Wipro acquires European retail solutions provider

Bangalore, June 1: IT major Wipro has acquired Enabler, the Europe-based retail solutions provider, in an all cash deal of US Dollars 52 million.

Announcing this to newspersons here, Wipro Technologies President (Enterprise Solutions) Sudip Banerjee said the acquisition would help Wipro widen its footprints in Europe and make a foray into the Latin American countries for the first time. Enabler's proven track record in retail doman consulting and package implementation skills would help Wipro strengthen its position as a preferred solutions provider to large retailers globally, he added.

He said Enabler, with delivery centres in Portugal and Brazil, had over 300 employees, serving customers in various countries such as Britain, Germany, France, Spain and the Middle East. It had a turnover of over 30 million Euros during 2005.

Wipro's headcount would be strengthened by adding Enabler's workforce, he added.

Enabler Chief Executive Officer Antonio Murta, who was also present, said Enabler had been a strong partner of Oracle in bringing retail solutions to customers. ''This is a win-win partnership where our clients will benefit from Wipro's scale, range of complementary services and proven global services delivery capability.'' Mr Banerjee announced that Mr Murta would be Wipro's Senior Vice-President for global operations in Europe.

This was Wipro's second acquisition in the recent past, after the acquisition of Newlogic. Retail market accounted for 13 per cent of Wipro's revenue and involved a workforce of over 2,500.

UNI