Computer Industry France

After being courted assiduously by American computer giants International Business Machines and Hewlett-Packard, the French government Tuesday chose IBM as a partner for its struggling state-owned computer company, Groupe Bull.

France's Groupe Bull May Sell Stock to Employees: Jean-Marie Descarpentries, chairman of the money-losing, state-owned computer maker, said he would like to allocate 15% to 20% of Bull's shares to employees, while allowing two or three outside partners to buy 10% to 15% each. Japan's NEC Corp. already owns about 5% of Bull's parent company and was cited as a possible candidate. IBM owns 2%. The French state owns or controls the rest.

France to Inject Funds Into Ailing Computer Firm: The government said it plans to put $1.22 billion into Groupe Bull in hopes of salvaging the computer maker so it can be sold to investors. The capital injection, subject to approval by European Community authorities, will begin late this year, Industry Minister Gerard Longuet said.

France to Inject Funds Into Ailing Computer Firm: The government said it plans to put $1.22 billion into Groupe Bull in hopes of salvaging the computer maker so it can be sold to investors. The capital injection, subject to approval by European Community authorities, will begin late this year, Industry Minister Gerard Longuet said.

Can a nation that worships Jerry Lewis and Mickey Rourke really teach America a thing or two about industrial policy? Mais oui, mon ami . . . particularly if you're interested in how not to do it. Consider Groupe Bull, France's state-sponsored computer giant. To call Bull the "Jerry Lewis of global computing companies" would be unfair. For one, Lewis is a much better performer. For another, he has never cost French taxpayers billions of francs.

IBM to Buy 5.68% of French Computer Maker: IBM Corp. will purchase the stake in the parent company of France's state-owned computer maker, Groupe Bull, for $101.6 million, the group said. IBM's purchase of the stake in Cie des Machines Bull will close at the end of June, following Bull's planned $377-million recapitalization, Groupe Bull Chairman Francis Lorentz said at a news conference.

After being courted assiduously by American computer giants International Business Machines and Hewlett-Packard, the French government Tuesday chose IBM as a partner for its struggling state-owned computer company, Groupe Bull.

Can a nation that worships Jerry Lewis and Mickey Rourke really teach America a thing or two about industrial policy? Mais oui, mon ami . . . particularly if you're interested in how not to do it. Consider Groupe Bull, France's state-sponsored computer giant. To call Bull the "Jerry Lewis of global computing companies" would be unfair. For one, Lewis is a much better performer. For another, he has never cost French taxpayers billions of francs.