CGI Enhances Presence in Poland with Comarch Acquisition Agreement

In a significant move to strengthen its foothold in Poland and the Baltic region, CGI (TSX: GIB.A, NYSE: GIB) has revealed its plans to acquire Comarch Polska SA, a prominent IT solutions provider catering to public administration. This strategic acquisition marks an essential step in CGI's commitment to expanding its capabilities and enhancing its services in one of Europe’s most digitally progressive areas.

Details of the Acquisition

CGI's wholly-owned Polish subsidiary, CGI Information Systems and Management Consultants (Polska) sp. z o.o., has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Comarch Polska SA. This acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Following the merger, over 460 new IT professionals will join CGI, elevating the firm’s workforce in Poland and the surrounding Baltic states to approximately 1,500.

François Boulanger, President and CEO of CGI, emphasized the alignment between the two entities, noting, "CGI and Comarch Polska share entrepreneurial roots, both organizations were established to deliver on the promise of technological innovation, and have achieved success through close collaboration with clients." He expressed confidence that this strategic merger will bolster CGI's public sector expertise and accelerate growth within the region.

About Comarch Polska

Comarch has been a vital player in providing software and IT services to the public administration sector since its inception in 1993. Noteworthy offerings include Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, tools for digital process management, document management systems, alongside consulting and managed services. This acquisition not only allows CGI to deepen its public sector expertise but also facilitates knowledge transfer beneficial to public administration agencies across Poland.

Comarch's CEO, Jarosław Mikos, remarked, "The acquisition of Comarch Polska by CGI illustrates that the innovative solutions we develop are competitive on international markets. This also reflects the maturity of our teams and our successful business model, which combines technology with a partnership-driven approach." Mikos highlighted that the integration with CGI would provide opportunities for Comarch to amplify its technological advancements and services.

Future Implications and Strategic Vision

With the acquisition of Comarch Polska, CGI aims to provide a wide array of digital and business transformation offerings to various public sector agencies, including those focusing on social security, health, and agriculture. Bartłomiej Nieścierowicz, Senior Vice-President and Leader for CGI in the Baltic states, pointed out that utilizing CGI's expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens new avenues for improving public services and enhancing administrative efficiency.

Tomasz Matysik, Director of the Public Sector at Comarch, shared his perspective on the deal, stating, "Joining CGI opens up new opportunities for growth, allowing us to strengthen our services and deliver greater value to our clients. Partnering with a global leader that balances local presence with technological acumen empowers our team to thrive within an international context."

Conclusion

Founded in 1976, CGI stands as one of the largest independent IT and business consulting firms globally, comprising 93,000 professionals across various domains. With a projected revenue of CA$14.68 billion for Fiscal Year 2024, the firm is poised to diversify its offerings and enhance capabilities through strategic mergers like the one with Comarch Polska. The implementation of this acquisition could set a new benchmark in public sector services in Poland and further establish CGI’s leadership in the IT services realm.

The collaborative nature of this acquisition aligns with CGI's mission to leverage local successes while optimizing global innovation, thereby ensuring that it remains at the forefront of technological advancements serving public interests.