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Atos, Capgemini to acquire IT companies in India
By agencies
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Thursday, 02 March 2006, 20:30 IST
PARIS: French information technology company Atos Origin says it wants to acquire a IT company in India to accelerate its growth and is in talks with several companies in this regard.
Atos Origin chief executive Bernard Bourigeaud also said that it plans to increase its staff in India to 2,500 by the end of the year from 1,500 now.
Bourigeaud said expansion in India is key to Atos's plan increase its Asian sales to 10 percent over the next 4-5 years from 4 percent at present.
"I'm in discussions with some firms. We hope to clinch a deal as quickly as we can," he said.
Though Atos was looking at acquiring IT services company, he said the company might also look at outsourcing firm if it was found to be in their interest. He also said Atos was more interested in buying a 'captive company.
Another France based IT company, Capgemini too is in talks with several smaller Indian IT players to grow in India. However it said it isnt sure if it can come out with deal this year.
"India is very exciting. IT developments are national pride. I think that we are doing extremely well but a consolidation would help us," Capgemini Chief Executive Paul Hermelin said.
"We are talking with several Indian companies," he added.
Capgemini is the fastest growing European company in India. With over 4000 employees, the company was hiring 400 employees each month.
"I think it is stretched compared to our size. So an acquisition that would increase the base, would stabilize the operation," he said.