakanath, Senior Vice President, FKCCI.
Esteemed panelists addressing the gathering on the regulatory framework, infrastructure facilities, availability of resources, key
challenges and scope for collaborative efforts between Indian and French businesses. The panelists were Mr. Olivier Camille,
CEO, Reitzel Internaional SA, Mr. Suckvinder Kumar, CEO, Eolane, Mr. Pascal Dhellin, Director, Decathlon India, Mr. Romeo
Ramesh Kumar, Head of International Purchase, Safran, Mr. Clement Ribeaud, General Manager, Atherm Thermal Solutions
India and Mr. Arun Subramaniam, Founder, Sustainability Platform had moderated the panel discussion.
5. 4 | P a g e
Indo – French Seminar on ‘Make in India’ at Chennai, Tamil Nadu
SAS Partners Corporate Advisors in association with the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(IFCCI) and Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) conducted a thoughtful and interactive
seminar on “Make in India” on Monday, 18th
May, 2015 at Hotel ITC Grand Chola, Chennai.
Mr. Philippe Janvier-Kamiyama, Consul General of France to India proposing the special address highlighting business
prospects in the Indo – French corridor. Other dignatories on the dais included Mr. Atul Chaturvedi, Joint Secretary,
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Government of India, Mr. C. V. Shankar, Additional Chief Secretary, Ministry
of Industries and Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, Ms. M. Laura Prasad, Secretary General, IFCCI, Ms. Merlin Simon,
Regional Director – Southern Region, IFCCI and Ms. K. Saraswathi, Secretary General, MCCI.
Mr. Alex T. Koshy, Director, SAS Partners Corporate Advisors Private Limited summarised the panel discussion and proposed
the vote of thanks. The panel included Mr. Atul Renavikar, Director, Michelin, Mr. Bharat Salhotra, Managing Director, Alstom
Transport India, Mr. Denis Bauer, Managing Director, Areva Renewable Energies, India and Mr. Nitin Seth, President, LCV &
Defence, Ashok Leyland with Mr. Arun Subramaniam, Founder, Sustainability Platform as the session moderator. The discussions
during the forum was focussed on the opportunities and challenges of doing business in India, regulatory environment, economic
progress, infrastructure development and the growing Indo – French business relationships.
6. 5 | P a g e
About SAS Partners Corporate Advisors
SAS Partners is a multi disciplinary corporate advisory firm with strong foothold in South India and over a decade of market
presence. We have served more than 300 businesses from diversified industries and have had the experience of successfully
associating with some global majors. We have integrated a versatile team comprising of finance, legal, business and
engineering professionals with credible industry veterans as our advisors. We have developed a good network with deep rooted
entrepreneurial, professional and regulatory relations across key geographies. We are a recognised institutional member of
Keiretsu Forum, a global investment community of accredited angel and private equity investors, venture capitalists and corporate
/ institutional investors. We focus actively in collaborating with various bilateral organizations for facilitating cross border
investment and trade. We have the privilege to be the pan India consultant to Brussels Invest & Export, Ministry of Belgium for
promoting outward Trade and Investment from India. We believe in quality and continual imporvement of our organisation and
have obtained an ISO 9001:2008 certification from TUV SUD.
Service Offerings
Contacts
SOY JOSEPH
Senior Partner
soy@saspartners.com
+91 – 98842 12845
SONY GEORGE MATHEW
Partner
sony@saspartners.com
+91 – 98846 56382
ALEX T. KOSHY
Partner
alex@saspartners.com
+91 – 98849 04699
SAS Partners Corporate Advisors Private Limited
20, Indiradevi Complex, Gopalakrishna Street,
Pondy Bazaar, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600 017
Phone: +91 – 44 – 2815 2673/74
www.saspartners.com
