HCL Technologies is acquiring Strong-Bridge Envision (SBE), a Seattle-based digital transformation consulting firm. SBE's 200 employees will tuck into HCL’s global Digital and Analytics business. Financial terms were not disclosed, though some reports peg the deal's value at $45 million.
SBE specializes in customer experience strategy, business transformation, and change management. The company was formed in 2017 through the merger of Strong-Bridge Consulting and Envision and has offices in Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, and New York City.
HCL Acquires SBE: Executive Perspectives
Anand Birje, corporate VP and head of digital and analytics practice, HCL, said of the deal:
“SBE will enhance our digital consulting offerings with their strong capabilities in digital strategy development, agile program management, business transformation, and organizational change management. These capabilities combined with our next generation Mode 2 offerings in Experience Design, App Modernization & Data Analytics will help us deliver end-to-end digital journeys to our customers.”
Renea Rayner, managing director, SBE, added:
“HCL and SBE share the same vision of offering innovative digital transformation solutions and services with a prime focus on excellent customer experience. This is why we view HCL as an ideal match for us. Our customers will continue to receive top-notch customer care and value-added support along with gaining HCL’s robust products and services offerings.”
HCL is India’s fourth-largest software services exporter.
HCL: Merger and Acquisition Experience
This is HCL’s third acquisition in less than a year. In June 2018, the company acquired German IT service provider and SAP partner H&D International Group for a reported US $34.7 million. In December 2018, HCL paid $1.8 billion for selected IBM software businesses including some classic Lotus Notes, Domino, and Tivoli products.
