Softtek reserves US$ 100 million for acquisitions in the IT market
Valor Econômico
The Mexican Softtek - specialized in information technology services (IT) - plans to invest nearly US$ 100 million in acquisitions by the end of the year. The plan is in line with the new global strategy of the company, which adopted the model of services divided according to business segments, says Francisco Lara, Chief Executive of Softtek for South America and the Caribbean. "We are looking for niche businesses that work with innovation and specialized offers for certain sectors of the market", says the Executive. The value set aside for the agreements will prioritize the Brazilian, American and Mexican markets. The division of the resources will be directly related to the business opportunities identified in each of the three countries, says Lara.
Brazil accounts for 29% of the earnings of Softtek and it is the second global operation of the company, only behind the American subsidiary. More than the potential of the local market, Lara says the country has been presenting new opportunities for growth in the rendering of services for Brazilian companies in process of international expansion. "The demand has been growing and we're realizing the clients want to be globally assisted by one single partner", says the Executive.
Softtek has identified the segments of financial services, Government, consumption and retail as the most promising for the company in Brazil. Such sectors, on their turn, are leading the search for possible acquisitions in the country. Besides those negotiations, Lara says the company foresees adding nearly 250 professionals to the 1.2 thousand employees in Brazil in 2011. Softtek also plans to invest in partnerships with universities for the training of new professionals. With earnings of R$ 170 million (US$ 106.3 million) in Brazil in 2010, the expectation, according to Lara, is to record growth of 28% in the country this year.