BrazilCGI adds 300 professionals in Germany with acquisition of CKC
Global IT services firm CGI has acquired CKC, a German provider of agile software development and technology consultancy services with a focus on the automotive sector. Around 300 professionals join CGI in the Northern part of Germany.
“We are pleased to welcome CKC’s professionals to CGI,” said Stefan Wichert, a Vice President at the Canadian-origin technology consultancy. “CKC’s services will complement our existing portfolio, enabling us to offer clients a broader array of solutions to drive their digital performance.”
Founded in Braunschweig, Germany, CKC helps its clients with a range of digital consulting and software services, including agile software development, customer experience, mobility, IT modernisation, IT information security and testing. The firm’s portfolio is supported by a number of integrated propositions, such as project management, change management and digital-led innovation.
Torsten Strass, CGI’s President for Central & Eastern Europe, highlighted how the acquisition will beef up the firm’s digital offering amid growing demand for such services. According to research by analyst firm Source Global Research, the global market size of digital transformation consulting has doubled over the past year, from $22 billion last year to $44 billion today. In light of the continued digital revolution – emerging technologies such as big data, internet of things, Industry 4.0 and robotics, among others, are set to disrupt businesses and even entire industries – consulting firms such as CGI are ramping up their capabilities and headcount in the field.
“IT modernisation and digital transformation are high on the agenda for our clients,” said Strass. “Together with CKC, we will help our clients further develop and implement their corporate digital strategies.”
The integration sees more than 300 specialists in two locations – Brunswick and Halle – join CGI's workforce of around 3,000 professionals across 15 locations in Germany. Globally, CGI has 74,000 professionals generating annual revenues of C$10.8 billion, which equates to slightly over €7 billion, making it one of the world’s largest digital consulting powerhouses.
While CKC works for clients across five major industries – automotive, banking, insurance, manufacturing and process industries – the company in particular has a strong track record in the automotive space. CKC works for car manufacturers, distributors and OEM suppliers, spanning the entire automotive chain. “With CGI, we have found the right partner to complement our expertise in the automotive sectors,” remarked Christian Krentel, who founded the company in 1989. Krentel and his management team, consisting of CEO Carsten Becker, who just joined the company, and CFO Karsten Kisser (serving CKC since 2008), will all join CGI’s ranks.
“Clients will benefit from CGI's end-to-end portfolio of solutions and services, including a scalable global delivery network and a commitment to operational excellence. But, perhaps most importantly, the cultural fit drove our ultimate decision to join forces with CGI,” concluded Krentel.
The bolt-on by CGI comes months after one of its rivals in Germany, SQS, acquired Moorhouse Consulting, a UK management consultancy, and Sopra Steria absorbed IT consulting firm Bluecarat.
Meanwhile, in France, one of CGI’s largest markets in Europe due to its Canadian heritage, the company won two IT consulting and technology contracts at SNCF.
