Form 6-K
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of March 2004
Commission File Number: 1-14836
ALSTOM
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
25, avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris, France
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yes No X
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yes No X
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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant, by furnishing the information
contained in this Form, is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b)
Enclosures:
Press release dated February 25, 2004, "Renfe Awards ALSTOM-CAF
Consortium Two Orders For A Total Value Of Over €1.7 Billion"
Press release dated March 1, 2004, "Cisalpino Awards ALSTOM an Order
Worth More Than 300 million Euros for Tilting Trains"
Press release dated March 10, 2004 re Board of Directors meeting
Press release dated March 10, 2004, "ALSTOM Wins 330 Million Euro
Contract for Maintenance of Rolling Stock and Infrastructure in
Melbourne"
Press release dated March 10, 2004, "ALSTOM to Build a Steam Power
Plant in Saudi Arabia for 675 Million Euros"
Press release dated March 15, 2004, "MSC Selects ALSTOM for Two Cruise
Ships"
Press release dated March 18, 2004, "Gaz De France Confirms to ALSTOM
Its Intention to Build a Second 153,000M³ LNG Carrier"
Press release dated March 19, 2004, "Trenitalia Places Pendolino Train
Order With ALSTOM Worth 240 Million Euros"
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ALSTOM
Date: March 22, 2004 By: /s/ Philippe Jaffré
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Name: Philippe Jaffré
Title: Chief Financial Officer
25 February 2004
RENFE AWARDS ALSTOM-CAF CONSORTIUM TWO ORDERS
FOR A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER €1.7 BILLION
RENFE, the Spanish national railway company, has notified a consortium of ALSTOM
and CAF of the award of an order worth €1777million for the supply (€937
million) and maintenance (€840 million) of 30 high-speed trains (shuttle) and 45
high-speed trains (variable gauge).
ALSTOM leads the consortium for the supply and maintenance of 30 trains
(shuttle) and its participation in the order is €476 million. It also
participates in the mechanical construction, electric equipment supply and
maintenance of the 45 variable gauge units, worth €551 million. ALSTOM's total
share of these contracts, including maintenance, is €1027 million.
Contractual details remain to be finalized before signature, and ALSTOM intends
to book the order in the coming financial year which will start the 1st April
2004.
The shuttle trains, which will have a top speed of 250 kph, will reinforce
RENFE's fleet for intercity shuttle service for the high-speed lines.
The high-speed trains with variable gauge, which will have a top speed of 250
kph, are destined for regional services and will be able to run on two different
gauges.
ALSTOM's Santa Perpetua plant and CAF's Beasain and Zaragoza plants will share
the work of building body shells and assembling the trainsets.
ALSTOM-CAF will also provide comprehensive maintenance services for a 14-year
period.
Delivery of the shuttle trains is scheduled to begin in October 2006, with the
first trains entering service in April 2007. The final delivery is scheduled for
January 2008.
Delivery of the variable gauge high-speed trains will begin in October 2006 and
end in May 2009.
Philippe Mellier, President of ALSTOM Transport, said: "We're pleased that RENFE
has chosen ALSTOM again for its high-speed intercity service, just as we're
delivering the first units of the previous contract for these trains that are in
test and that will enter into commercial service during the year. I would like
to underline that since the entry into service of the Madrid-Lleida line,
high-speed trains built and maintained by ALSTOM have been operating with
nearly 100% punctuality. This order once again confirms RENFE's confidence in
ALSTOM's high-speed equipment and indeed our overall leadership in this
segment."
Press relations: G. Tourvieille
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 23 15)
Investor relations: E. Chatelain
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 33)
1 March 2004
CISALPINO AWARDS ALSTOM AN ORDER WORTH
MORE THAN 300 MILLION EUROS FOR TILTING TRAINS
Cisalpino, a joint venture between the Italian railway company Trenitalia and
the Swiss Federal Railways, has chosen ALSTOM for the supply of high-speed
tilting trains.
Cisalpino has ordered 14 PENDOLINO trainsets for a total of more than 300
million euros. They will join the existing fleet, which has been in service
between Switzerland, Italy and Germany since 1996.
