OPUS 2009 is the result of the Group's policy to give employees of foreign subsidiaries access to employee stock ownership while receiving financial support from their company. This option was already open in France, with the Group Savings Scheme created in 2004, and as announced in 2007 by our management, we believed it was important to extend it internationally. OPUS 2009 provides a single, consistent framework for all the countries that have access to it.
Those employees who so wish can purchase Biomérieux shares and receive the company’s bonus contribution so as to build up savings in Group securities on preferential terms with a free share grant.
OPUS 2009 will be up and running in may 2009 for the Group’s subsidiaries. Today, you are being given the opportunity to take part in bioMérieux capital under very favourable terms. This project is proof of our determination to develop the share of employees in bioMérieux’s capital.
Our success – and our future – is underpinned by our group’s value: integrity, professional excellence, protection of health and the environnement and corporate and social responsability.
I hope that this transaction will enable as many employees as possible worldwide to become part of bioMérieux business and developement.