Sopra Group finalises the acquisition of Callataÿ & Wouters
Paris, 29 March 2012 – Sopra Group (NYSE Euronext: SOP) announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Belgian company Callataÿ & Wouters (C&W), which develops the banking management software Thaler.
Sopra Group has acquired, in cash, approximately 80% of the share capital of Callataÿ & Wouters. C&W will be consolidated in the Group’s financial statements as of 1 April 2012.
This transaction is in line with the Group’s strategy to build a company positioned among the premier-ranking banking software publishers. Merging the two activities – C&W’s Thaler with Sopra Group’s Evolan – will enable the creation of a new entity capable of serving all solutions needs of the financial and banking sector. Today, more than 1,000 financial institutions in over 50 countries already use these solutions.
Sopra Group expects this transaction to be immediately accretive. Given the highly complementary nature of the businesses and the offerings, the Group expects to recognize synergies through both revenue growth and cost savings.
On a pro forma basis, 2011 revenue achieved by Sopra Group in solutions dedicated to the
banking sector total around €200 million.
The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
About Sopra Group
A leader in the European consulting, IT services and software development markets, Sopra Group generated revenue of 1.050 billion euros in 2011 and employs over 13,000 people. Thanks to a longstanding culture of excellence and strong sector-specific, functional and technological know-how, the Group offers its clients an end to end approach based on a well-honed business model. Sopra Group’s ambition is to allow its clients to successfully execute transformation projects that will give them a competitive edge and help them drive growth. Sopra Group’s savoir-faire encompasses prior strategic reflection through to the supervision and implementation of major IT and software programmes. For more information, please visit our website www.sopragroup.com.
About Callataÿ & Wouters
Callataÿ & Wouters is a provider of software and IT services to the banking and financial sectors. Founded in 1983, the company currently employs 600 people who are highly specialised both in IT knowledge and the specifics of banking. Callataÿ & Wouters has successfully delivered software to a large number of banks, several of which are international groups such as BNP Paribas, Rabobank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and Crédit Agricole. The company has set up a solid network of partners and integrators. It has a strong annual growth rate, while maintaining a remarkably healthy balance sheet and a high level of profitability. Forty percent of its share capital is owned by institutional investors, while 60% is held by the founders. The quality of the solutions proposed, the high degree of specialisation in the banking sector, combined with the experience acquired during the course of a large number of projects are key factors which have contributed to the current reputation and success of Callataÿ & Wouters.