The seven-car trainsets will have a top speed of 250 kph and a capacity of 430
passengers. The trainsets will be built at ALSTOM's site in Savigliano, Italy.
Delivery of the new trainsets will begin in May 2007, and the last one will be
delivered in January 2008.
Philippe Mellier, President of ALSTOM Transport, said: "We are very pleased that
CISALPINO has shown their satisfaction with the PENDOLINO by choosing it again
for their high-speed services. The reputation of this tilting train is
unrivalled and these latest orders consolidate our leadership in this market."
Thanks to its proven active tilting system, the PENDOLINO train, can negotiate
curves at speeds 35 percent higher than conventional trains, with maximum safety
and comfort for passengers. Today, 285 trains worldwide are equipped with
ALSTOM's active tilting technology. Trains equipped with this technology have
traveled over 200 million kilometers.
Press relations: G. Tourvieille/S. Gagneraud
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 23 15)
Investor relations: E. Chatelain
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 33)
10 March 2004
Press Release
During the meeting held on 9 March, ALSTOM's Board of Directors examined the
figures forecast for fiscal year 2003/04.
The Board noted with satisfaction that orders expected to be booked during the
current fiscal year (1 April 2003 - 31 March 2004) could be over the previously
forecast figure of €15 billion, with estimated margins in line with ALSTOM's
profit objectives.
ALSTOM's operating margin in fiscal year 2003/04 is expected to be slightly
below the 2%/2.5% foreseen in November, mainly due to additional charges related
to the execution of a boiler power plant contract in the US (Seward).
Progress in implementing restructuring programmes should lead to the recording
of the related costs in the accounts earlier than foreseen : approximately €650
million in fiscal year 2003/04 compared to €450/500 million previously foreseen,
and around €300 million in fiscal year 2004/05.
The Board also noted that ALSTOM's free cash-flow for fiscal year 2003/04 is
expected to be between €-1,000 and €-1,200 million (of which €-800 million, as
expected, relates to former GT24/GT26 contracts). This performance would be
slightly below the previous forecast mainly due to the expected levels of
operating margin and restructuring costs during the fiscal year.
The Board noted that if these forecasts were confirmed in the actual results, it
would be necessary, in due time and with the agreement of ALSTOM's banks, to
amend the covenants relating to EBITDA and consolidated net worth.
Press relations: S. Gagneraud / G. Tourvieille
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 87)
Investor relations: E. Chatelain
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 33)
Forward-Looking Statements
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*
This press release contains, and other written or oral reports and
communications of ALSTOM may from time to time contain, forward-looking
statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Examples of such
forward-looking statements appear notably in all paragraphs commencing with the
second paragraph of this press release. Words such as "considers", "forecasts",
"expected", "objective", "would", "should", "foreseen", "estimated" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements but are not
exclusive means of identifying such statements.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
that the forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be
achieved. Such statements are based on management's current plans and
expectations and are subject to a number of important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives and expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include the inherent
difficulty of making financial and economic forecasts and the potential
difficulties ALSTOM could meet, as well as the time needed, in obtaining an
amendment to its financial covenants, if such amendment became necessary.
The foregoing list is not exhaustive; when relying on forward-looking statements
to make decisions with respect to ALSTOM, you should carefully consider the
foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events, as well as other factors
described in other documents ALSTOM files or submits from time to time with the
French Autorité des Marchés Financiers ("AMF"), including our annual report for
the year 2003-04, and with the SEC, including reports submitted on Form 6-K and
our Annual Report on Form 20-F. In particular, our financial year ending March
31, 2004 has not yet come to a close and the process of consolidating our
group's financial statements will not be completed for several weeks. Nothing
contained in this press release should be construed as a definitive statement
regarding our financial condition or results of operations at or for the year
ended March 31, 2004. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on
which they are made, and ALSTOM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
10 March 2004
ALSTOM WINS 330 MILLION EURO CONTRACT
FOR MAINTENANCE OF ROLLING STOCK
AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN MELBOURNE
ALSTOM has won a contract worth €330 million for maintenance of the
infrastructure and fleet of the newly expanded Connex network in Melbourne,
Australia. The contract follows the award by the state of Victoria of the
franchise for all metropolitan train services in Melbourne to Connex.
