FRANKFURT, Sept 27 (Reuters) - German industrial group Siemens SIEGn.DE chose France's Alstom ALSO.PA over Canada's Bombardier BBDb.TO for a rail joint venture because of its sound finances and its management team, Siemens Chief Executive Joe Kaeser said on Wednesday.
"I must say I'm really glad to have won him over," Kaeser said of Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge, who will lead the new business, helping to counter criticism that France is giving up control of another national industrial icon. was a remarkable cooperation between two, obviously competitive, units," he added on a conference call with analysts, referring to the negotiation process.
Sources had told Reuters that Siemens was close to an agreement with train and plane group Bombardier but that talks were tough due to Bombardier's weak finances and desire to control any joint venture. declined to comment on any talks with Bombardier but pointed to Alstom's strong balance sheet. "Newco is going to be a very financially strong company," he said.