Company: Vinci S.A.

Founder: Alexandre Giros, Louis Loucheur

Industry: Construction, Civil Engineering

History:
Formerly known as the Société Générale d’Enterprises, the Vinci Group is a French based construction and electrical engineering company. The company is occupied by more than 164,000 employees. By revenue, Vinci is also known as the largest construction company in the world.

Founded by Alexandre Giros and Louis Loucheur, the former Société Générale d’Entreprises S.A. was formed in 1899. Later on, the company obtained companies like Sogea and Campenon Bernard (in 1988). Three years later, SGE obtained Norwest Holst. By the start of the new millennium, the company became known as Vinci. The company resumed its day-to-day business and acquired Groupe GTM in 2001. Five years later, Vinci acquired Autoroutes du Sud de la France, or the Southern Freeways Company.

In February 2007, Vinci finished acquiring the leading geotechnical specialist contractor Soletanche-Bachy. Vinci and its precursor companies has been active in several major projects that includes the Gariep Dam in 1971, the Tour Montparnasse that was finished in 1972, the Centre Georges Pompidou completed in 1977, the Yamoussoukro Basilica completed in 1989, the new visitor entrance to the Louvre completed in 1989, the Channel Tunnel that was completed in 1994, the Pont de Normandie completed in 1995, the Stade de France that was finished in 1998 and the Rio-Antirio Bridge, done in 2004.

Leadership:
Xavier Huillard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Yves-Thibault de Silguy, Vice Chairman and Senior Director