German giant Bechtle has bought a Swiss IT specialist in infrastructure, business and cloud solutions - Steffen Informatik AG. It shows how demand for specific skills in managed services and local markets is proving attractive to those with deep pockets. The company is expected to bring in its expertise in managed services and a broad range of cloud and outsourcing services on top of its established presence in the Swiss IT market. On the other hand, the acquisition will help Steffen Informatik to utilise Bechtle’s sales channels to grow its service business, it says.
Under the terms of a deal, the Swiss specialist, which was founded in 1989 and currently employs around 120 people at five locations, will keep its own brand as well as its management team of the four managing directors. The two companies are very similar in terms of their organisational structures and portfolio offerings, which is expected to additionally enhance its customer focus, plan to combine their operations in the Switzerland’s regions however no workforce reduction is expected.
Steffen Informatik currently has offices in Basel, Bern, St Gallen and Zug. “For us the merger with Bechtle provides a unique opportunity to continue in a new dimension and better support our customers. And the business prospects with Bechtle seem extremely appealing to us. After 27 years in the market, I see the enormous opportunities arising from a contructive dialogue between our customers, employees and manufacturers,” says Hans Peter Oeschger, a founder and managing director at Steffen Informatik, who will now be managing the Bechtle IT system houses in Basel, Bern and Zurich.
The other three directors at Steffen who will keep their jobs are Markus Oeschger, Christian Speck and Thomas Zimmerli.
“With Steffen not only we are well-positioned in the established market, but we’ll also gain 120 excellent employees and an experienced leadership quartet. For us Steffen Informatik is the first choice and a long-term IT partner for customers in the Swiss market,” adds Michael Guschlbauer, a board member of Bechtle.
Steffen Informatik’ sales revenue stood at more than CHF35m (€32m) for the full fiscal year.