The Hindu Business Line : SSA Global to expand; plans help-desk

SSA Global, a $700-million enterprise solutions provider, is in the process of consolidating its India operations and expanding into additional space. It plans to establish an IT help-desk for its global support work.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SSA Global, Mr Michael E. Greenough, told Business Line the company was awaiting the US Securities and Exchange Commission nod for its initial public offering and he was restrained from making any forward-looking statements at this point in time.

However, he said by March-end, the company would set up a global IT help-desk in Hyderabad and further consolidate its operations here. It includes adding space and about 85 software professionals to the existing team of 450.

"We have grown through both organic and inorganic approach and the latter has added significant value to the company. At a time when consolidation is the order of the day, one way to add clientele is through strategic acquisitions. Over the last three years, SSA Global has acquired some 15 companies, including the most strategic one of Baan. We have invested about $300 million plus on acquisitions over the last three to four years and continue to look at such strategic fits.

"One way companies like us are addressing growth plans is through acquisitions. The recent acquisition of PeopleSoft by Oracle Corporation too is an illustrative case in point," said Mr Greenough.

The centre in Hyderabad and the ones in the US and in the Netherlands constitute the three most strategic development centres where work across product lines is seamless, both in terms of development and implementation and support, Mr Greenough said.

"This year, SSA Global will celebrate its tenth year in India. The Asia-Pacific region, along with Japan, has emerged strategic for our growth. India and China are among the fastest growing markets, though on a shorter base. But going forward, this could go up from the current 14 per cent (about $100 million)".

"Significantly, India has grown by about 70 per cent last quarter wherein we have over 250 clients, and China has witnessed a growth rate of about 50 per cent," he said.

While the company has cash reserves of $130 million, it also has debt of about $230 million. The IPO is aimed at part funding both the company's efforts to retire debt and meet its overall requirements. Along with SAP, Oracle, SSA Global is among the top enterprise solution providers having over 13,000 clients across the world, Mr Greenough said.

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