Acquisition of CGL TEchnologies (Nov. 26/97)
After the Year 2000 Markets, New Opportunities in Asia and the Telecommunications Industry
Montreal, November 26, 1997
The Informission Group, renowned for its Year 2000 computer conversion solution and a partner of CGI and IBM Canada, has just acquired CGL Technologies of Montreal and its technological portfolio. CGL Technologies specializes in the design of high-capacity network management systems and real-time software, and serves major telecommunications manufacturers such as Nortel, from Canada, and Harris Farinon and Tellabs, from the U.S.
Over the last two years, the Informission Group has successfully carved out a place for itself in the market for converting computer systems to the Year 2000, in North America, Europe and, more recently, South America, thanks to the quality of its RECYC2000TM solution. The Gartner Group research institute in the U.S. has rated this technology one of the best in the world for converting large-scale systems.
With the new century around the corner, the Informission Group is now turning its attention to a very promising technological sector, the telecommunications industry. By pursuing this strategy, it intends to strengthen its international presence in new geographic markets.
Joining forces with IBM and CGI last year, to use our RECYC2000TM solution, gave our marketing abroad a real boost, especially in France,Italy, Spain and the U.S., says Luc Filiatreault, Vice President,Marketing and Communications for the Informission Group.
The Informission Group has always relied on research and development to produce tailor-made solutions for its customers, and R&D is also CGL Technologies main strength. Consequently, the acquisition represents a strategic move for the Informission Group, one that will allow it to combine its new partners skills with those of its own R&D team and its experience in international marketing. CGL Technologies has sales of $2.2 million, but boasts exceptional technological expertise, Luc Filiatreault emphasizes. With our knowledge of foreign markets and our support network abroad, he adds, we are preparing to make a strong push into a young geographic market, and into a new and very important technological niche.
The transaction is simply a first step for the Informission Group in its drive to conquer new markets. The company will soon announce the acquisition of two other specialized companies, in order to strengthen its position in the global market for information technologies.
The Informission Group is also preparing a financing strategy to boost its marketing in new economic and geographic sectors. We are working hard to create new business partnerships with private industry, in order to continue our expansion, says Jacques Topping, President of the Informission Group. We are also looking at the possibility of going public and listing our company on the Montreal and Toronto exchanges.
Exceptional growth
Since it was founded in 1985, the Informission Group has consistantly demonstrated the flair, entrepreneurship, know-how and professionalism that have recently won it international recognition. It has pulled out all the stops to raise its global profile. The company was a member of Prime Minister Chr‚tien trade mission to France in 1996, and of the mission to South America led by Bernard Landry, Deputy Premier of Quebec, in the spring of 1997, as well as Premier Bouchard mission to France last fall.
All its efforts over the past year have paid off. Thanks to its reliable and efficient RECYC2000TM solution, the Informission Group is now active in six re-engineering centres in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain. The company also has a presence in Argentina.
In less than one year, the number of employees at the Informission Group has soared from 130 to over 200 - a 60% increase. Its sales have kept pace over this period, also rising by 60%, from $8 million to $13 million. It has offices in Quebec City, Montreal and Saint-Laurent, as well as Los Angeles, California, and plans to open a fifth office in Ottawa. The Informission Group also has plans to introduce its RECYC2000TM software in Germany, England and the Netherlands.
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For information:
Luc Filiatreault luc.filiatreault@informission.ca Vice-President, Marketing and Communication INFORMISSION Group Inc. (514) 843-2001
Jos‚e-Michelle Simard josee-michelle.simard@shc.ca Jean-Marc Simard j.m.simard@shc.ca Simard Hamel Communications (514) 287-9811 |