ALSTOM has managed the infrastructure and fleet of the Connex Melbourne network
since 1999. Prior to the awarding of the new franchise, which takes effect on 18
April 2004, the Connex assets managed by ALSTOM included 240 kilometres of track
with the related infrastructure and a fleet of 74 six-car trains.
ALSTOM will manage fleet maintenance, and an ALSTOM-Connex joint venture will
manage infrastructure maintenance.
The new contract extends the maintenance period until April 2009 with an option
to extend the term to May 2010. The assets that ALSTOM manages for Connex
Melbourne will be nearly tripled. Under the new contract, ALSTOM will be
responsible for the maintenance of:
• 830 kilometres of track and overhead wiring
• 89 substations and tie stations
• 208 stations and car parks
• 186 three-car Comeng trains
• 69 three-car Hitachi trains
• 40 three-car X'TRAPOLIS trains
Connex is gradually replacing its older Hitachi trains with new X'TRAPOLIS
trains built by ALSTOM. Connex has ordered 58 X'TRAPOLIS trains in all; the last
of the trains in the order is scheduled for delivery by the end of the year.
Philippe Mellier, President of ALSTOM's Transport Sector, said: "We congratulate
our customer and partner Connex on the award of this expanded franchise. ALSTOM
is proud to put its maintenance expertise, developed in similar contracts around
the world, at the service of users of public transport in Melbourne and the
state of Victoria."
Press relations: S. Gagneraud / G. Tourvieille
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 87)
Investor relations: E. Chatelain
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 33)
10 March 2004
ALSTOM TO BUILD A STEAM POWER PLANT
IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR 675 MILLION EUROS
The Saudi Electricity Company has selected a consortium led by ALSTOM and
including its civil partner Archirodon for the supply and construction of the
Shoaiba Steam Power Plant extension project. The value for ALSTOM is
approximately €675 million of a total €835 million for the whole project. The
formal contract is expected to be signed with the consortium before end March
2004.
ALSTOM has already supplied this site with 5 units of 370 MW, all of which are
now in commercial operation. Under this new contract, ALSTOM will design, supply
and install another 3 identical units covering the supply, installation and
commissioning of boilers, steam turbines, generators and the complete balance of
plants and systems. The boilers are designed to burn both crude and heavy oil,
using ALSTOM's tangential-firing technology. The contract should also include an
option to build a further 3 units on the same site which could be exercised
within 12 months. This would make Shoaiba the largest power plant in the Middle
East with an output in excess of 4,000 MW.
Philippe Joubert, President of ALSTOM's Power Turbo-Systems and Power
Environment Sectors, remarks: "This second project from the Saudi Electricity
Company demonstrates once more the trust in ALSTOM and the confidence in our
products as experienced world-wide leader in steam plant technology".
Press relations: G. Tourvieille/S. Gagneraud
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 23 15)
internet.press@chq.alstom.com
Investor relations: E. Chatelain
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 33)
investor.relations@chq.alstom.com
15 March 2004
MSC SELECTS ALSTOM FOR TWO CRUISE-SHIPS
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has just selected ALSTOM as the builder of
its new generation of cruise-ships. The contract will grant ALSTOM the
construction of two 1,275 cabin cruise-ships, with an option for a third
sister-ship. It will enter into force once the financing arrangements have been
put in place by MSC.
The two ships will be 294 metres long and just over 32 metres wide and will
comply with the Panamax standard. They are designed for cruises in the
Mediterranean and Caribbean seas. The ships' design privileges passengers'
access to sea views : around 80% of the cabins will have windows overlooking the
sea, and three quarters of these 'outside view' cabins will also have balconies.
The ships will be able to carry up to 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members.
The first ship will be delivered in June 2006 and the second in spring 2007.
When signing the contract, Patrick Boissier, President of ALSTOM's Marine
Sector, said: "We are proud that MSC has chosen to grant us its confidence in
selecting us for the construction of two new large cruise-ships, and we are
delighted to contribute to the success of our customer in the cruise market.
