From what I have read most of the French component makers that Sachs bought were about to go out of business due to the French bicycle business having gone down the tube at the time. If Sachs had not bought them they would likely have vanished anyway with the exception of Sedis chains.

As far as the old poster who claimed F&S, and other German companies, invented much of the modern bicycle this is only partly true. They did develop the first commonly used freewheel and a very early coaster brake. Per my understanding Sturmey Archer developed the 3 speed IGH a year or two before the Sachs version and there were several English 2 speed IGH units made before the SA 3 speed unit. American makers were also major innovators in the 1890s through early 1900s too.