There are two cases. Both concern the six-month battle in 2006 to create the steel group, Arcelor Mittal, by far the largest steel company in the world, combining as it did the two largest companies.

There are two cases. Both concern the six-month battle in 2006 to create the steel group, Arcelor Mittal, by far the largest steel company in the world, combining as it did the two largest companies.

The Wendel and CGIP cases tell the story of a business family, the Wendel, over a period of nearly three centuries. The Wendel case (A) describes how the company, founded in 1704, developed over 270 years under the stewardship of the Wendel family, as a major player in the iron and steel industry. It also shows how it overcame a revolution, three wars, and several technical challenges.

The Wendel and CGIP cases tell the story of a business family, the Wendel, over a period of nearly three centuries. The CGIP case (B) shows how Ernest-Antoine Seillière, succeeded in building a strong holding company out of the family’s non-core businesses, left after the steel nationalisation. The case describes several key business decisions and deals, including with other family firms.