From our point of view, this order results from the fruitful cooperation which
has existed between our two companies over the past three years. What is more,
it backs up the right choice we made in positioning ALSTOM Marine on the
cruise-ship market, which will continue to grow on the medium- to long-term".
ALSTOM Marine has already constructed one 800 cabin cruiseship, MSC Lirica, for
MSC and will deliver her sister-ship, MSC Opera by May 2004.
In addition to these new orders, ALSTOM Marine's order book comprises the
cruise-ship, MSC Opera, two LNG carriers for Gaz de France, two Landing
Helicopter Docks (LHDs) built in cooperation with DCN for the French Navy, one
car ferry for SeaFrance, one oceanographic vessel for Ifremer, and a yacht of
over 70 metres in length.
Press relations: S. Gagneraud / G. Tourvieille
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 87)
Investor relations: E. Chatelain
(Tel. +33 1 47 55 25 33)
18 March 2004
GAZ DE FRANCE CONFIRMS TO ALSTOM ITS
INTENTION TO BUILD
A SECOND 153,000M³ LNG CARRIER
Gaz de France and ALSTOM signed a letter of intent on 3 July 2003 for the
construction of a 153,000 m³ LNG carrier, with an option for a second identical
LNG carrier. The order for the first LNG carrier was signed on 29 September
2003, for delivery at the end of October 2005. Gaz de France has just confirmed
the option for the second LNG carrier, in partnership with Japanese shipowner
NYK Line. The construction contract should be signed before the end of June 2004
with delivery of the carrier scheduled for the end of October 2006.
This LNG carrier will be identical to the ship ordered by Gaz de France in
September 2003 and which is currently under construction at the Chantiers de
l'Atlantique shipyard. Like her sister-ship, it will have the largest capacity
in the world for this type of vessel and will integrate innovative techologies
such as an electric Diesel-Gas propulsion system and membrane insulation based
on CS1 type technology (foam insulation).
This confirmation demonstrates the expertise of ALSTOM's Marine Sector in the
LNG carrier market: over the last thirty years ALSTOM has built 16 LNG carriers,
all of which integrated leading edge technology current at the time.
It also underlines ALSTOM Marine's strategic focus on high added-value vessels,
including cruise ships, ferries, naval vessels and scientific research vessels.
Press relations: G. Tourvieille/S. Gagneraud
(Tel. 01 47 55 23 15) - internet.press@chq.alstom.com
Investor Relations: E. Chatelain
(Tel. 01 47 55 25 78) - investor.relations@chq.alstom.com
19 March 2004
TRENITALIA PLACES PENDOLINO TRAIN ORDER WITH ALSTOM
WORTH 240 MILLION EUROS
ALSTOM has won a new contract for PENDOLINO high-speed tilting trains by
Trenitalia, the passenger and freight division of the Italian state railway
group Ferrovie dello Stato, for a total close to €240 million. The order for 12
PENDOLINO trains which will join the existing fleet, was awarded following an
international tender managed by Trenitalia, which also represented Cisalpino.
The seven-car trains will have a top speed of 250 kph and a capacity of 430
passengers. They will be built at ALSTOM's site in Savigliano, Italy, with
components supplied by other European ALSTOM sites.
Delivery for the first new trains will begin in November 2006, and the last
train will be delivered in September 2007.
Philippe Mellier, President of ALSTOM's Transport Sector, said: "We are very
pleased that Trenitalia has shown its satisfaction with the PENDOLINO by
choosing it for their high-speed services. This order consolidates ALSTOM's
leadership as a builder of high-speed trains as well as a pioneer in
cross-border interoperability. Including the two recent orders from RENFE for
high-speed Lanzaderas trains and from Cisalpino for 14 Pendolino trains, this
year ALSTOM has been awarded orders over €780 million for more than 50 trains
from the PENDOLINO family."
Press relations: S. Gagneraud / G. Tourvieille
(Tél. +33 1 47 55 25 87)
internet.press@chq.alstom.com
Investor relations: E. Chatelain
(Tél. +33 1 47 55 25 33)
Investor.relations@chq.alstom.com