Driving innovation for more than 160 years
CNIM’s remarkable story as a pioneering industrial company began back in 1856. Today, that same commitment to creativity, expertise and innovation is shared by all of the Group’s 2,500 employees.
1856
1856
The Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée (FCM) shipbuilding company is founded in La Seyne-sur-Mer (France).
1859
1859
The first steampowered and propeller driven armored frigate is built.
1881
1881
The French Navy’s first submarine, Le Gymnote, is built.
1917
1917
The first French tanks are built.
1947
1947
A new type of very rapid pressure-rising boiler is patented, and fitted on all ocean liners built in La Seyne-sur-Mer.
1960
1960
Partnership with German firm Martin, which specializes in grates for waste combustion.
1965
1965
The incineration plant in Issy-les-Moulineaux is opened.
1966
1966
FCM is taken over by Herlicq Group. The company is renamed CNIM.
1967
1967
France’s first ballistic nuclear submarine, Le Redoutable, is launched, with its missile-launching system having been developed by CNIM.
1968
1968
The first mechanical escalator is produced for the Parisian public transport network (RATP).
1969
1969
The incineration plant in Ivry-sur-Seine is completed, equipped with two boiler furnaces each having a capacity of 50 tonnes/hour (the largest in the world at the time).
1975
1975
Equipment is manufactured for an incineration plant in Moscow.
1981
1981
CNIM is commissioned by the French Army to construct a motorized floating bridge.
1982
1982
CNIM is awarded its first contract for producing mechanical escalators for the Hong Kong subway network.
1987
1987
CNIM is tasked by the naval industrial group Direction des Constructions Navales to develop a new missile launch tube.
1987
1987
Listing on the Stock Exchange.
1989
1989
CNIM takes over the British company Babcock Enterprises, both specializing in industrial boilers.
1990
1990
CNIM takes over the Belgian group Wanson, specializing in industrial boilers.
1991
1991
CNIM wins the contract to build a waste incineration plant in south London.
2001
2001
CNIM takes over LAB SA, which specializes in flue-gas treatment.
2002
2002
CNIM takes over Alstom’s waste treatment division.
2003
2003
The military applications division of the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA-DAM) awards the CNIM-THALES consortium the ‘Chamber Equipment and Integration’ contract for the Megajoule Laser project.
2003
2003
CNIM develops the SPRAT modular assault bridge (SPRAT: Système de Pose RApide de Travure – rapid bridge installation system).
2008
2008
The first prototype of the L-CAT® landing craft is unveiled. CNIM takes over Bertin Group.
2008
2008
Acquisition of Bertin and its subsidiaries
2011
2011
CNIM takes over Vecsys (voice technology expert) and IDPS, an institute that develops health products.
2012
2012
Contract for radial plates for the ITER nuclear fusion reactor.
2013
2013
CNIM acquires Geodur Recycling AG, which specializes in the treatment of ash and the recovery of metals.
2014
2014
CNIM’s principal shareholder, Soluni (the family-owned holding company), increases its stake in the group to 56.3%.
2014
2014
Acquisitions:
• JJSBF (over-the-counter medicines);
• INVEN (its cooling units and heat pumps business);
• Saphymo (equipment for monitoring levels of ionizing radiation).
2015
2015
• Creation of SUNCNIM.
• Takeover of AMI Software.
2016
2016
• Construction of Llo (France) solar thermodynamic power plant.
• Contracts for bottom ash treatment and ash metal recovery (Europe, USA).
• Disposal of Babcock Wanson.
2017
2017
• Acquisition of Exensor and Winlight (defense and big science).
• Sale of Bertin's pharma and biotech businesses.
2017
2017
Creation of CNIM MARTIN Pvt. Ltd. for energy-from-waste and -biomass in southern and south-east Asia.
2018
2018
Disposal of Bertin Ergonomie.
2019
2019
Acquisition of Cometal France and Airstar Aerospace, which becomes CNIM Air Space.