Logica acquires US group for $35m

LOGICA, THE computer services group, yesterday expanded its presence across the Atlantic with the acquisition of Carnegie, a US group specialising in call centres, for $35m, writes Peter Thal Larsen.

The deal means about 20 per cent of Logica's revenues now come from the US. The group also hinted that there were further acquisitions in the pipeline.

Carnegie, which is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, sets up sophisticated call centre management systems for large companies such as telecom operators. The business fits well with Logica's existing operations, which concentrate on the telecom, finance and utilities sectors - all of which are large users of call centres.

The deal takes Logica's spending on acquisitions over the past few years to about pounds 120m. Mario Anid, Logica's corporate development director, said the deal strengthened the group's presence in the important US market.

Carnegie generated revenues of $29.4m in the year to last September, but made a pre-tax profit of just $.2m.